Moving Experience: Joel’s Move with MovingYourself
After accepting a new job and deciding it was time to be closer to family, Joel Maust and his family of five prepared for a cross-country move from Kalispell, Montana, to Greer, South Carolina. Joel had already done the “drive a giant truck across the country” thing in a U-Haul before, and he wasn’t interested in repeating the mountains, weather stress, and long-haul fatigue. Still, handing off your household to a company you found online can feel like a leap of faith, especially when a service is newer and uses a brokered carrier network.
While Joel compared moving container companies and DIY options, he found our Better Moves Project and used moveBuddha’s resources, including our MovingYourself review. He joined the project, sharing his experience with MovingYourself in exchange for $500.
Move day takeaways for MovingYourself customers
Here are some insights we gathered from Joel’s experience with MovingYourself:
- If you’re trying to avoid the stress of driving without paying full-service prices, “you load, they drive” can be a solid middle ground.
- Expect a handoff in communication. Joel booked through MovingYourself, but the day-of drop-off and pickup were coordinated through the carrier/driver.
- Get your paperwork saved offline. Joel had a moment where his contract link stopped working after he submitted it, which spiked his scam radar. A quick email resolved it, but it’s a good reminder to download copies early.
- Clarify your trailer-space pricing before you load. Joel’s quote included 24 feet of a 28-foot trailer, with a clear overage charge ($271 per additional foot).
- Plan for the drop-off window at delivery and request a “driver on the way” call. Joel’s trailer arrived within the promised window, but he would’ve appreciated a heads-up as the driver got close.
- If you’re anxious about where your belongings are, a basic tracking beacon can help with peace of mind. Joel placed one in the trailer so he could watch the trip from Montana to South Carolina.
Joel needed help moving from Kalispell, MT to Greer, SC
Joel’s move covered roughly 2,350 miles, and the stakes were high. He was selling in Montana and buying in South Carolina about a week later, so the timeline had to work. Budget mattered, too, because moving costs were competing with a down payment and the many expenses that stack up during a relocation.
This wasn’t a light shipment. Joel estimated a 4-bed/3-bath home (about 2,367 sq ft) plus an oversized detached garage with some business/e-commerce inventory. He expected roughly 200–300 boxes, and the freight estimate came in around 5,200 lbs. (Specialty items were minimal, though he did have a pinball machine.)
His biggest priority was straightforward: hit the schedule and keep the final number predictable.
Joel’s move at a glance
Here’s a breakdown of Joel’s move:
| Move date | October 20, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Moved from | Kalispell, MT |
| Moved to | Greer, SC |
| Distance | ~2,350 miles |
| Move size | 4 bed / 3 bath + garage / ~200–300 boxes / ~5,200 lbs |
| Moving company | MovingYourself |
| Moving quote | $6,523 |
| Actual cost | $6,523 |
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Joel shopped around before deciding on MovingYourself
Joel priced out the “do it all yourself” route, compared container-style movers, and tried to avoid unnecessary risk.
Driving a U-Haul was technically on the table, but he knew exactly how stressful that can be and wanted his family traveling together in one vehicle.
He also got close to booking a different option. Joel had U-Haul U-Boxes reserved and canceled them at the last minute once MovingYourself’s plan, pricing, and timing came together. Availability played a role, too: PODS wasn’t available in his zip code, and that detour ultimately pointed him toward other solutions.
Here are a few of the quotes he documented:
| Company | Estimate amount |
|---|---|
| U-Haul (truck rental) | $5,000+ (plus ~ $1,000 gas + the stress of driving) |
| U-Haul U-Box | ~$7,000+ (with a longer transit time) |
| U-Pack | ~$10,000–$11,000 |
|
|
rating
4.23 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
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Joel chose MovingYourself to skip the drive without blowing the budget
Joel’s decision came down to three things: pricing, communication, and transit time.
