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Phinnie Zahareas is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She works as a project manager and professional organizer for a moving company in Louisiana. She’s managed dozens of moving jobs — from tiny houses to sprawling office buildings — and aims to make relocations easier for everyone. In addition to her work in the moving industry, she holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. She still lives in New Orleans, where she walks her two spotted dogs along the Mississippi River every evening.
Ask for recommendations, read customer reviews, determine the services you need and ensure the moving company’s credibility.
Create a detailed inventory of your belongings to help you get accurate cost estimates.
Consider booking a mover at least four to eight weeks in advance for increased availability.
As a project manager for a professional moving company, I know how vulnerable hiring movers can make you feel. Not only are you inviting virtual strangers into your home to interact with you and your family, but you’re entrusting them with all of your belongings.
For expert insight on how to hire movers, I spoke to Pamela Downs, real estate advisor at Compass New England LLC. “I tell my clients that they have to get at least three quotes from different companies and to always get in-person estimates,” she said. “You can learn a lot about a company from that brief interaction, and you know you’re getting an accurate assessment of your stuff.”
There are several steps involved in hiring the best movers, such as creating a moving inventory, obtaining accurate estimates, comparing each company’s services and insurance coverage — and looking out for red flags. We’ve got you covered every step of the way.
When you are ready to get started, you can contact one of the companies below.
Moving companies have varying capabilities, so it’s essential to consider your specific needs before choosing one. A couple of guys can move your two-bedroom apartment across town in an afternoon, but relocating a five-bedroom house across the country takes an entire team and lots of logistical planning.
Similarly, not every company offers the same services. If you have a collection of valuable antiques or fragile art, you’ll want to pick professionals who specialize in handling such items. Some companies offer specialty services, such as white-glove moving (for fragile, high-end and valuable items), while others will strictly load your packed belongings onto the truck and unload them at your new home.
Once you’ve established exactly what you need from your professional movers, do your research and ask for recommendations. Reach out to friends, family and neighbors who’ve planned similar moves.
Downs keeps a list of movers her clients have had good experiences with, so your real estate agent may have recommendations too. If you can’t get a personal recommendation from someone you know, consider asking for advice on a neighborhood forum, such as Nextdoor or Facebook, if you need local movers.
Before you choose your movers, read many reviews. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a good resource for learning about a company and its customers’ past experiences.
A moving broker is an intermediary that connects you with an outside moving company that the broker has partnered with. Brokers do not provide moving services themselves. One of the biggest advantages of using a broker is that it will handle logistics, negotiation and coordination with the chosen moving company.
Another advantage of brokers is that they have extensive networks of carriers they work with and can find the lowest cost estimate for your move. However, not all brokerages properly vet the moving carriers they work with, which can result in inconsistent and poor service quality.
By contrast, a moving carrier is the company responsible for physically transporting your possessions. These companies own the trucks, employ the moving crew and manage the moving process. Working directly with a carrier provides a more hands-on approach, allowing you to communicate directly with the moving company handling your belongings.
This direct relationship may result in a more personalized experience and better communication throughout the moving process. However, the potential downsides include higher costs and limited availability and services.
Full-service movers, such as American Van Lines, offer comprehensive services that include packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, transportation and storage solutions.
The main advantages of full-service movers are convenience and peace of mind, as they take care of nearly every aspect of your relocation process. However, this level of service comes at a higher cost than DIY options.
Self-service moving options, such as PODS moving containers, offer a more flexible and cost-effective approach. PODS will drop off your storage containers, and you can pack your belongings at your own pace. Once packed, the company will transport the container to the new location.
Be realistic about time constraints and your physical capabilities before deciding to take the self-service approach. “You can save a lot of money going with a storage container or renting a moving truck, but packing yourself takes a lot of time and heavy lifting,” said Downs. “A lot of my clients just can’t do it with work schedules and all the physical labor.”
Local movers are smaller companies with more intimate knowledge of the logistics and regulations in specific geographical areas. The benefits of hiring local movers can include lower costs, quicker response times and more personalized service.
The potential downsides are limited resources, fewer service options and potentially less comprehensive insurance coverage than national companies.
National van lines are large moving companies that operate on a national scale. They are able to provide a broad range of services, efficient large-scale relocations and specialized item transport.
Because national van lines offer extensive services, they cost more. Also, their size may lead to a less personalized experience or communication issues.
Finding a reputable company is crucial to a successful and stress-free relocation. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating potential moving companies:
Many moving companies offer online tools that provide instant quotes based on the information you enter. While these online quotes are quick and convenient, they are generally less accurate than other methods.
You can also call moving companies and provide details about your move. Calling allows you to communicate directly with a representative who can ask more specific questions about your inventory. While more accurate than instant online quotes, over-the-phone quotes still rely on the information you provide and may not capture all relevant details.
An in-person evaluation is the most accurate way to receive a quote. A representative from the moving company can visit your home to assess the volume of items, special requirements and potential challenges.
However you choose to get your quote, it helps to have an itemized inventory. Go room by room through your home and create a comprehensive list of all your belongings. Be meticulous in documenting items, from furniture and appliances to smaller possessions, such as clothing and jewelry. Use a spreadsheet or a dedicated moving inventory app to organize the information.
Communicate your detailed inventory to the moving company when requesting a quote. Movers can factor in the specific packing materials, equipment and workforce needed, providing you with a transparent and accurate estimate.
Most moving companies offer specialized services beyond standard transportation. Some of these services include the following:
As you survey your home before the move, take note of any services you may need for specialty items, such as oversized workout equipment or fragile antiques.
Also, try not to overestimate the amount of time you have to pack and prepare for the movers. One common issue I’ve seen with my clients is that they believe they can accomplish more than what’s possible in a short time frame. They end up scrambling at the last minute when they could have hired the moving company for additional services.
When to schedule your move depends on various factors, including the time of year, the day of the week and the overall demand for moving services in your area. Booking movers as early as possible — at least four to eight weeks in advance — is ideal for securing your preferred moving date, especially during peak moving times like spring and summer.
Remember that weekends and the end of the month are popular moving times. Opting for a weekday or midmonth date may increase your chances of securing your preferred moving company.
Some moving companies are more accommodating to last-minute requests during offseasons or weekdays. If you need to secure movers on short notice, it will benefit you to be flexible with scheduling.
The cost of hiring professional movers can vary significantly. To estimate and plan your moving budget, it’s crucial to understand how the following factors will affect the grand total:
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