Category : Moving Tips

The moving process is busy enough long before you even start packing. Many homeowners and renters alike understandably want to know what they’re responsible for before moving. So, does everything have to be in boxes for movers?

You must pack all of your small items in boxes before movers can load them onto trucks. However, you cannot pack abrasive or flammable chemicals and fluids, like kerosene and gasoline. Some moving companies also won’t handle live plants. Otherwise, you must pack everything in boxes besides your furniture and appliances.

Talk to your moving company if you’re unsure of what they are willing to transport. It’s also worth checking instead of getting stuck with boxes they cannot transport. Follow along as we highlight everything you’re responsible for packing before a move.

Does Everything Need to Be in a Box When You Move?

Not everything must be in a box when you move, but you should at least pack small items in boxes. For example, most homeowners pack clothes, dishes, DVDs, and decorations in boxes, among other items. You can even pack fragile items like chandeliers in boxes, although white-glove service may be needed.

The vast majority of the items in your home can likely fit in a box. Go room-by-room, organize your items, and pack everything besides furniture and dangerous items. It’s also a great idea to pack a separate box that you won’t send with the moving trucks.

You can use this box for personal items you’ll need right away when you arrive at your new house. For example, you can pack toiletries, snacks, paper plates, napkins, and a change of clothes for easy access. However, you must pack everything else in boxes besides furniture and dangerous items.

What Can You Not Pack in a Box When Moving?

You cannot pack any dangerous items in a box when moving, such as gasoline. That said, this only applies to boxes that the moving crew will move. You can pack anything you want in a box if you’re the one who is going to move it.

However, moving companies have strict policies, some of which are mandated by laws, regarding what they can transport. Never pack a box with anything flammable, like oxygen tanks, kerosene, nail polish remover, and automotive chemicals. Doing so can put the moving crew at risk of fire while they’re driving down the highway with a truck full of your belongings.

That’s why it’s important to review your contract when you hire a moving company. It should include a list of acceptable items and highlight items they won’t transport. The last thing you want to do is get stuck with boxes the movers cannot take on your moving day. You won’t have to worry about that if you review the list.

Will a Moving Company Pack My Stuff?

Yes, a full-service moving company can pack your belongings for you at an extra cost. This is known as Full Packing and Unpacking, and it’s one of the most popular moving services. The moving company will provide packing materials, such as bubble wrap, tape, and boxes.

They will then visit your home and carefully pack your belongings. The key benefit of this service is that they will also unpack your belongings in the room they belong. This saves people hours and even days of packing and unpacking before and after moving.

Keep in mind that the same rules apply regarding what they can and cannot transport. You will still be responsible for transporting chemicals and flammable items even if you choose a Full Packing service. Full Packing can add anywhere from $300 to $1,000 or more to your moving costs, depending on the volume of belongings.

Can I Leave Stuff in Drawers for Movers?

You cannot leave your drawers full of belongings when you hire movers. This naturally makes it much harder to carry the dresser or cabinet in question. Not only is that inconvenient, but it can also be dangerous depending on how much it weighs.

However, some movers may be okay with you leaving stuff in drawers if you have a tiny, child-sized dresser or cabinet. Otherwise, many moving companies forbid this as an overall rule to protect their moving crews. There’s also a greater risk of items breaking when left in drawers, so it’s not worth the trouble.

Do Movers Pack Boxes or Furniture First?

Movers typically pack furniture before they load boxes onto the truck. Loading heavy and bulky items onto the truck first makes it much easier to space and protect your items. After all, you don’t want your appliances and dressers slamming into your boxes.

Movers will load the boxes onto the truck once the heavy items are secure. Experienced moving crews know how to distribute weight evenly to protect your belongings and keep the truck safe. Your boxes are unlikely to shift and slide if the truck has a solid base of furniture in the back.

Full-Service Movers With a Plan

Our skilled team is our biggest asset at Optimum Moving, and that starts with the thorough planning stage. Some homeowners don’t have time to pack their belongings, and we are happy to do it for them. Don’t hesitate to ask about our Full Packing service during your consultation. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to schedule your upcoming move.

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Hiring movers to transport your belongings from one home to another requires a lot of trust. Nobody wants to unpack their belongings and discover damage, after all. So, are movers responsible for the damage?

