Two cross-country movers holding a rolled carpet overlay

Hiring Movers and Moving Across the Country? Here’s Everything You Should Know

Posted in How-to,Planning the Move on August 23, 2022

When it comes to relocating across the country, there’s nothing as stressful and complicated as hiring movers who will meet your standards and get you the swift and effortless relocation you’ve been hoping for. To help you prepare for this complex task, we’ve gathered all the necessary information that will ensure you pick the right mover – take a look at the text below.

Is It Cheaper to Hire a Moving Company or Pay the Cost of a DIY Move?

The moment you realize you have a reason to move and you should probably start planning the relocation, one question will inevitably be posed – do you need to choose a relocation company, or can you somehow move to a new city on your own? Which one is cheaper and better? This is a never-ending debate that everyone who moves has to go through – but we are here to make it easier on you.

While it’s true that you can pull off a DIY move (no law prohibits that), this course of action isn’t as cheap as it might seem. In fact, most relocation tips will tell you that hiring professionals ends up being a cheaper option down the road. With that being said, you still need to pick reputable and trustworthy companies if you want to have an efficient move.

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The Cost Is Well Worth It – Moves With Professional Cross-Country Movers Are More Organized and Take Less Time

If you opt for relocation with professionals (and we hope you will), you’ll be wondering – does it cost a lot to hire a moving company to relocate you to your new home? We won’t lie to you – relocations aren’t always cheap as everyone would like, but the cost of booking relocation workers can drastically vary depending on a few factors, such as your household inventory list, the distance of the move, and the time of year when you’re relocating.

But here’s the catch – the cost is well worth the relocation service you will get for it if you pick one of the best companies out there. Whether it’s a one-bedroom apartment or a large home, you need pros if you want to get through this process effortlessly. These essential workers will ensure the relocation is swift, and they will organize your move better than you’d think is possible. So, why bother on your own when you can have professional help?

Hiring a Mover Instead of Just Renting a Truck Does Wonder for Your Peace of Mind During Cross-Country Relocation

Let’s not fool ourselves – relocating stress-free is impossible if you want to do it on your own, with no help whatsoever. That’s why having a professional team of skilled and experienced workers will ensure you are relaxed during the relocation process and have no anxiety about the move. When your items are in the safe hands of top-notch workers, you have no reason to worry about the outcome of the move.

So, have we sold you the idea of booking relocation companies? If we have, make sure you add “finding a relocation business” to your moving to-do list. After all, there are so many other tasks that it’s always better to write everything down. Here’s a video on relocation checklist that can be of great use to you – check it out.

How Do You Hire Reliable Movers? Learning All the Tips and Tricks for Picking the Right Mover Will Help You

How to hire a moving company – where do you even start looking for a relocation business? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. While this is indeed a difficult process that requires your full attention, there are ways to ensure you don’t make a huge relocation mistake and book a lousy mover who will make relocating to a new home a nightmare.

Ask Friends and Family Who Have Experience Moving Across the Country for Recommendations

The 101 from our book of tips for hiring movers is to go to friends and family first to ask them about their experiences with relocating from one part of the country to another. If you have someone who moves often or has recently moved to a new state, even better.

They will be able to give you fresh information and tell you which companies are good and which you should avoid. This is an excellent starting point for your search, and in some cases, it might even give you the answer on which relocation business to choose.

Online Research of the Relocation Company Is Essential

If the previous step brings you limited results or you simply want to dig a little deeper, it’s time to conduct your own research online and explore the world of the relocation industry. There are many businesses that offer a truck and a few workers who will provide the packing service and load the boxes, but that’s not the point.

You want the money from your relocation budget to go to outstanding service – that’s why you need to check online reviews. They will give you an idea of what level of professional cross-country moving services you can expect from a certain business.

Look up their reputation and experience. However, be sure to check reliable and independent sources – reviews on the company’s website can say whatever they want, so you have to use resources like Yelp, for example.

Be Sure to Get Free Estimates From at Least Three Different Companies That Have Made Your Shortlist

Once you’re done researching, you will probably have a shortlist of a few possible businesses that seem like a good choice. So, how to decide which one to pick? Getting a free quote is a next step, as it will provide you with an idea of what price you can expect.

