Labor Alternatives to Hiring a Full Service Moving Company
If you’re thinking of hiring a professional moving company to handle your next move, be aware that it’s going to cost you. In fact, according to the American Moving and Storage Association(AMSA), the average cost of a simple local move is $2,300 for four movers at $200 per hour. And if you’re embarking on an interstate move, it’s going to cost you even more – upwards of $4,300, according to the AMSA.
Fortunately for those looking to save money, there are less expensive alternatives to hiring a moving company. In fact, all you need is a rental moving truck and a few assistants to help out with the heavy lifting, and the loading/unloading of your things. From hiring moving labor professionals to recruiting friends, here are five money-saving options to consider next time you move.
HireAHelper
Planning to rent your own truck? Avoid breaking your back (and your friends’) by hiring pros to help with the loading and unloading process. HireAHelper is one of the most reliable online marketplaces for finding and booking these moving labor professionals.
According to HireAHelper, the movers are either labor-only moving companies that specialize in load and unload services, or they’re full-service moving companies willing to send workers out on labor-only moving jobs. Given that these movers do this for a living, you can rest assured that your belongings will be in good hands
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving is a licensed and insured moving and junk removal service. The Tampa-based company offers junk removal services, donation pickups, packing help, residential and commercial moving, and moving labor assistance nationwide. The company points out that many of their customers actually combine these services when moving. However, if you’re only looking for someone to assist with heavy lifting and single item moves, College Hunks also offers a simple hourly labor option. These moving labor professionals are described as “seasoned veterans” that will ensure every belonging is properly packed, sealed and loaded. To receive a quick quote for hourly labor
Moving Help: Your Complete Guide
When moving, everyone needs a little moving help. Relocating comes with lots of decisions, including how to get your belongings from point A to point B. With various types of moving help available, it can be difficult to figure out what option is best for your move. That’s why we’ve broken down the top four choices for you.
Moving Help: Renting a Moving Truck
If you want to take on a DIY move, renting a moving truck is a great option for a moving service. Once you sort out the logistics of your move, reserving a moving truck is a fairly seamless process.
Choosing the right rental truck
You’ll want to reserve a moving truck that fits with the exact needs of your move. For starters, are you moving locally or long distance? Certain moving truck companies will only rent out trucks for local moves, while other companies offer national truck rentals. While some companies start charging when you exceed a set mileage, others offer free, unlimited miles.
Loading your moving truck
Loading your truck may seem intuitive, but there is a recommended method for packing a moving truck. When loading heavy items, you should pack them in an “I-formation” to ensure a safer and faster move. Starting in the front of the box truck by the cab, load your heavy items, like your washing machine and refrigerator. If you are transporting these items yourself, you may want some moving help from a moving labor service (unless you happen to have a team of very strong people on hand).
Driving a moving truck
Knowing how to maneuver a moving truck is crucial. Since the truck is obviously a lot larger than your typical vehicle, you’ll want to take extra caution. To ensure a safe journey, you should drive slower than you normally do. Leave more space between your truck and vehicles ahead, take turns slowly, and apply breaks sooner so the truck has enough time to come to a complete stop. And of course, be cautious when switching lanes
Should I Hire Professional Movers or Do It Myself?
There’s no getting around it: A move of any kind — whether it’s just across town or to the other side of the country — takes time, stress, and money. And before you make your move, you have a lot to figure out. How are you going to handle all the packing? Who’s going to actually move your stuff? Are movers worth it? And what is all this going to cost you?
For some, hiring professional movers is the right answer. Offloading the stresses of packing, heavy-lifting, and transporting is well worth the money spent. For others, saving that money through a do-it-yourself (DIY) move is the way to go. There are also ways to mix-and-match your services to get the help you really need.
Take a look at your timeline
So you got that new job that’s moving you to another state, but the cincher is that you have a month to move. Or maybe you’ve sold your current home and have told the buyers that you could close in the next few weeks.
Consider the different moving approaches
Today, there are more options than ever before when it comes to hiring professional movers. But engaging professional help with your move does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach. There are ways to cut down on the stress while also being conscious of your wallet through various hybrid moving techniques.
Do a DIY move
This approach is for those who don’t have room in their moving budget to hire professional movers or are just natural DIY-ers. Choosing to move yourself can save you money, but will require extra time, effort, and preparation. You will be in charge of buying moving supplies (like boxes, packing paper, tape, etc.), renting a moving truck, and enlisting help with heavy lifting.
How to Find & Hire Reliable and Reputable Movers
Looking for Moving Help?
Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, you need a reliable and professional service that you can trust.
This guide covers all the screening questions you need to ask and what types of licenses and insurance a mover should have. It’ll also cover how to prepare you home for movers, what they are responsible for and what it should cost. You’ll learn how to avoid moving scams or hiring incompetent services.
Short vs. Long Distance Moves
Short moves are great for smaller, locally licensed companies. Often offering cheaper rates, local movers usually know the area and can assist in almost all aspects of local or in-state moves. You should still do your homework – check reviews, complaints, licenses and insurance.
Long distance moves cost more due to more fuel use and higher interstate regulations. Both state and federal regulations may increase a mover’s costs, but it provides a way to check on the legitimacy of an organization and gives you peace of mind.
In-city moves are a great time to either test out your DIY moving skills or better yet, find a locally owned and operated moving company that specializes in short distance moves. Just do thorough research on any pro you hire.
State vs. Federal Regulation
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all interstate movers to register a DOT number. Thirty-three states also require in-state movers to register for the same number. Simply put, licensing and DOT numbers are a way the federal or state governments track movers and hold them accountable.
How To Hire Movers: A Step-By-Step Guide
Moving sucks. Hiring professional movers can make it a little easier. Here’s everything you need to know–from reservations to load size to tipping.
After years of borrowing my parents’ minivan to move my belongings from apartment to apartment, my first professional move felt like a milestone on the path to adulthood. Don’t get me wrong—there’s something to be said for the DIY move. It’s cheaper, and having friends help out lends a festive air to an otherwise tedious chore, especially during the post-move beer-and-pizza party.
Ask for personal recommendations
Yes, there are plenty of online review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List, and you should definitely check them out. But I like to start by asking people I know—friends, neighbors, co-workers, and so on. Those are the recommendations I trust the most.
Check availability and pricing
The most popular movers will get booked quickly so don’t delay. If you’re moving during the colder months you may be able to get away with a last-minute reservation, but spring and summer are likely to fill fast. When you call
Moving date flexibility
If you don’t have to be out of your old place and into the new one on the first of the month, like most renters, your first-choice movers will have an easier time fitting you in. It’s also helpful if you can move on a weekday instead of the weekend.