Movers are responsible for damage, the extent of which depends on the insurance coverage plan you choose. Full Value Protection costs 1% to 2% of the value of your belongings and Released Value Protection is a free plan. However, Released Value Protection only compensates customers for $0.60 per pound of damaged and lost items.

It’s a great idea to take pictures of your belongings and home before moving. That makes it easier to file a claim with your moving company if you notice your belongings are home suffered damage. Follow along as we explore how movers are responsible for damage and highlight the claim process.

Are Movers Liable for Damage?

Movers are responsible for damage, but how much responsibility they take depends on your coverage plan. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), you must file a claim within 9 months of the move. Federal law requires moving companies to offer two insurance coverage plans: Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection.

Released Value Protection (RVP) is a free insurance coverage plan that you can choose when you schedule a move. This coverage plan reimburses customers $0.60 per pound of lost and damaged items during the move. For example, a moving company would compensate you $24 for a damaged coffee table that weighs 40 pounds.

Conversely, Full Value Protection is a premium insurance coverage plan that customers can choose. The price of Full Value Protection is based on 1% to 2% of the value of your household belongings. This includes full reimbursement for lost and damaged items.

When Are Movers Responsible for Damage?

Movers are only responsible for damage that occurs during the move. You can’t expect movers to compensate you for damage that occurred before the move. Moving companies take a thorough inventory of your belongings before handling them.

This lets them figure out how many packing materials they need and even determine what truck they should use. It also tells movers what condition your belongings are in before handling them. Upon filing a claim, the movers will check your photographic evidence and often cross-reference it with their information.

What to Do if Movers Damage Your Property

Unfortunately, damaged items are somewhat common when moving, despite the movers’ best efforts. Luckily, you can make the situation much easier for yourself by taking the right steps, such as:

1. Take Pictures

Take pictures of the item that suffered damage to speed up the reimbursement process. This is the best way to quickly communicate which item was damaged and highlight the severity. Make sure the picture is well-lit and clear enough to articulate the damage.

Granted, you can’t take a picture of an item that went missing during the move. In that case, you must describe the item to articulate what you’re referring to. This is often just as useful as a picture because movers take inventory of your belongings throughout the process.

It’s a great idea to take inventory of everything you have before the movers handle your belongings. This makes it easy to double-check everything when the move is over. Doing so also makes it easier to organize, pack, and unpack your belongings.

2. Review Your Coverage

It’s a great idea to review your coverage plan before calling the moving company. This makes it easier to understand what kind of coverage you are entitled to. Review the contract you signed and double-check to see whether you have Released Value or Full Value Protection.

Ideally, you should have a great understanding of the contract and your insurance coverage during the consultation. Never hesitate to ask questions about insurance coverage and the moving services you’re entitled to. This can help you decide whether Released Value or Full Value Protection is the best choice for you.

Many homeowners find Full Value Protection worthwhile when moving with many high-value items. That’s especially true for long-distance moves where items are more likely to get damaged because of the long trek.

3. Contact the Movers

You must call or email the moving company to express your concerns over the damaged or lost item. They will likely put you in touch with the moving crew’s foreman or coordinator to discuss the issue. The coordinator who headed your move can review your contract and item inventory.

Explain the situation and specify which items you believe were damaged or went missing during the move. They will take note of it and request that you send the office pictures of the items in question. Review the pictures to ensure they are clear and provide a succinct description when you email the moving company.

4. Give Them Some Time

Don’t panic if a representative from the moving company doesn’t reach out right away. Be patient as it sometimes takes several days or even weeks for the process to be completed. They must verify the information, review your item inventory, and process the reimbursement.

Someone from the moving company’s office may even reach out to ask some follow-up questions. Luckily, you will get reimbursed accordingly based on the coverage plan you choose if everything checks out.

What Should I Do if Movers Damage My House?

Take pictures of your damaged walls or floors if you believe the moving crew is at fault. The process is the same as filing a claim for damaged items. Granted, it’s much easier if you took pictures throughout your house before the movers arrived.

That way, you can easily demonstrate the difference between before and after they arrive. Keep in mind that this isn’t always as cut and dry as reimbursing for items they can easily evaluate. For example, they may need to speak to a contractor or see receipts to reimburse you for the cost of patching a wall.

Start the process as soon as you notice damage to get reimbursed quickly. Call them right away and follow the steps they require to complete the process.

