Moving can be one of the most stressful times in a person's life, but having the help of a reliable moving company can help ease that stress considerably. Instead of needing to ask (or bribe) friends to help you move, professional moving companies are an easy way to make your move go more smoothly and hassle-free, and many aren't much more expensive than the cost of renting a truck and buying all your own supplies. In addition, professional movers are typically able to move your belongings more safely and efficiently than if you did all the heavy lifting yourself, saving you both time and frustration. If you think hiring a professional moving company for your next move might be the right choice for you, keep reading to learn the top eight questions and answers, so you can choose the right moving company for your needs and budget.
Reputable moving companies are insured and licensed, so you shouldn't need to worry about items being broken or going missing. If you're concerned, however, you can pack and move any valuable items yourself, prior to the movers' arrival. Always check with the moving company regarding insurance and licensing before hiring them to do any work.
Your best bet when shopping for a moving company is to ask for recommendations from friends and family, or read online reviews before settling on a moving company. In addition, you can always ask the moving company for recommendations from previous clients, as most reputable moving companies should have these available for anyone who asks.
Before hiring a moving company to help with your move, always ask about any guarantees or refund policies. Some moving companies will not refund your money regardless of your satisfaction level, while others are happy to issue a refund if something goes wrong with your move.
Many people choose to hire professional moving companies to handle only the bigger part of their move, such as moving large pieces of furniture or clearing out as much of the move as possible within a set amount of time. While you can choose to hire movers for your entire move, if you're on a tight budget, hiring movers for even just a few hours can greatly reduce the amount of stress and hard labor most moves entail.
Rates vary widely depending on the moving company you choose, how long you want to hire the movers for, the size of the move and which services you opt for. Some people opt for movers to do all of the work, from packing to moving, while others hire movers for smaller parts of the move. Contact your local moving companies and compare rates before deciding which moving company is right for you and your budget.
During busy seasons, you may need to book your move several weeks in advance, especially if you're moving on a weekend. Once you know the date you plan to move, it's a good idea to call your local moving companies to compare rates and book your move as soon as possible.
While truck rental companies tout low pricing, once fees and add-ons are added to the bill, many people are surprised by how much renting a truck and doing the move themselves really costs. Professional movers are somewhat more expensive than renting a truck, but not by much, especially if you have the movers do the brunt of the work and handle the smaller things yourself.
Many moving companies will allow you to hire their movers for heavy lifting - loading and unloading your truck or a rental truck - which can save you a significant amount of money. Contact your local moving companies to compare rates on hiring movers for load/unload only to decide if this is your best option.