Let’s be honest, most moves rarely go the way you thought they would. Many times, problems occur that you did not plan for and have no control over. It could be that your new house is not ready yet, your friends who said they would help you can’t anymore, or any number of other possibilities could potentially ruin your moving experience. But whatever the case may be, the expertise of a Portland moving company could be the solution.

Moving companies are a big help when it comes time to relocate, but there is one thing you should always look for when deciding which company to use. Ask yourself, is it a moving storage company and/or does it partner with a San Diego self-storage facility? If you can’t say yes to either of these questions, move on to the next one. These types of companies are much more beneficial to you in the long run and will for sure make your move that much simpler.

Basically, these companies combine their professional services with the advantages of a storage unit. This means that they will have the knowledge to not only pack your stuff and transport it, but they will also know how to properly store your belongings the right way. This is why you should consider using these companies for your next move. Once you decide to do so, there are some steps you should follow to make sure you choose the right one.

The most important thing you can do is research the company online (or in a phone book if you still have one). You want to look into what others have to say about their services, whether or not they are dependable/reliable and how much they charge. Most of these moving storage companies will either have storage on site for your convenience, or they will be able to get you a special discount at the facility they partner with. They may also be able to work out a great deal on moving supplies, and extended insurance coverage on your unit.

After weighing the multiple options you have, choose a unit that is within your budget, offers everything you are looking for, and located in an ideal location for where you will be going. However, you may or may not want to sacrifice price for convenience. The location you want may be in the perfect place, but may be much too expensive. Do the math and make sure that this is more cost efficient than traveling a little further for a cheaper unit.

Once that step is out of the way, make an inventory list for all of your belongings. Not only does this make it easier for you to know what has been packed and what has not, but also it makes things easier for the movers. You can decide before hand what you want to go to your new home and what you want to put in storage. Movers have the knowledge to help you with these decisions as well, so don’t be afraid to ask.

After you have done all those things, it is safe to say you are ready for your move. Have a detailed contract worked out with your mover and clear communication so there are no disputes, as well as a precise schedule to ensure your move goes as smooth as possible. The convenience of this full-service solution will definitely help you enjoy your next moving adventure.

This article was written by Matt Schexnayder. Matt is on the SpareFoot marketing team and writes for the SpareFoot blog. SpareFoot is the largest online marketplace for self-storage with more than 5,000 self-storage facilities listed nationwide.