Are you planning on moving your family soon?
Between kids, schools, and everything in between, moving your family is stressful enough. The last thing you need is sky-high moving bills.
Every year, nearly 28 million Americans relocate and millions of families move looking for cost-effective movers that won’t empty out their savings accounts.
The Problem:
The issue is most families end up overpaying. They compare a few moving companies, and then get surprised by the final bill. It’s estimated 64% of people hiring movers pay $2282 more than the initial quote.
That’s a huge chunk of your moving budget that could have gone to higher quality furniture, extra help around the house, or simply a nice dinner out.
The good news… With some basic know-how, you can find cheap moving companies without sacrificing quality. You just need to know how to spot reputable movers and avoid the ones with cheesy marketing.
Table of Contents
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why Most Families Overspend on Moving Services
- How To Compare Cheap Moving Companies Smartly
- Questions to Ask Any Moving Company You Hire
- Top Money-Saving Moving Hacks to Save Money
Why Most Families Overspend on Moving Services
Movers are in the business of moving stuff. And they love families with kids.
Parents are often so focused on making moving with children go smoothly that we’ll sign off on nearly any request. Extra insurance? Sure! Premium packing? No problem!
The problem is these “premium” services cost a lot of money but don’t offer much value.
Let’s be honest: premium packing is a way to charge you for a service you can easily do yourself.
Smart moving families will itemize their needs. What do you need? What can you do?
The Smart Way to Compare Cheap Moving Companies
Comparing cheap moving companies is the first step.
It’s the “lay of the land” and “research” portion of the moving process. You’re not picking yet, you’re just getting data and familiarizing yourself with your options.
Get At Least Three Detailed Quotes
To start, you need at least 3 detailed quotes from moving companies you think you may want to work with.
Keep in mind, many people fall into the trap of getting 3 ultra-cheap quotes and then choosing.
Ultra-cheap quotes are problematic because they hide fees in the cost. The company quotes you a low price but then hits you with hidden fees on moving day. Your $800 local move ends up being $1,500.
You want to work with moving companies that offer all-inclusive transparent prices without hidden fees.
When you request a quote, be sure you are comparing “apples to apples”.
This means the services each mover is quoting need to be the same. Some companies will include the cost of packing materials in their quote while others may not.
To ensure you are getting the best value, be as detailed as possible in your quote request. Include information like:
- Exact pickup and delivery addresses
- A detailed inventory of items being moved
- Any access concerns
- Requested moving dates
The more details you give, the more accurate the moving quote will be.
Look Beyond The Price
The cheapest quote is not always the best value.
Some companies offer lowball quotes but have a history of damaging items, arriving late, and just being terrible.
Why would you want to work with a terrible company just to save a few bucks? You’ll just end up regretting the decision later when you have to replace your $200 coffee table.
Look for value instead of just a low price.
Move companies that offer both competitive pricing and good reputations. Check out their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and their Google reviews.
Essential Questions Every Family Should Ask
Before hiring a moving company, certain questions should be asked. The purpose of these is to make sure the company is above board and to avoid being scammed by fly-by-night moving companies.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
It should go without saying, but you should only work with a licensed moving company.
Ask any moving company for their license and proof of insurance before you even think of hiring.
Interstate moving companies are required to be licensed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Local companies are not required but are a strong sign they are a legitimate company.
Ask for the DOT number and check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Companies without licenses should be automatically disqualified. If they have trouble immediately providing you proof of licensing, it’s a red flag.
What’s Included In Your Base Price?
Base price should include basic moving services with no add-ons or additional fees.
Ask specifically what is included in the base price like:
- Loading and unloading
- Basic moving equipment (dollies, straps, blankets)
- Travel time between the two locations
- Fuel
How Do You Handle Damages?
Accidents happen even with careful movers. The important part is how the moving company handles these accidents.
Ask about their claim process, timelines, and required documentation. If the moving company is vague about their damage policy, it’s a sign to cross them off your list.
Ask for recent references as well. Professional companies will be more than willing to give you references from recent customers.
Money Saving Moving Tips
Ready for the money saving tips? Here are 6 ways to save money without sacrificing the quality of your move.
Do As Much Packing As Possible Yourself
This is the easiest way to save money during any move.
Packing services cost a fortune. Packing and unpacking a family home is generally $500-$1500. This is an expense you can avoid easily by doing your own packing.
Focus on packing non-fragile items yourself like:
- Clothes and linens
- Books and documents
- Kitchen items (except dishes)
- Toys and personal items
Leave fragile items for the professionals.
Moving Date Flexibility
Peak moving times cost more due to simple supply and demand.
If you can move outside of these times, you can save money. Peak times include:
- Summer months (May-September)
- Beginning and end of the month
- Weekends
Moving in the slow seasons could save you 10-20% on your overall costs.
Declutter Before Moving
Moving costs are tied to the number of items being moved.
The more items you move, the higher your bill. The more items you have, the more time it takes the movers to do their job. Plus, most movers charge by weight or volume. The more you have, the higher your costs.
So declutter as much as possible.
Take the time to go through each room in your house and honestly assess if you really need the item. Is that treadmill you bought to get in shape in 2020 still gathering dust?
Decluttering is the best way to reduce moving costs and embrace a fresh start.
Hybrid Moving Options
Full-service movers and do-it-yourself moves are the two ends of the moving spectrum. However, these options have a lot of flexibility.
Partial service moves mean using only certain services from the moving company. A few hybrid moving options to consider are:
- Moving containers: you pack them, they transport
- Moving labor: you rent the truck, they load and unload
- Partial service: they pack fragile items and you do the rest
Hybrid moving options often cost 30-50% less than full-service moving.
The Bottom Line: Smart Moving Starts With Smart Planning
The key to finding cost-effective moving services is to plan ahead.
Compare prices, do the math, and get estimates from at least 3 licensed moving companies.
Don’t waste time looking at fly-by-night movers without any online presence or BBB accreditation.
The families that save the most money are the ones that start early.
Start planning and shopping for moving companies 4-6 weeks before you want to move.
Ready to start saving money?
Start by getting detailed quotes from at least 3 licensed moving companies in your area.