NJ Movers With Your Best Interest in Mind

Our crew at Optimum Moving takes every precaution to protect our customers’ belongings. Even still, accidents can happen, and items occasionally get damaged. That’s why we make our damage claim process easy for each customer to follow.

After all, we want you to start your next chapter at a new home without any moving-related stress. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to review our coverage plans and book your next move.

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Moving into a new home isn’t the only time you may need help from professional movers. You’re not alone if you’ve wanted to enlist the help of a moving company for a storage unit. So, can I hire movers for a storage unit?

It costs an average of $115 per hour to hire movers for a storage unit, or $80 to $150 per hour. Movers often charge $60 per hour per person, so a 2-person crew costs at least $120 per hour before other expenses. Other costs include moving insurance, distance, shipping weight, and the shipping method. LTL shipping is the cheapest option.

You can save money when you hire movers for a storage unit if you forego special moving services. For example, packing everything without help can save hundreds of dollars. Follow along as we explore everything you must know about hiring movers for a storage unit.

Will Movers Go to a Storage Unit?

You can hire many moving companies to transport your belongings to a storage unit. This is a great way to free up some space in your home whether you’re moving or not. It can also help cut costs before a move if you store some belongings in a storage unit.

That’s because shipping weight is a big part of the cost of moving. Putting some of your belongings in a storage unit can lower the shipping weight once you eventually move. It’s also a great way to declutter your home even if you don’t plan to move anytime soon.

Some people store their items in a storage unit to protect them from damage. For example, this is a great idea if your home is in the line of a natural disaster, like a hurricane or tornado. Hiring movers for a storage unit is typically cheaper than moving all of your home’s belongings.

Cost to Hire Movers for a Storage Unit

You can expect to spend up to $180 per hour to hire movers for a storage unit. It’s typically much cheaper than moving to a new home. However, it’s important to consider the key factors that affect the cost, such as:

Distance

Transportation is one of the most important parts of moving your belongings into a storage unit. That’s why moving companies charge for mileage and fuel costs. The standard mileage price range is $0.50 to $1.00 per mile depending on the moving company.

This is typically quite affordable for local moves within 50 miles of the point of origin. However, the cost of mileage adds up quickly for long-distance moves.

Shipping Weight

Shipping weight is just as important as distance when it comes to hiring movers for a storage unit. Movers charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound for a move, whether it be a house or storage unit. However, some movers instead use a formula to approximate shipping weight based on the volume of your belongings.

For example, moving 1,800 pounds of items into a storage unit costs up to $3,000. This cost doesn’t include additional moving services, like full packing. The moving crew may weigh the truck when it’s empty and weigh it again after it’s full of your belongings.

Otherwise, they may charge a flat rate based on the size and volume of your belongings. Keep in mind that the cost per pound is separate from the hourly rate that movers charge.

Shipping Method

The shipping method goes hand in hand with shipping weight, but it’s a separate cost factor. Moving companies typically offer two shipping options: guaranteed shipping and less than a truckload shipping. Less than a truckload, or LTL, is the most common option when moving into a storage unit.

That’s because you don’t likely need a truck dedicated to your belongings unless you’re moving to a home. LTL is also the cheapest option and saves hundreds of dollars compared to guaranteed shipping.

Hourly Rate

It costs an average of $60 per hour per person to hire movers for a storage unit. For example, hiring 2 movers for a storage unit often costs $120 per hour. In some cases, you can get a reduced rate when a move calls for 4 or more movers.

In that case, you may spend $200 per hour instead of $240 per hour. While $60 is the average hourly rate per person, some companies charge up to $80 per hour per person. That said, large moving crews are rarely required for a storage unit move.

Moving Crew Size

The size of your moving crew affects the cost in a few ways. First, you must pay more per hour for each mover that joins the crew. For example, $120 per hour for 2 movers or $180 per hour for 3 movers, depending on the rate.

Second, the size of the moving crew largely determines how quickly the move will go. Storage units aren’t typically that large, and you can’t fit too much stuff in them. By that measure, a 2-person moving can often move to a storage unit and load it within 3 hours.

Bigger moves may take 4-6 hours depending on distance and the volume of belongings. That said, the move can go much faster if the crew includes more people. You may pay more per hour, but you will likely pay for fewer hours than you would with a small crew.

