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Using moving pods is generally cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company, primarily because you handle the packing and loading yourself, which eliminates labor costs. The cost savings are most significant for long-distance or cross-country moves; for local moves, hiring a moving company might be the more economical option. Renting and shipping moving pods can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on factors like distance, the number of containers, and the weight of your items. Some services also charge a monthly rental fee of $75 to $200. In comparison, hiring a professional moving company for a long-distance move typically costs between $2,700 and $10,000.

The first step in moving a house is to provide blueprints and assess which parts of the house you can move. The next steps are obtaining permits, inspecting the structure, securing road permits, and getting bank approval.

When it's time to move, professionals can prepare the house by disconnecting utilities, removing items, and adding support braces. The house is then lifted with steel beams, jacked up, and placed on dollies for transport. Once it’s at the new location, it gets lowered onto the new foundation, utilities get reconnected, and additional features, like porches or garages, are added.

If you’re using a moving company, the best move in date typically occurs on a weekday in the middle of the month between September and April. Mid-month moves on weekdays are less popular and therefore less costly, and the weather will usually be less severe in the fall or spring. However, if staying on budget is your priority, a mid-month move on a weekday in the winter is your best bet at finding the best deal. 

Start by removing any obstacles in the moving path, such as side tables, lamps, or other furniture. If your couch has legs, unscrew them. Measure the couch and the stairway to ensure you have enough room; if it seems unlikely, examine the shape and size of the couch and decide whether it might fit better up the stairway and through doorways on its side, held diagonally, or moved in an upright position.

Consider putting the sofa on a dolly to go up the stairs. It should be able to fit upright on a standard dolly with wheels. You’ll still need to lift the dolly—with the couch on it—up the stairs, but it will reduce the physical strain. The person holding the dolly should pull the couch up, while the helper should be on the other side, keeping the couch secure and steady.

If you don’t have a dolly, the person in front should lift the couch slightly higher than the person in the back to create more stability. The person in the back should also be the stronger mover, as most of the weight will be distributed there.