The Pros and Cons of Using a Full-Service Moving Company

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Suppose you are considering hiring a full-service moving company or doing a move yourself. In that case, this guide has the pros and cons of working with professional movers, followed by frequently asked questions with insights about things to consider.

Pros of Using a Full-Service Moving Company

1. Only supervision is suggested, and there is no back-breaking work.
2. A full-service move is efficient and fast.
3. The move is convenient and less stressful.
4. The packing is professional, done by movers with experience handling heavy or fragile things.
5. If something gets broken, insurance should pay for it.

Cons of Using a Full-Service Moving Company

1. It’s expensive.
2. You need to book the move in advance with limited flexibility for scheduling.
3. The move may happen too quickly with less control over the process.
4. You must be willing to trust strangers with your valuable things.
5. There may be a risk of delays and hidden fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions people have about full-service moving companies.

How much does a full-service move typically cost?

When you get a quote for a full-service move, it will be based on the following:

• Workers: The labor calculation is an hourly rate for the estimated time the packing and moving will take and the cost of the packing supplies to pack your things, load the truck, transport your stuff from the origin site to the destination, unload the truck, and unpack your things.
• Moving Truck: The overhead costs (truck expenses and insurance), the distance between the origin and destination, the size of the moved items, and the total weight.

A local move may cost $1,000 to $2,000. A national move, with a full moving truck, may cost over $10,000.

Should I use a local, regional, national, or international moving company?

The primary consideration for what size of moving company you should use is how far it is from the origin (where things are loaded for transport) to the destination. For short-distance moves, a local company might be able to handle the move better and quote a lower price than a national company.

For a move within the same state or to a nearby state, consider a company that has a regional service area. For cross-country moves, you need a national company with a service area that covers both your origin and destination for the move.

For moving out of the country, if an ocean port is nearby, consider a local or regional company to get your things to the nearest ocean container shipment hub and have a freight forwarder help you coordinate the transport of your things internationally. You will also need another company at the destination to take your things from the ship’s warehouse to your new place.

What services do full-service moving companies offer?

Full-service moving companies do everything. They pack your things, load them onto their truck, drive them to your new place, unload everything, and even help you unpack. Some will even disassemble and reassemble furniture.

How do full-service movers handle fragile and valuable items?

Professional movers handle fragile and valuable items with precision and utmost care. They will take an inventory before the move and bring what is necessary, such as customized crates or specialized packaging materials, to pack your things properly.

Is it better to hire movers or rent a truck and move myself?

Hiring full-service movers is easier on your body and your time. It offers more protection with better packing and insurance but costs more. A full-service move will likely be a better choice if you can afford it.

What should I look for when choosing a full-service moving company?

When picking a mover, look for reviews/complaints on—Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Check to see if the moving company is licensed and insured. Get a few quotes, check the moving agreement for hidden fees, and ask for a detailed breakdown of costs so you don’t end up surprised by "extra fees" later.

How do I use self-storage to make the move go smoothly?

Consider renting a self-storage unit on both ends of your move., especially if you must vacate a property by a specific date and cannot leave anything at the property.

Here are some ideas about how to use a self-storage facility at your origin site for the move:

• Temporary Relocations: You may be moving for a short period and plan to come back. Depending on how long you will stay at the destination, take only what you need and leave the rest of your things behind in a self-storage facility.
• Time is of the Essence: Perhaps for various reasons, you must move fast due to an emergency or to capture an opportunity. You can use a self-storage facility to hold things until you have more time to sort through them and manage their deposition later.
• Things Left Behind for Good Reasons: Suppose you are downsizing or responsible for the estate of someone who passed; you may use a self-storage unit to hold things that are not worth moving or that you wish to sell at auction instead of keeping. Here are some ideas about how to use a self-storage facility at your destination for the move:
• You Need to Find a New Place: Many moves require coordination with the sale of one home and the related purchase of another house. Sometimes, people need to close on one property sale to be able to financially close on a property purchase
• The New Place is Not Ready: Perhaps you have identified the new place, but it is not ready to move in. A self-storage unit can hold your things at the destination location, giving you access to them until your new place is ready.
• The New Place is Smaller than the Old Place: Renting a self-storage unit before your moving truck’s arrival gives you an overflow space for things that cannot fit in your new place. If you mark these items to be stored and pack them first in the truck (to be removed from the truck last), you can have the truck and moving team first unload your things at the new place and then unload a second group of things at the self-storage unit.

We're Your Storage Solution!

Storage Rentals of America is your convenient self-storage solution. So come into our office or give our storage experts a call at 1-800-457-5678. Our call center is available 7 days a week and can help determine which storage unit size best fits your storage needs.