Insurance

Some people forego premium insurance when they hire movers for a storage unit. This is understandable as it isn’t likely as substantial of a move as a house is. However, moving always carries the risk of losing and or damaging items.

That’s why it’s worth the cost to pay extra for a premium coverage plan. Moving companies offer premium coverage rates that cover full compensation for lost and damaged items. This typically comes to cost 1% to 2% of the value of the belongings you are moving with.

Because storage units are relatively small, you aren’t likely to move many items at once, which keeps the cost low. However, premium insurance can be expensive when moving valuable items like art and furniture into a storage unit. Otherwise, you can opt for a complimentary insurance plan that covers $0.60-$1.00 per pound of damaged or broken items.

Reliable Storage Unit Moving Services

We may specialize in moving homes and businesses, but we’ve helped countless people move their belongings into storage units. The rates are naturally lower than moving into a home in most cases, but we put our all into it. Whether you’re trying to declutter or make room for a bigger family, we’re here to help. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to get an estimate for your storage unit move.

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose track of your responsibilities before a move. However, you can save yourself a lot of stress if you do everything you can to get ready. Even still, you may be lost with how to prepare for movers.

The best way to prepare for movers is to create a checklist of your responsibilities. Go room by room and organize, clean, and pack your belongings starting weeks before you move. Separate important documents and things you need for work so they don’t get lost amongst the many moving boxes.

It’s also important to board your pets and hire a babysitter if you have kids. This makes things much less stressful on your moving day. Follow along as we explore 12 ways to prepare for movers and make your moving day go smoothly.

How to Get Ready for Movers

1. Create a Checklist

It’s much easier to prepare for movers if you create a thorough checklist. The checklist should include household chores and things you must do to tie up loose ends at your current home. It’s important to prioritize changing your utilities and address during the process.

Create a list of chores that you can tackle one at a time to avoid burning yourself out. Start with a list of each room in your house, and write down everything that must be done in each room. For example, you must clean your kitchen counters and empty the drawers and cabinets.

Focus on clearing cabinets, closets, and drawers in the weeks or months before your move. Once it gets closer, you can clean the surfaces in your home. Keep in mind that you must likely clean a bit more once everything is out of your home.

2. Declutter

Moving is the best time to declutter as you may see some belongings that you barely even think about. Everything must get packed, so take this time to consider what is worth keeping. Not only does this lower the shipping weight, but it also helps make room for new things.

You don’t necessarily need to throw things away when you declutter. Instead, think about what you can donate or even sell to earn some extra cash to cover moving expenses. Otherwise, you can place some items in a storage unit if your new home doesn’t have room for them.

3. Choose Your Moving Services

Have you already scheduled your move? If so, that may not mean it’s too late to request additional moving services. Special moving services come at an extra cost, but they can make your move preparation much easier.

For example, you may realize your schedule is far too hectic to pack everything without help. In that case, you can contact the moving company and request a full packing and unpacking service. This can save you hours and even days of stress, allowing you to focus on your responsibilities.

Take a realistic look at your belongings, including furniture, and think about how easily you can disassemble or pack them. It’s worth paying extra for furniture disassembly if you’re too busy or have physical limitations. Ideally, you should request these services weeks or months before you move.

4. Prioritize Communication

Professional moving crews work with countless homeowners and renters year-round. They know what they have to offer, but they may not know what you expect. It’s up to you to communicate well, ask questions as needed, and articulate your expectations.

For example, it’s important to figure out what is included in your move. Unless you schedule a full-service move, you will probably get the bare minimum moving services. A standard move entails loading the truck, transporting your belongings, and unloading them.

If you expect everything to be done, then you must let them know that. In that case, they will likely suggest that you upgrade to a full-service move. While it costs more, it ensures that all your needs are met and leaves nothing to the imagination.

5. Keep Track of Everything

Professional movers are quite responsible, but nobody knows your belongings better than you. It’s worth taking the time to create a list of your belongings before your move. Label your boxes, highlighting what’s in them and which rooms they belong in.

This will make it much easier for the crew to unload your belongings. It’s also much easier to get settled and unpack your belongings if each box is labeled. Moving crews take inventory, but it helps to have a backup inventory sheet for yourself.

