How to Find Cheap Movers to Box Your Home Possessions

Table of Contents:

Finding Cheap Movers

Are you moving locally or cross-country? In either situation, moving to a new home has many associated costs, and finding a reliable, quality, and affordable moving company should be at the top of your to-do list. Luckily, these types of companies do exist.

Steps to Find Cheap Movers

It is easy to find cheap movers around you – inexpensive movers that will move your possessions at an affordable rate.

1. Start looking for cheap movers ASAP.

Ideally, you are looking for cheap, quality movers that offer all of the services you need at the price point you are looking for. However, these companies will be in high demand throughout the year, not just during the moving season. Therefore, you will want to be diligent and look as soon as you can to find these cheap moving companies before they are fully booked.

Start looking as soon as your move is confirmed. The sooner you start looking, the more likely you will find the best full-service moving company deal. Ideally, you should start your search a few months before moving, but that is okay if you have less time. When you have more time, you have more choices and flexibility in which moving company you choose. You may also get discounts for booking early.

1. Ask around for reliable recommendations.

The best way to start your search is by asking your friends and family which moving companies they recommend. Neighbors and co-workers are also good sources for referrals. If you receive a recommendation, ask the name of the company they used and their overall experience, with specifics about the service quality and affordability.

All moving companies will claim they are the best but finding cheap furniture movers can be a challenge, and that is why personal recommendations are the way to go. People you trust will offer the best advice. Of course, in some cases, you may not be able to receive recommendations from people you know. If this is the case for you, there are other ways to find affordable movers.

1. Request in-home price estimates

You can request from several moving companies price estimates and compare the offers. Choosing the one that works for you on your budget makes the most sense. However, there are a few items to look at and ask when receiving these quotes.

Avoid blindly trusting price quotes over the phone or email, as they are just an estimate and may not be as detailed as you need them. In-home surveys from several top-rated movers will provide a more precise estimate. The mover will come to your home to see all of your possessions to get a clearer idea of what they will be moving.

The moving company will also assess any challenging situations or dangers they will need to traverse, such as several flights of stairs, lack of an elevator, or tight corridors. Also, if any specialty items need packing and transportation, that will be considered in the price. You do not want any surprises to come on moving day.

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1. Compare the various moving estimates.

Once you receive all your estimates from your friend, family, and the moving companies, compare their bids and select a winner. The cheapest rate on the bottom line is not always the best option.

The first thing you need to do is review the bid details. Next, check the services listed and corresponding rates. It’s a good idea to also look for additional service fees such as packing, unpacking, temporary storage, furniture assembly, and other specialties such as crating or shuttle services. Finally, talk with your moving company to gain clarity on pieces of the quote you do not understand and question how they derived the quote calculations.

1. Know the average moving costs in your area.

The goal should be to find the cheapest movers in your area. This will require you to know the average moving costs.

Local movers will charge you at an average cost of $50 per mover per hour. The exact rate will depend on the specific location, season, and day of the week you move.

Here is a list of some cost breakdowns.

Two men and a truck (local move) – between $90 and $120 per hour

Studio apartment move – $300-$400

One-bedroom apartment move – $400-$500

Two-bedroom home – $750-$900

Three-bedroom home – $1,400-$1,600

These costs do not include extra services.

Long-distance movers will have different rates.

When moving across the country, you will most likely be charged a flat fee based on how much your possessions weigh and the distance you drive, along with any services. There can also be extra charges because it is such a long distance.

When you move across the country, expect to pay the following prices.

Leaving a studio apartment- $1,000.

One bedroom apartment- $1,400-$2,100.

Two bedroom home- $3,400-$4,100.

Three bedroom home – $6,200.

These costs are based on a move distance of one thousand miles and do not include extra services.

1. Watch out for estimates that seem too low.

Searching for the cheapest movers near you could cause you problems.

If one quote is a lot less than the rest of the bids, it may be fraudulent. Some movers are dishonest and will scam people.

The estimates that are too low will be a too-good-to-be-true type offer that is unrealistic and drastically different than the other estimates received from legitimate businesses. Don’t be fooled. Look through the quote to determine why it is so cheap and ask questions before deciding.

1. Check the legal status of the movers.

Research all candidates and ensure they are 100 percent licensed, insured, and reputable.

These steps help you find affordable moving companies that will pack and ship your possessions and meet your service requirements to fit your lifestyle. However, before selecting your final bid, do your homework and the research to find the best companies and make sure they are licensed, insured, and reputable.

U.S. Department of Transportation.

Interstate movers must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to operate legally. Each qualified moving company possesses a unique USDOT number issued by the department as proof that they are licensed and insured. The department’s website will verify the licensing information of the cheap moving companies you have chosen.

American Storage and Moving Association.

AMSA is the most prestigious association in the moving and storage industry. Visit AMSA’s website to check if the movers you are considering hiring are members. If they are (usually marked as ProMovers), you can have more confidence in their services.

Finally, visit the mover companies’ websites to ensure everything looks okay. They should also have their USDOT numbers or MC numbers visible on their website pages.

1. Read genuine customer reviews.

Read customer reviews online, especially if you do not have references from family and friends for the business. The studies usually have a star rating, followed by comments made by the reviewer.

Be sure to peruse as many customer reviews as possible to get an accurate picture of the service experience. For example, when looking for cheap movers, you want to see reviews with comments on low prices but still focus on the movers’ good job.

Start your hunt for cheap movers by visiting three of the best moving reviews websites: MyMovingReviews, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau.

1. Try out your negotiation skills.

When selecting a final inexpensive moving company, try to negotiate a better price. You can sum up the final cost into a few components – the shipment’s total weight, the requested and required moving services, and the specific moving company’s pricing.

Talk with the movers to see if there are eligible discounts for early booking, promotions, first-time customers, students, or returning customers. Search the internet for booking coupons. Another solution if the bid is higher than you can pay is to guarantee the mover you will select them as your mover if they come down on the price. This way, the mover knows they will get the business and may be willing to adjust the price to ensure it.

1. See the big picture.

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Finally, when moving cheaply, think about all costs associated with the move.

In addition to hiring a cheap moving company, here’s what else you should do to keep your moving expenses to a minimum:

• Pack yourself and ask friends and family to help save the money you’d otherwise give to professional packers.
• Find free packing materials and alternative packing supplies to lower the final moving cost.
• Purge to reduce the number of household items you’re moving to the new home.
• Find free moving boxes from friends or local businesses to lower your packing expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my employer pay for my move?

Sometimes employers will pay for your move. The agreement should be reached, however, before you make a move. They may reimburse you for some or all your moving expenses.

How much should I budget for moving expenses?

Local moves cost around $400 to $500 to move. The cost goes higher the further you move and could be in the thousands if you move across the country. Full-service moves are more expensive than partial-service moves.

Are there tax incentives for moving?

There are moving tax incentives for active-duty members of the military.

Is it cheaper to move during the week?

Yes, it is cheaper to move during the week than the weekend. However, the most affordable option is to have friends and family help you move when they are available rather than a moving company.

What is the cheapest truck rental for moving?

Truck rentals vary widely across the country depending upon your location, the size of the truck you rent, and how far you are driving. Several moving truck companies offer rentals, such as Budget, U-Haul, and Enterprise.

Summary

Cheap movers that provide quality service at a discount can be a challenge to find. The steps above outline an overview to get you started. Do your research and plan effectively to maximize your experience and reduce costs.