MovingYourself quoted him $6,523 for 24 feet of a 28-foot trailer (8 feet wide and 9 feet high). That price was lower than he expected. The overage terms were clear, too: if he needed more than 24 feet, each additional foot would cost $271.
Joel felt the quote process was smooth. He filled out the company’s online form, received a quote a few days later, and got steady answers as he asked questions. That kind of responsiveness matters when you’re trying to coordinate a home sale, a purchase, and a tight delivery window, especially when your goal is to avoid the two classic DIY pain points: surprise costs and road-trip burnout.
Moving day went well
![[Moving Yourself trailer drop-off/pickup photo in Kalispell, MT]](https://www.movebuddha.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_8736-Joel-Maust-scaled.jpeg)
Joel said the company set expectations clearly leading up to the move. He received a detailed “what to expect” email a few days in advance, plus a text message that established texting as the best day-of-moving communication channel.
The trailer arrived at 8:00 a.m., on schedule, and the driver called ahead both for drop-off and later pickup. Since this was a “you load, we drive” move, Joel and his family handled the packing and loading themselves (with a lot of prep work beforehand: selling items, a multi-day garage sale, and plenty of late-night packing).
One hiccup: a paperwork moment that felt scammy (until it wasn’t)
Joel’s biggest spike of anxiety was about trust signals.
First, he received text messages signed from “Adam,” but when he called, he ended up speaking with someone else, which felt odd in the moment. Second, after he submitted his credit card info and signed the contract, the record of the contract seemed to vanish from the system and the link didn’t work. Joel emailed requesting a copy of the contract and received it, which resolved the issue, but his experience is a strong argument for saving copies of everything as soon as you sign.
Delivery was smooth and on schedule
Joel’s belongings arrived in 6 business days (8 calendar days), right on schedule. He rated the move’s timeliness 5 out of 5 because the drop-off, pickup, and transit dates matched what the company told him they’d be.
While the trailer was in transit, Joel checked in once and was told everything was on track. (He also used a tracking beacon inside the trailer, which helped him feel more in control.)
Delivery day landed within the promised 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. window, with the trailer arriving close to noon. Joel said he would’ve appreciated a quick heads-up when the driver was on the way, but the arrival still met the agreed timing. The driver placed the trailer where Joel wanted it, set up the ramp, removed the bulkhead, and then Joel’s crew of friends helped unload. The entire unload, all 24 feet, took about 2—2.5 hours.
Our take on Joel’s move
Joel’s story is a strong example of why hybrid moving options can be so appealing: he landed near the cost of driving a truck yourself, without taking on the hardest part (driving through long stretches, mountains, and unpredictable weather).
It also highlights the real psychological downside of brokered or multi-party moves: even when everything works, small inconsistencies, such as a contract link that breaks, a name mismatch on texts vs. calls, can trigger legitimate fear in an industry where scams are common. Joel handled it the right way: ask questions early, keep communication in writing, and request copies of contracts if anything looks off.
The verdict: How did MovingYourself do?
The biggest win here is consistency: Joel paid exactly what he was quoted, and the move hit every key date he was counting on.
he contract-link glitch and the weird name mismatch made Joel nervous at the exact moment you least want extra stress. But the company responded quickly, provided the contract, and the move itself delivered what it promised.
Here’s how Joel rated MovingYourself on a scale of 1 to 5:
- Communication: 5
- Timeliness: 5
- Quote accuracy: 5
- Overall experience: 5
Joel’s advice for anyone planning a move like his
Below is what Joel had to share for anyone undergoing a move similar to his:
Compare several options, including truck rental, containers, and “you load, we drive” services. Do as much due diligence as you can. Joel got multiple quotes, read reviews, asked questions, and trusted his gut when one option felt like the best fit.
Get crystal clear on space and overages before you load. Knowing the included trailer length (and the per-foot cost if you exceed it) helps you make calm, rational decisions while you’re packing under pressure.
Save your paperwork early, especially if anything about the portal or contract seems off. Download contracts, receipts, and any “what to expect” emails so you’re not scrambling mid-move.
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