6. Prepare Your Furniture

Unless you pay for a full-service move, you must take your furniture apart. This is something that many people understandably wait until nearly the last minute to do. However, you can save yourself some time and stress if you start early.

For example, you may want to disassemble furniture you rarely use days or weeks before the move. That way, you can get it out of the way and focus on trickier furniture on the big day. After all, you’ll likely need some extra time to take your bed frames apart on the big day.

7. Create Easy Access

The last thing you want to do is create obstacles for your movers and make everything take longer. You can avoid this if you create paths and make sure every room is easy to access. If you won’t be home, you must provide keys, access codes, and an alarm code.

It also helps to open your garage door even if your garage is open. That’s because it may be easier for them to move some items out through your garage instead of the front door. Communicate with your landlord if you’re a renter to see how you can make things easier for the movers.

8. Keep Track of Important Items

When packing, it’s all too easy to misplace important documents, like birth certificates and Social Security cards. You can avoid this problem if you create a special file or folder for such documents. Keep this file with you instead of putting the documents in a cluttered box.

That way, you know exactly where they are and they won’t get lost in the shuffle. It’s also worth taking your Wi-Fi router and computer with you in a separate car. That way, you can quickly set them up upon arrival without digging through boxes.

9. Hire a Babysitter

Moving with a large family can be quite hard. That’s especially true if your children are too young to help you move. In that case, it’s worth hiring a babysitter to take care of your kids throughout the process. You can save money if you drop them off at a family member’s house.

10. Plan for Your Pets

Dogs and cats understandably get overwhelmed when a moving crew enters their home. Not only can this lead to constant barking and aggressive behavior, but it’s also risky. Moving entails leaving doors open for long periods, providing a chance for your pets to escape.

The last thing you need on your moving day is to stress about your pets. That’s why it’s worth boarding your pets to get them out of the way and get some peace of mind. It costs an average of $40 per day to board your pets, or up to $100.

Otherwise, you can leave your pets with a trusted friend or family member. Once the movers are done unloading, you can bring your pets to your new home.

11. Be There for the Movers

Movers are capable of moving your belongings without you being there. However, it’s worth sticking around your home on the big moving day. That way, you can answer questions as needed and help provide guidance.

For example, they may have an important question about an appliance connection. Being able to ask in person saves time compared to playing phone tag to get an answer. It’s also a great idea to stay onsite so you can conduct a final walkthrough before heading to your new home.

12. Carry Cash

Moving crews work hard for long hours, and it’s often painstaking work. That’s why people typically tip their movers to show appreciation for their work. Movers don’t necessarily expect anything from you, but it’s worth tipping $20 to $40 per person depending on the scale of the move.

For example, $20 per person is the standard for local moves. However, people often tip $40 per person for long-distance moves as they entail extra work. Some homeowners tip drivers more as they safely transport their belongings.

We Make it Easy to Prepare for Your Upcoming Move

At Optimum Moving, communication is one of the most important things we prioritize. Not only does this make our responsibilities easier, but it helps ease our customers’ minds. The process starts when you call us at (855) 315-6683 to set up a consultation. Big or small, each move matters.

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Countless people rely on the help of professional moving crews to make their days easier. Being a movers entails lots of hard work, heavy lifting, and patience, and that’s why they often get tips. So, do you tip movers when they load or unload?

Ideally, you should tip movers after they unload and are ready to leave your home for the day. That way, their hands will be free and they won’t be busy moving your belongings. This also gives you a chance to assess their performance when you consider how much you should tip them.

Movers aren’t guaranteed tips, but it’s customary to tip them because of the nature of their work. People often tip at least $10 per person per hour for simple moves, and more for complex, long-distance moves. Follow along as we highlight when and how to tip your movers to show your appreciation.

When Should You Tip Movers?

The best time to tip movers is after they’re done unloading your belongings. Ideally, you should wait until they’re ready to leave your home and head back to their facility. Some people tip movers while they’re loading, which is quite kind.

However, this is when movers are the busiest, so it may distract them. Keep in mind that they may not have a free hand or pocket to accept your tip during this time. Moving crews typically chat with customers before leaving for the day.

This is the best chance to offer them a tip as they’re done working. Simply thank them for their hard work and offer a cash tip to compensate them.

Why Do You Tip Movers?

