Hire a Moving Company to Help Transfer Your Belongings

Moving is never a completely stress-free process. In fact, one 2020 study showed moving is one of the most stressful things you can do. Moving often requires you to leave friends and family members behind. You also have to contend with the stresses of getting settled in your new location. For example, you must update your address on your driver's license, fill out a change of address form at the post office, and make sure your loved ones are all informed.

Some of those sources of stress are unavoidable, but one stressful process you can avoid is trying to move all of your possessions by yourself. Instead, you can hire a moving company to do the moving for you. In fact, moving companies offer many services you can take advantage of during a stressful moving process. Learning about those services can save you time and make moving far easier for you.

Reasons You Might Need to Hire Movers

Not every move requires professional assistance, but there are several reasons you might want to hire movers for specific moving situations. For example, you may need professional help when moving a long distance. Even if you are making a local move, you might feel better getting professionals to help you. Professional moving services can assist you with:

• Moving Heavy or Delicate Possessions

• Packing and Moving Possessions on a Tight Deadline

• Uninstalling, Moving, and Reinstalling Appliances, Hot Tubs, Etc.

Types of Professional Moving Companies

There are multiple types of professional moving companies. Some offer services all over the company and take on almost any moving project, such as Allegiance Moving and Storage. Others specialize in offering specific moving services, such as:

• Small Loads – The smallest moving companies usually specialize in local moves. Often, such companies are willing to take on small jobs, such as dorm room moves for college students.

• Local Large Loads or Minimum Hours – Some local moving companies require a minimum amount of items to mover or charge an hourly rate and set a minimum number of hours charged. For example, you may have to pay for three hours of service, even if your local move only takes one hour.

• Interstate Loads – Some moving companies provide moving services from one state to another. Check policies to see which states are serviced by such companies before you hire one.

• Cross-Country Loads – Certain large moving companies provide moving services to any location in the United States. One such company is United Van Lines.

• Commercial and Office Moving – Not all moving needs are residential. If you have commercial moving requirements, many companies can help. Some specialize solely in commercial moves. Others, such as United Van Lines provide multiple services, including commercial moving.

What Specific Services Do Moving Companies Offer?

One of the reasons hiring a professional moving service is often helpful is moving companies provide multiple services that can help you complete the process from start to finish. Whether you need to move a few large items or an entire household, you can find a mover offering the services necessary to get the job done, as long as you know which questions to ask.

Many moving companies offer full-service packing, as well as moving. When packing is offered, ask if the provide the packing supplies. Disassembly and reassembly of items like bookshelves is another service you can request. When available, that service may require you to pay an extra fee.

In addition to packing and basic moving from point A to point B, your chosen mover may offer extra special services for added fees. For instance, the company you select may move bulky items like pianos for you. If your items are located in different areas, such as your home and a storage unit, you can also arrange a multi-location pickup schedule. If applicable, ask ahead to see if your chosen moving company can pickup and deliver your possessions in difficult situations, such as on upper floors of buildings, in rural locations, or when delivery requires driving on narrow or dirt roadways.

Costs of Moving Services

There is no specific cost of moving. How much you must spend depends on your individual circumstances. For example, International Van Lines lists the cost of an overseas move as ranging from approximately $1,000 to $10,000. According to Forbes, the cost for local moving in 2021 averages $25 to $50 per hour per worker on the moving crew for labor. Forbes also indicates the total cost for long-distance moves  within the United States may range from as little as $600 to a staggering $10,000 or more. 

Charges for extra services like packing or disassembly and assembly are not always included in initial cost estimates. Each company has its own charges and systems of outlining those charges for potential customers. Therefore, you must carefully check rates for all services you desire before hiring a moving company.

Hidden, Secondary, and Unpredictable Moving Costs

There are often hidden costs associated with moving. For example, you may wish to pay extra for “white glove” service when moving an expensive or highly collectible item. You must also prepare for the possibility of additional fees when your move does not go quite according to plan. For example, if movers have to take an extra hour getting an appliance or couch out of a building due to tight corners, the fee increases. Fees for installation of appliances at the final destination are common as well, whether the primary moving company or another company handles the installation process. 

Your vehicle presents another source of potentially unforeseen stress and financial strain. If you are flying to your new destination, you may require a company to move it. That process comes with extra fees and may require a specialty moving service. The mover must protectively wrap the vehicle to ensure it gets to the destination safely. Moving a vehicle within the U.S. costs approximately 50 cents to $2.00 per mile. Moving one to an international destination is a significantly more expensive undertaking.

Preparedness is the Key to a Successful, Stress-Free Move

If you want to hire professional movers, the most important part of the process is asking questions. Make sure you get an estimate ahead of time and ask exactly what services that estimate covers. Pad your budget so you can afford any last-minute moving fees that are not part of that estimate. Then you can reduce stress by having your possessions professionally moved without worrying about expensive and undesired surprises.