Should You Hire a Moving Company, or do it myself?
Will a Moving Company Move You?
In the fast-paced world of moving and relocating, there are three questions we need to ask: Will a moving company move me? Do I know what to do to get ready for a move? Should I move myself or ask a moving company to help me?
This is serious stuff. We live in a time when costs are up but also time “really” is money. Moving is an expense, but it is necessary. How you get from point one to point two takes time, talent, and resources, along with emotional and physical strength.
We are accustomed to having a list of our own expectations, but have you ever thought about turning the coin over and asking: “What does my moving company expect of me?”
Answering this question correctly could save you a lot of time and, most of all, money!
What do I need to do up front for my move?
You may think you can’t afford to hire a moving team or that it may not be your best course of action. The truth is, you may find it difficult to move without the help of a professional team!
Professional relocation teams can move people successfully across the country or a city. They know how to work closely with clients and usually have great success. Relocation team leaders know how to communicate. A successful move begins with planning and communication!
Even when you are with a potential relocation team, take notes! Ask questions and talk honestly about what you have and don’t have that needs to be packed and moved.
All moving companies have “dos and don’ts.” You want to find out what these are and follow the correct path!
So, the first thing you need to do is to decide if you need or want a moving team to help you.
Second: Ask if the moving team is available and ready to work with you.
Third: Realize a moving team expects you to be ready. When movers show up, they are ready to load a truck!
As you plan your move, be sure to calculate the costs and time needed to make a self-move. Compare those numbers to any estimate a moving company provides. Then, add in the time it takes for you to pack, load, and unload a truck.
Fourth: Remember, moving requires physical strength and emotional energy. Better ask yourself if you are willing to take the time and effort to pack. Professionals pack efficiently, and you probably won’t end up with broken items.
Free In-Home Estimates should be the “norm,” but many companies don’t do them. Ask for one if you live near the moving company you plan to use. Some will offer you an over-the-phone estimate. The problem with this is you can’t get a firm estimate.
Over-the-phone estimates can leave wiggle room. That’s fine if it is for your benefit, but if you are on the losing end of the estimate, it’s difficult. Usually, there is much more to a move than what you identify through a phone conversation.
Fifth: Avoid general statements like “I have a living area, three bedrooms, two baths, and a kitchen,” which can mean anything. Saying you have a 2,000 or 4,000-square-foot home means different things on paper. What comes along with this square footage will tell the story of your move.
Movers want to know—
- Where you are moving
- When you need to be there
- What is your budget?
- Do you want them to pack, or are you going to pack your house?
- How much do you have? One person set things up with her local mover, but she wasn’t completely truthful about the number of items she had to move. When the relocation team showed up, they had to leave to get a larger truck. Change orders add up in dollars and cents fast.
Moving Companies that Pack for You
You will be surprised by the large range of services that moving companies provide. But you also may be totally surprised by the price tag. Here’s what they find: Packing services total up to an average cost of $1000.
Again, ask questions: some moving or packing companies include more services than others, and there are always optional add-ons. So, be smart and keep a notebook handy!
There are three types of companies. Here’s a quick look at each one.
Full-Service Movers
Full-service movers will pack you up and get you ready for the moving truck. They take care of most of the process. Not only will they pack your belongings for you, but they’ll supply all the materials needed to do so. The trade-off for these full services is a higher rate. But you don’t have to worry about packing or moving your items.
Labor Only Movers
Labor-only moving companies offer packing services as add-ons to their moving package. If you choose a labor-only moving company for packing services, check if their packing services are a stand-alone package or an add-on. Some packing add-ons incur additional costs.
Some movers simply charge a flat rate. So, whether you need their team to move boxes, pack or unpack and move furniture around, you know the time clock is running and what the cost per hour is.
Packing Companies
A lot of people are turning to professional packing companies. These companies pack all your items. They provide the necessary supplies like boxes, tape, moving blankets, and dollies.
Packing companies usually consist of well-trained professionals who know how to pack by wrapping your items well and using space smartly. If you need additional support, you can request unpacking services, too. This means your packing team will show up to unload your belongings and even organize them in the correct location.
The price tag here is dependent on house size and the number or weight of items. If you are not physically fit to handle large items like televisions and dressers, then packers and a moving team probably is the best way for you to go.
Shipping Companies
If you only have a few items to move, your best choice could be to use a shipping company. Out-of-town college students often choose this option. It isn’t a traditional option because shipping can be pricey, but it works. A footnote here is the fact that you would need to transport everything into the company’s facility where it will be packed and shipped to wherever you need it. A well-known company that offers this convenient service is
Lambert Moving Systems
Regardless of your needs, the team at Lambert Moving Systems is ready to help. We provide all the services you need for a smooth local or long-distance move.
So, whether your needs include packing and unpacking services, loading and unloading services, storage services, or shipping services, Lambert’s team of professionals will ensure all your important belongings get to your new location safely. Learn more at www.golambertteam.com.