It’s customary to tip movers because it is a hard job that requires lots of work. Movers work long hours and take great measures to ensure your belongings are safe. Long-distance movers often must leave their homes for up to a few days to haul your belongings to your new home.

Even local moves require hours of heavy lifting and assembling furniture. It’s a rewarding job because it’s a service that countless people require. However, you must consider why you hired movers in the first place.

Many people hire movers because they need help moving all their belongings. Others hire movers because of limited schedules and physical limitations. It’s worth tipping movers to show appreciation for their hard work as they helped you with something that would otherwise be hard.

Do You Tip Movers Separately?

Many people tip movers separately to ensure they each get a fair share of the tip. Granted, this can sometimes be hard if you’re dealing with a large moving crew. In that case, it helps to keep track of everyone to ensure you can tip each of them.

Some people tip the foreman of the moving crew out of convenience. This is acceptable as well, but it’s worth doing it in front of at least one other person. That way, you can make sure the foreman will evenly distribute each person’s share of the tip.

How Much Should You Tip Movers?

Many people tip each mover $20 for local moves and $40 or more for long-distance moves. However, there is no ironclad rule as moves vary when it comes to duration and difficulty. For example, you may only tip $5 to $10 per person per hour for a simple move.

This is appropriate for a studio apartment or 1-bedroom move that only takes 1 to 2 hours. Some people find it easier to base their tip on a percentage of the cost of the move. People typically tip at least 5% when going based on a percentage.

However, many people tip up to 15% to 20% of the cost of the move. This is especially fair for full-service movers and long-distance moves. It’s also common to tip the truck driver slightly more, tipping $50 to $100 for a long drive.

What to Consider When You Tip Movers

When tipping movers, it’s important to consider how difficult your move is. Nobody will blame you if you give a small tip for a simple move without much furniture. That’s especially true if it only takes 2 hours from start to finish.

However, it’s worth tipping $10 or more per person per hour for difficult moves. For example, moving a 4-bedroom house can take 6 to 10 hours or more in some cases. That entails 6 to 10 hours of packing, disassembling furniture, moving boxes, and traveling.

It’s important to consider that moving crews must repeat this process when they get to your new home. That’s especially true with full packing and unpacking services. Other services, like white-glove service, are also physically demanding and worth considering when you tip.

How Much to Tip Movers for a Half-Day

It’s common to tip movers $25 to $40 per person for a half-day of work. That comes out to $10 per hour in most cases, which is a fair tip. Even a half-day still requires hours of hard work and moving heavy objects without many breaks.

Is it Rude Not to Tip Movers?

It’s not necessarily rude if you opt out of tipping your movers. This is a personal choice based on how much value you think the movers provide. There’s no denying that movers work hard, but it’s up to you to decide if tipping them is worth it.

For example, some people forego tipping movers if they feel the movers did a bad job. Making mistakes is one thing, but damaging walls, floors, and several pieces of furniture is another. In that case, nobody will likely blame you for not tipping your movers.

Some renters and homeowners also consider the attitude of the moving crew when they tip them. For example, rude or mean-spirited movers may put a damper on your day. Tensions can run high during difficult moves, so keep that in mind. However, there’s no excuse for your movers to be mean to you.

Hardworking Movers You Can Trust

At Optimum Moving, we take pride in our carefully assembled team of professional movers. Our trust in them is as strong as their performance, and that has kept us working for over a decade. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to set up a consultation and make your move go smoothly.

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed while planning a move. That’s why many renters and homeowners alike spend extra for a full-service move. So, how much do full-service movers cost?

Hiring full-service movers typically costs at least $2,000, but it varies based on home size. A full-service move for a 1-bedroom apartment costs $550 to $4,500 or more depending on if it is local or long-distance. However, a long-distance full-service move can cost up to $15,000 when moving across the country.

Services like full packing, unpacking, and furniture assembly are included in the cost of a full-service move. Follow along as we explore how much full-service movers cost and highlight key cost factors.

How Much Does a Full-Service Move Cost?

You can expect to spend at least $2,000 on a full-service move, or $1,000 to $15,000. The wide cost range may be confusing, but it’s based on many factors, such as:

Home Size

Home size is one of the biggest cost factors for full-service movers. Bigger homes naturally have more belongings, such as furniture, art, and bedroom sets. That’s why moving from a 4-bedroom house is more expensive than moving from a studio apartment.   

