Moving to a new state can be an excellent opportunity for personal growth. You’ll have the chance to expand your social circle, meet new people, and experience a new culture.
When choosing movers be sure to do your research. Look for referrals and read reviews. Ask questions and get everything in writing.
When choosing the best movers for your home, there are a few essential things you should consider. First, you must decide whether you’re moving locally or long distance. Local moves are typically within a 30-mile radius of your current location, while long-distance moves are more than 100 miles from where you live.
Long-distance moves tend to be more expensive than local moves, due to the increased time and travel costs associated with them. However, you can often find a great deal on your move by planning ahead and choosing the right company for your needs. The best long-distance movers will provide you with a point of contact to coordinate your entire relocation, and they will be able to offer you a variety of extra services such as packing, storage, and specialized equipment for fragile items.
When choosing a long-distance moving company, you should always consider their reputation and the quality of their service. Look for a company with an established history, a large network of agents, and a wide range of services. You should also be aware of any extra fees that may be added to your quote, such as packing materials and fuel surcharges.
The top-rated long-distance movers will give you 30 days of free storage and offer a range of customer-centric extras such as real-time GPS tracking, supplemental insurance, and special discounts. They will also offer a full range of residential and commercial moving services, including packing, unpacking, and assembly.
Depending on the size of your household and the amount of belongings you have to transport, you might require additional services such as disassembly or electronics installation. The best movers will be able to advise you on the best option for your needs, and they can even handle custom crating for antiques or other valuable items.
The most reputable long-distance movers will have a dedicated team of experienced professionals to handle your move. They will be able to guide you through every step of your move, and they will keep you updated on progress throughout the process. You can trust these movers to treat your belongings with the care they deserve, and they will work hard to ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible.
Residential or Commercial
Residential movers focus on moving individuals from one place to another in apartment buildings and private homes. They often provide their services at night or on weekends to avoid interrupting business operations during the day. They usually use standard equipment for moving household items, but may also offer specialty services at a cost like transporting pianos or luxury furniture. They are experienced in handling bulky or oversized items and can quickly move them from one location to the next.
On the other hand, commercial movers focus on moving companies and large corporate offices. They are skilled in handling large amounts of bulky and delicate office equipment, including computers and large warehouse items such as crates. They are familiar with data protection legislation and can ensure sensitive information remains secure during the move. Unlike residential movers, most commercial moves are completed outside of business hours to minimize disruptions to the company’s workday.
Both types of movers have their own advantages and unique skills. Residential movers tend to focus on building a relationship with their clients and provide a more personalized service. They are able to understand the emotional stress of relocating and can help their clients find the perfect new home. Additionally, they can provide tips for minimizing costs and make the move easier on their client’s family or pets.
While commercial movers can be just as efficient, they are not as individualized in their service. They are generally available to move businesses at any time, so they do not require a lot of planning ahead of time. In addition, they are able to provide a wide variety of specialized services like arranging pre-move prep with the property managers and helping employees pack up their belongings.
In addition, commercial movers are skilled in dealing with complex logistical challenges like navigating stairwells in tall buildings or disassembling large office furniture. This makes them better suited to the challenges of a commercial move than a residential one. As a result, they can usually get the job done much quicker than a residential move. In general, a commercial move takes about a quarter of the time that a residential move takes to complete.
Specialized Services
Many professional movers offer specialized services that may be difficult or impossible for homeowners to perform on their own. For example, many movers offer packing and crating services for fragile or valuable items such as antiques and artwork. They also have a wide variety of equipment such as ramps, dollies, moving blankets and more. This equipment is essential for navigating stairs or long carrying distances. Additionally, movers offer transport options which can save you time and effort when a move is too big to complete in one day.
Using a professional mover means that you don’t have to spend time renting a truck, buying supplies, packing your belongings and bribing friends to help you carry heavy furniture up or down flights of stairs. Moving companies are able to provide a comprehensive range of services at a reasonable price, and their experience makes the process much less stressful.
In addition to standard movers, many moving companies offer additional services such as appliance and home entertainment center disconnect/reconnect, storage and junk removal. These add-ons can significantly increase the cost of your move, but they are worth considering if you are not comfortable performing these tasks on your own or if you have limited time to get them done.
Local movers, sometimes called intrastate movers, specialize in relocations within a 100-mile radius and are well-versed in local area layout and regulations. They typically charge by the hour, making them a cost-effective option for short moves.
Long-distance movers, on the other hand, are experts at managing relocations across state lines and have extensive knowledge of interstate transportation laws. They can plan and execute a complex move in a timely manner and ensure that your belongings are delivered safely.
Specialized movers can handle a variety of unique items like pianos, pool tables and even firearms. They are experienced with the proper handling and packing of these items and have the necessary tools to prevent damage during transit. If you have any unique or oversized items that need to be relocated, let your potential moving company candidates know so that they can recommend a specialist.
Budget
There’s a lot to factor in when planning a move, including the costs of hiring movers or packing your own belongings. The type of move, distance and size of your home will also influence the cost. It’s wise to pad your budget by 10%-20% to cover the unexpected, like new cleaning supplies for the old and new homes or utility setup fees.
If you’re preparing to move long-distance, it’s important to consider additional travel expenses as well. These can include gas, tolls and airfare if you’re flying to your new destination. Additionally, if you’re bringing your car, you’ll need to book an auto transport service. Finally, if you need time off of work to pack and relocate, that’s an extra cost.
Many moving companies will offer packing services for an additional fee, but you can save money by doing it yourself. In addition to boxes, you’ll need tape, bubble wrap and packing paper. To keep costs down, you can use items such as linens and casual clothing to wrap delicate items.
Another expense to consider is the cost of moving insurance, which is an optional addition to most moving services. This add-on covers the value of your possessions up to a certain dollar amount, which is helpful if something gets lost or damaged during the move.
You’ll need to consider the cost of food and living expenses during a move, as well. During the final days of your move, you’ll likely need to eat out more often than usual and may spend on entertainment. Likewise, if you’re moving far away, accommodation costs will be higher, especially if there is a gap between vacating the old home and moving into the new one.
If you’re able to move during an off-peak season, it can reduce moving expenses by as much as 30%. It’s also a good idea to plan ahead and shop around for the best prices on moving services, packing materials and storage units. By creating a detailed budget and keeping track of your actual expenses, you can minimize surprises during your move and avoid unnecessary expenses.
