How to Move
One of the most stressful aspects of a move is that you'll have to make many decisions quickly. One of the biggest decisions you'll have to make is
Full-Service Movers
By far the most costly option is full-service movers. For many people, full-service movers just aren't an option, but for at least a few lucky souls, this kind of moving service can reduce the stress and ease the physical strain of the move.
These services handle just about every aspect of your physical move. This includes packing your furniture and belongings, supplying all packing materials, loading and unloading the boxes, and unpacking on the other side.
Many factors will influence the cost of this type of move, such as the number of laborers required for the job, the size of the truck, the time of year, the distance of the move, and the amount of furniture and belongings you plan to move.
The sooner you decide on your method of moving, the better. As with purchasing airline tickets, you're likely to get a lower bid on renting a truck or hiring full-service movers if you make your reservation well in advance.
If you'll be using a full-service mover, be sure to shop around for the best price. You can visit Web sites such as
Risks and Benefits
The greatest benefit of full-service movers is that you'll save countless hours packing and moving your furniture. You'll also be spared the difficult decisions of how many boxes to obtain and what size truck to rent. These kinds of questions can be extremely difficult for novice movers to navigate.
There are, however, downsides to full-service movers that you may want to take into account. Aside from the hefty price tag of this kind of move, having other people pack and unpack your belongings can feel like an invasion of privacy. Even if you've invited these people into your home to do just that, come moving day, you might find that you feel uneasy with these strangers handling your possessions. Likewise, some people feel that this kind of move just isn't as satisfying — these people want to set up their own new homes with their own hands. These people feel that the very personal work of settling into a new home should not be outsourced.
Full-service movers are registered and/or licensed by a state's department of transportation (DOT). One way to determine whether the moving company you're about to hire is legitimate is to contact the DOT in your state.
When you make your first contact with a full-service mover, be prepared to answer a series of questions. You'll need to know the exact number of miles between where you are currently living and your new home. You'll also need to be able to describe the bulk and quantity of your furniture. They might ask you to estimate how many books you have, for example. They'll also inquire about hard-to-move objects such as pianos.
A full-service mover will provide you with a free quote or estimate that will fall into one of three categories. Make sure that everything you agree to is in writing and is signed and dated by all concerned parties.
Here is a breakdown of the categories:
Binding: In this situation, the mover provides you with a guaranteed price, within a small percentage of deviation. This price is based on a complete list of items to be moved and the type of service requested. To obtain this quote, a representative from the company will have to come to your home and assess your belongings.
Nonbinding or Hourly Rate: Instead of providing an estimate that will detail the cost of your move, this bid will give you an hourly rate. In this situation, you'll be provided with little more than a detailed price list which will detail fees for the moving company's services. While the rates should be based on the movers' previous experience with moves similar to yours, you won't be able to calculate the cost of your move until the move is complete.
Not to Exceed: When a mover gives you a bid, the actual cost cannot exceed this amount. From the movers' standpoint, this quote is binding. In some cases, the move can actually come in under this amount, and you'll pay the lower fee.
After you've consulted with a variety of moving companies, you'll have an idea of the range of services and costs available. The process of obtaining bids can serve as an interview of sorts — hopefully you'll have an opportunity to meet somebody from each company and assess their professionalism and service orientation. Because hiring a full-service mover is costly no matter whom you hire, don't let cost be the determining factor. Choose a reputable mover that you feel you can trust with your belongings, even if you have to pay slightly more.
Pick-up and Delivery Service/Self-Service Movers
If you can't afford a full-service mover, yet you want to be relieved of the burden of renting and driving a moving truck, this type of service might be for you. After evaluating your needs, this type of service will determine exactly what size moving truck you will need and deliver it to your home, typically about two days prior to your move. Then, it's your responsibility to pack up your belongings and place them in your truck.
After the truck is fully loaded, it's picked up by a professional driver and driven to your new home (or, in some cases, to storage).
The price you pay for this service is based primarily on how much space you fill in the truck (based on the truck's weight), as well as the distance of your move.
For an additional fee, you can often hire movers who will help you move the largest and most cumbersome pieces of furniture and heaviest boxes. They can also help you unload your truck at the end of the move. These laborers are usually paid by the hour. Assuming that they are experienced professionals, they could increase the speed of your move — and save your back — because they'll know how to pack the truck efficiently. This may be an especially good option for a single woman who wants to do much of the move on her own but is unable to manage the bulkier items alone.
When you reserve your truck, check to see if there are any half-full trucks headed in your general direction. In some cases, you can share a truck with another family for a reduced rate. If you can't fill an entire truck yourself, this option could be very economical for you.
Do-It-Yourself Move
This kind of move entails a few risks, but if you take an organized approach to it, it could be manageable. Keep in mind that although do-it-yourself moves are generally cheaper than other moving methods, these moves are a little harder to budget for because you will incur expenses incrementally. Because most DIY movers are novices, you may find that you actually spend a good deal more than you originally anticipated. Keep in mind that you'll be responsible for fees for: dollies, fuel, furniture pads, hotels, hourly laborers (if necessary), insurance, packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap), tolls, truck-mileage charges, truck-rental charges (including a deposit), as well as possible warehouse and storage fees.