For example, the items in a 1-bedroom apartment may weigh 1,800 pounds while a 3-bedroom home often weighs 7,000 pounds. Keep in mind that there is no ironclad rule regarding shipping weight based on home size. Instead, moving companies employ their consultants to figure out how much the belongings in your home roughly weigh.

Sometimes, this comes from an estimate based on the type and volume of your belongings. In other cases, the crew may weigh the empty truck and weigh it again once it’s loaded. The chart below highlights the typical price ranges for full-service moves based on home size. Note that the low-end prices are local moves and high-end prices are long-distance

Home Size	Price Range
1	$550-$4,500
2-3	$670-$10,000
4-5	$1,400-$14,000
5+	$3,500-$15,000

Local

Local full-service moves are naturally cheaper than long-distance moves. Moving companies have different criteria for what they consider a local move. For example, some moving companies consider 50 miles the cutoff for a local move whereas others consider 100 the local move cutoff.

A 4-bedroom full-service move typically starts at $1,400 for a local move within 100 miles. Once you reach 250 miles, the cost jumps to $2,500 or more, on average. The higher cost comes from mileage, fuel costs, tolls, and labor.

A local full-service move can take as little as 3-5 hours depending on the size of your home. That’s especially true if you move between 15 and 50 miles away. However, your move may take at least 6 hours if you have a 3-4-bedroom home with a large shipping weight.

Long-Distance

You can expect to spend between $1,500 and $15,000 on a long-distance full-service move. For example, a 2-3-bedroom full-service move within 250-500 miles costs $3,5000. The price quickly increases once you exceed 500 miles, and you can spend up to $8,500 if the shipping weight is high.

Long-distance moves sometimes entail covering boarding costs for the moving crew. This is often necessary for big moves between 500 and 2,500 or more miles. Doing so can add hundreds of dollars to the price of your full-service move.

Keep in mind that long-distance moves don’t automatically cost a fortune. You can spend as little as $1,500 on a full-service move within 100 miles, which many companies consider long-distance.

What Do Full-Service Movers Do?

Full-service movers handle every part of a move. This gives homeowners plenty of time to organize their belongings and tie up loose ends. Full-service movers offer useful several services, such as:

Furniture Disassembly and Assembly

Taking furniture apart and putting it back together is one of the most annoying parts of moving. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about doing that if you hire full-service movers. Furniture disassembly and assembly are included in the cost of full-service movers.

Granted, you can take some of your furniture apart before the crew arrives if you want to save time. However, it’s worth letting them assemble your belongings upon arrival. This doesn’t add to the cost, and it gives you time to organize your belongings.

Full Packing

Full packing is one of the most desirable moving services that full-service movers offer. Many people don’t have time to pack their belongings before a big move. This is understandable while balancing work and life, and that’s why full-packing services are so popular.

The moving crew will arrive at your home and start packing your belongings. This typically occurs on the day of the move. In that case, the moving crew will arrive several hours earlier than they otherwise would.

However, full-packing services sometimes begin the day before a move. That may be necessary if you have a large home with 4 or more bedrooms and lots of belongings. The cost of the packing supplies the movers use is also included in a full-service move.

Unpacking

The unpacking service is just as useful as the packing service. Full-service movers will unpack your belongings and follow your directions. Many moving crews will unpack the boxes in the room in which you intend your belongings to go.

This can save you hours, and it’s one of the most convenient parts of a full-service move. Keep in mind that you can always request to unpack your belongings without their help if you’d prefer that.

Loading and Transportation

What would a full-service move be if the crew didn’t pack and transport your belongings? The moving crew will carefully arrange and load your boxes and furniture after packing them. Full-service movers are experienced and use ratchet straps and dollies to protect your belongings.

While transportation is included, distance ultimately affects the cost of a full-service move. However, that price is typically dictated during the consultation process for a fixed-rate move.

Once they arrive at your new home, they will carefully unload your belongings. The moving crew will also dispose of your used packing materials and boxes as needed.

Full-Service Movers You Can Trust

At Optimum Moving, we handle every aspect of moving as full-service movers. Full-service moving comes in handy for people with busy lives and work schedules as well as families. We handle full-service moves within New Jersey and New York and help people move across the country. Call Optimum Moving at (855) 315-6683 to schedule your full-service move.

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