Free moving tools from O'Brien's

Most of the questions people ask before a move are about size, time and sequence. How big is the load? How many boxes will the kitchen take? Which vault fits a garage full of furniture? When should the address change be filed? The tools below answer those questions in a few minutes, using the same thinking an O'Brien's estimator brings to a home. Family owned since 1941 and working out of a 30,000 sq ft warehouse in Sparks, the crews here have seen how an organized start changes the whole move. Use the tools on their own, or bring the results to your free in-home estimate.

Tools for sizing your move

Size comes first, because every other decision follows from it. The Load Planner helps you estimate how big your move is, room by room, and it works without prices so you can use it before you talk to anyone. The home inventory builder goes one step further and lists what you own, which is useful for planning and for the itemized inventory a mover prepares before packing begins.

Boxes are the next unknown. The packing calculator estimates how many boxes your home needs, so you can order enough supplies in one trip. Boxes and supplies are sold at the Sparks office, and an in-home estimate includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes that are yours to keep.

Tools for storage and timing

Storage questions are mostly questions of space. The storage vault sizer helps you match your belongings to a vault. O'Brien's vaults are wooden, measure 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft, and start at $40 per month for vault storage in the Sparks warehouse. Plan on about 2 to 3 weeks notice when you want stored goods shipped back to you.

Timing is the other half of a good plan. The moving checklist generator builds a dated list of tasks so nothing waits until the last weekend. It covers the work that belongs to you, such as mail forwarding, utilities and school records, while the crew handles the loading, driving and unloading.

Tools for choosing where and how far

Distance changes everything about a move. The route lookup shows the distance and drive time from your city to Reno, which helps you judge whether a move is local or long distance. Moves between states are interstate moves, and O'Brien's handles them as a Bekins Van Lines agent, so the Bekins network carries the shipment while O'Brien's takes care of the Reno end.

Cost of living is part of the decision too. The cost-of-living compare sets Reno beside your current city so you can see what changes in everyday spending. For households on orders, the military PCS helper walks through the steps of a permanent change of station. O'Brien's is DOD approved to move and store military household goods, and bookings go through the installation transportation office.

From tool results to a firm number

A tool gives you a plan, and an estimate gives you a price. There are three ways to a price: a phone ballpark, an online request, or a free, no-obligation in-home estimate. The in-home visit is the most exact, because an estimator sees the furniture, the stairs and the driveway. Estimates are itemized and in writing, and long-distance moves are priced by weight.

To start, use any tool above, then ask for a free in-home estimate or call the office at 775-359-6683, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Estimators Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet cover Reno, Sparks, Carson City and the surrounding towns.