One of the key long-distance relocation tips says that you should obtain quotes from at least three different businesses before making your final decision and booking the service. Of course, the way the price is set is important – it should be based on a household inventory list (that’s why it’s always recommended to downsize for a move).

One of the long-distance movers showing a list to the woman
Your mover should base the quote on the household inventory list

Sadly, Moving Scams Are Common These Days – Here’s How to Avoid Being Scammed When Moving Cross Country

One of the worst fears of someone who’s relocating is being scammed – relocation scams can lose you thousands of dollars, so it’s crucial that you ensure your relocation business is legitimate.

If you’re not careful or you’re just in a hurry because your move is last-minute, you might easily overlook clear red flags. That’s why we’re here to tell you what to pay attention to if you want all your boxes to be safe on that truck.

Signs That Usually Mean You’re Not Hiring Professional Movers, But Frauds Instead

The first and most obvious red flag is the state of their website – does it even exist, and is it professionally designed and taken care of? It might sound irrelevant, but the effort put into marketing says a lot about a business. Take a look at the bottom of the website – can you find their license number? This is where it’s usually located. If you can’t, run – they surely won’t ensure your items get to their home in the new city.

You can’t rent a truck and hire a few people to carry boxes and call yourself a relocation business – a license is essential, and without it, you can be sure you’re exposing yourself to being scammed.

Check if the business is registered in an FMCSA database and if they are registered under the same name as the one stated on the website – a change of name can point to hiding an ugly past and having unsatisfied customers. Here are a few other relocation hacks you can use to check the legitimacy of a potential mover:

  • If you can’t find any reviews on them, they are probably a scam. Keep in mind that unrealistically positive reviews everywhere can also be a red flag.
  • If they give you a quote without performing a home inspection in person, they might be a fraudulent business (but keep in mind that inspections over video calls are allowed).
  • If they don’t offer you a contract, don’t hire them. Even if they do, don’t sign anything until you have carefully read it.
  • If they offer a suspiciously low quote for relocating your items or ask for money upfront, it’s best to find someone else to hire.
  • If their workers seem like they don’t have much experience or don’t know what they are doing, it’s best to cancel the move (yes, you can do it even when the truck shows up in front of your home). Trust your instinct.
  • If they aren’t open for communication with clients and don’t answer all your questions, this is a huge sign that they are hiding something – it would be best to find someone else.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers for Long-Distance Moving Services

Even when you find a trustworthy mover who will take good care of your fragile items, furniture, and boxes, there are still some questions left unanswered. To spare you the trouble of looking for answers, we’ve made a list of things people often wonder when planning a move to another city – here it is:

When should I hire movers?

It’s recommended that you book relocation services (including packing assistance and storage facilities) at least two months in advance. The worst-case scenario would be four weeks before the move, but know that your options will be limited in that case.

What day is the cheapest to hire movers?

To put it shortly, any weekday is a cheap option. Avoid weekends if you can because the rates will be higher – businesses are swamped with work during weekends, especially in the summer.

How much do you tip movers in 2022?

It’s customary to tip $5 per hour per person for relocation services. That means the tip shouldn’t be less than $20 per worker since most moves can’t last less than four hours.

Do movers pack for you?

Your relocation crew can handle packing if you don’t want to deal with that task but remember to book the packing service in advance and provide the workers with a packing list. They can also pack belongings you wish to transfer to the storage unit (in that case, you’ll require storage services, so don’t forget to add that to the price of the move).

Choosing the Best Long-Distance Movers Can Take Time – Don’t Rush and Make Sure You’re Happy With Your Decision

Wherever you’re going, you’re in for an exciting change and great new experiences. Don’t let the benefits of relocating get ruined by picking a horrible relocation business – be careful. This isn’t a decision you want to make hastily – check every little detail, and then check again. You have to be absolutely happy with the decision you made. Only then will you be able to move without stress or anxiety and have the most efficient and straightforward relocation ever.

Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

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