Whether you’re relocating within a city or across the state, the process of packing up your belongings and moving them safely without causing harm to yourself or your possessions can be quite challenging. That’s where professional moving companies come in. They handle various aspects of the move, from providing packing supplies and disassembling/reassembling furniture to loading, transporting, unloading, and disposing of packaging materials. Read this article to learn more about moving companies.
Types of moving companies
Commercial moving company
These companies work with small or large businesses and have the necessary tools and technologies to move complex hardware, electronics, gadgets, machinery, cabinets, and workstations.
Residential moving company
They are trained and equipped to handle small and big things in a house, like appliances, household utensils, furniture, fragile things, and heirlooms. You can hire them for full services or only for a few specific services.
Local moving companies
These companies will only cater to clients who move within a specific state.
Long-distance moving company
If you are making a long-distance move or moving to a new state, you need a company with the appropriate licenses, vehicle permits, and an experienced driver crew that can travel for many days and nights.
International moving company
When moving your belongings across countries, international moving companies can assist you with the necessary paperwork, freight transportation, and customs procedures. To minimize costs, it’s advisable to reduce the amount of items you need to move, as the shipping fees are based on the volume of goods.
Specialized moving companies
Various moving companies specialize in moving items such as valuables, antiques, artwork, gym equipment, sports equipment, musical instruments, safes, cars, or jewelry. These companies have the necessary tools and materials to transport large equipment without any damage and have the required security devices and machinery to move expensive items safely.
Additionally, some large moving companies offer a variety of services. For instance, a company might specialize in local moving only or provide local and long-distance moving services. While some companies focus solely on residential moves, others work with businesses and households.
Cost of moving
The cost of your move will be determined by the amount of belongings you have and the number of movers required. The distance between your current location and your new destination, the specific services you require, and the timing of your move will also factor into the overall cost. While complete moving services may be more expensive, the fees may differ if you want to use only partial services. For example, some may require help loading, unloading, and transporting the goods. Some may want to pack their belongings themselves and hire a moving service only for loading, unloading, and transporting it. Moving companies charge you hourly for local moves; the total will depend on the number of movers and trucks you need. Long-distance moves cost depend on the distance and weight of the belongings being moved, and companies charge you a flat rate.
A full moving service costs about $25 to $50 per hour. It could cost you about $1400 to move within the same locality and up to $10,000 for a long-distance move (based on distance).
Best options for moving companies near you
When choosing a moving company, it’s crucial to consider the expertise and training of the staff who will handle your valuables and pack your belongings safely. It’s also important to ensure that the company conducts background checks on its employees, as they will be responsible for your belongings. You can check the credibility ratings of the company on sites such as the Better Business Bureau. To ensure that you choose a reliable moving company, research their customer service and investigate any complaints about the safety of goods, employee conduct, and their ability to complete the job on time. Some of the top options for moving companies include:
International Van Lines
American Van Lines
Safeway Moving Inc
Moving APT
JK Moving Services
Allied Van lines
North American Van Lines
United Van Lines
U-Pack
Popular deals from moving companies
Moving is an expensive affair, and one way of getting a good bargain on cost is to get estimates from multiple moving companies based on the volume of your belongings, the destination, the type of services you require and the time of your request. You can compare the quotes and then choose the best deal for you. Moving companies offer multiple discounts and free services during the off-season. Some of the top moving deals you can find are:
Senior discounts of up to 15% from International Van lines
12% discount for AAA members from Penske Truck Rentals
10% discounts for students with a student ID from Penske Truck Rentals
20% discount for law enforcement and first responders from Budget Truck Rental
Free-Full value protection with savings of up to $600 from Atlas Van lines
20% from Budget Truck Rental for AARP members for Thursday rentals
$25 off on car shipping from AmeriFreight