Moving to a new place, be it in the same city or to the other side of the country can be a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor. It can also be expensive.
However, it doesn’t need to be any of those things. Reputable moving companies specialize in helping people move from place to place in a quick, efficient, and affordable way. The keyword in the previous statement is “reputable,” of course, as there are major variations between the services and prices that different moving companies offer.
So, how can you go about finding affordable moving companies and save big, while also getting a high-quality service that helps you move in a fast and easy way? Here are our top moving tips on how to do that.
1. Get quotes from several places
As with any other business, it is always a smart idea to look at a few other services before committing to anything. The “Rule of Three” is that you should check at least a couple of other companies, even if you think you have already found the perfect choice on your first try.
Plus, it’s also wise to consider the difference between hourly rates and flat rates, together with the expected work hours that the different movers are expecting. For example, hourly rates can often seem more appealing, but end up costing more in the end, if the movers take extra long time with the job.
2. Choose the best time for moving
Moving is a seasonal business, and prices can differ a lot depending on when you choose to do it. The most obvious example of that is weekends vs weekdays, as moving on a weekend can cost quite a lot more, since those are the two busiest days of the week.
Similarly, moving between May and September costs more than moving between October and April, since the former is the “peak season” for moving services.
3. Look for discounts
Moving companies will often offer discounts, promotions, and other deals meant to attract people, just like any other business. By looking for such deals, you can often unlock 20% off the price you would have otherwise had to pay, which can be quite significant.
However, even if you get a nice deal, it’s still wise to compare with a couple of other companies, as it’s not uncommon for businesses to inflate their prices before offering “a deal.”
4. Look for licensing and insurance
This can come as a surprise to some, but many moving companies aren’t fully licensed and insured. This is often true even when they advertise themselves as such. So, you should always look for properly regulated and licensed movers with proper Department of Transportation (DOT) numbers and licenses from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
5. Hire local haulers
Unless you want to move across state lines, it’s usually worth it to hire a smaller, local moving company, as long as it still has the right licenses and insurance. Larger companies often have inflated prices or have to travel longer distances to get to you, which further drives the price up.
6. Consider all the additional services each mover offers
Just looking at the prices isn’t enough when comparing two different moving companies, as often a higher price comes with extra services. If those are services you don’t need, then you don’t need to pay the higher price. However, often such extra services (and their price) can be worth it for you. This can include services, such as disassembling/assembling furniture, loading/unloading, packing/unpacking, and so on.
7. Look for personal recommendations, not just online reviews
Online reviews can be helpful when comparing companies and services, but they can also be deceitful. Instead, it’s often much better if you can find personal recommendations, be it from people you know or from friends of friends.
Even if you don’t know someone personally, their recommendation can still be worth much more than that of a stranger online, since at least you know they are not a bot or someone paid by the company.
8. Start looking for a mover early
One of the most overlooked tips is to start looking for the right mover to book early on. Because the moving business is so competitive and seasonal, prices can vary greatly depending on when you book a company. So, don’t hesitate to do so weeks or even months in advance, as it can save you a lot of money.
9. Consider getting a rental truck or van
A common advice is to hire mover services that have their own trucks or vans. This is typically true, however, often it’s more cost-effective to consider rental options separately.
10. Don’t hesitate to negotiate
The moving business is one where negotiating isn’t a bad idea. Even if the movers say their prices are fixed and can’t be lowered, by negotiating, you can still get them to brainstorm some alternatives, suggest additional cost-saving services, or forego an unnecessary service that was needlessly driving up the price.
Don’t forget – fair prices are usually more affordable than “cheap” prices
A key rule of thumb to remember in this niche is that “Fair prices are better than cheap prices.” That’s because “cheap” often comes with a lower quality of service, lack of licenses and insurance, and so on.
And that can get very expensive very quickly when there is an accident with your furniture or electronics. So, while looking for the most affordable prices is always a good idea, it’s important not to ignore the quality of the service either.
