Consumer reports best moving companies

Consumer Reports – Best Moving Companies

Before hiring a moving company, be sure to read reviews from other consumers. Check for complaints against the company, especially if it has been in business for a long time. Some of the best moving companies have a track record of providing excellent service.

Hiring professional movers can transform what is often a stressful and daunting task into a seamless experience. Moving involves a myriad of tasks—from deciding what to take, to packing, loading, and transporting. These can quickly become overwhelming. Professional movers bring invaluable expertise and equipment, streamlining the entire process and saving you from weekend-long marathons of packing and lifting.

By entrusting your belongings to the professionals, you save time and effort, as they handle everything from loading trucks to driving. This efficiency ensures your move is completed quickly, helping you meet any timeline, whether you're moving across town or across the country. Movers are equipped to manage every detail, providing tailored solutions for individuals, families, and businesses alike.

If you're looking for a long-distance mover, International Van Lines (IVL) should be on your short list. The company offers full-service moving services in all 50 states, as well as 180 countries worldwide. It also offers vehicle transport and short and long-term storage. If you have a lot of expensive furniture or appliances, the company can also pack and move them safely and securely.

By choosing professional movers, you reduce the stress and disruptions typically associated with moving, allowing you to focus on settling into your new space.

best deals on movers for long distance

A consumer report's list of the best moving companies should include several factors. First, the company must be able to move all types of items. Also, it must have a reasonable price. It should also have excellent customer service. If the company is unreliable, you're likely to end up getting less than you paid for.

However, understanding the cost of hiring movers involves more than just these factors. While upfront costs might seem straightforward, they often disguise hidden expenses. Consider the time you’ll need to take off work, the purchase of packing supplies, and fuel costs, which all add up. Additionally, wear-and-tear on your vehicle can diminish those initial savings from a DIY move, making professional help more appealing.

The cost will vary significantly based on the size of the move. For instance, an individual moving into a 1-bedroom apartment will face different expenses than a large family relocating to a 5-bedroom home. Moreover, distance plays a crucial role; moving a few streets over won't be nearly as costly as relocating across the country.

Given these variables, prices can range anywhere from $800 to $5,000+, depending on your specific needs. To get an accurate estimate, reaching out to different carriers or a broker for a personalized quote is always recommended. This ensures you have a clear understanding of potential costs, tailored to your unique situation.

ConsumerVoice experts research moving companies to determine which ones are the best, and they rank them according to the number of years in business, online reviews, and licensing.

What’s the Price Tag for Hiring Movers?

When considering a move, one of the first things that will likely come to mind is cost. Although taking the DIY route might seem more economical at first glance, hiring professional movers can ultimately offer better value for your money when you account for various factors.

Cost Factors for Professional Movers

1. Distance: Local moves typically cost less than long-distance ones. Relocating across town is usually more budget-friendly compared to moving across the country.
2. Size of the Move: The amount of stuff you have plays a significant role. A studio apartment will generally incur lower costs than a 3 or 4-bedroom house.
3. Timing: Moving during peak seasons, such as summer, can increase costs. Weekends and month-ends might also come with premium pricing.
4. Additional Services: Services like packing, unpacking, and special item handling (like pianos or antiques) can add to the bill.

Price Estimates

• Local Moves: For a local move, prices usually start around $800 and can go up depending on the size of your home and services needed.
• Long-Distance Moves: Moving across state lines can range from $2,000 to well over $5,000, again influenced by the factors above.

Getting the Best Deal

To get an accurate estimate, it's crucial to obtain quotes from multiple moving companies. Each offers different packages and services, so comparing these can help you find the best fit for your budget and needs.

Making the Right Choice

Ultimately, opting for movers or handling it yourself boils down to personal circumstances. Review your budget, preferences, and timeframe. Thorough research and asking the right questions will help you pick a mover you'll be confident in.

How to Verify a Mover's Credentials and Insurance

When planning a move, it's crucial to ensure your chosen mover is both legitimate and reliable. Follow these steps to verify their credentials and insurance coverage:

1. Check the DOT Number
   Reputable moving companies should have a Department of Transportation (DOT) number listed on their website. This number is your key to verify their legitimacy. Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website to input this number. This will allow you to confirm the mover's registration and identify any safety violations on record.
2. Obtain and Review Insurance Documents
   An accredited moving company will readily provide their insurance documents. These documents are essential as they specify what is covered, the limits of reimbursement, and the procedure for filing claims. Reviewing these details ensures you’re adequately protected during your move.
3. Research Customer Reviews
   While these won't tell you about licenses or insurance, customer reviews provide valuable insights into a company’s reputation and service quality. Take the time to thoroughly read through feedback on platforms like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. This can reveal patterns of reliability—or issues—that may impact your decision.

By systematically following these steps, you can confidently choose a moving company that meets your standards for safety and reliability, ensuring a smoother transition to your new home.

Comparing DIY Moves to Hiring Professional Movers

When you're considering the logistics of relocating, cost often becomes the pivotal factor. At first glance, a DIY move seems like a budget-friendly option. However, the full picture is more nuanced.

The Cost of a DIY Move

1. Initial Savings: Opting to move on your own can seem cheaper initially. You're not paying a company for labor, service fees, or other overhead costs.
2. Hidden Costs:
   • Time Off Work: It may require taking vacation days or unpaid leave.
   • Supplies: Boxes, packing materials, and tape add up quickly.
   • Transportation: You'll need to budget for gas and potential equipment rental, like a moving truck.
   • Personal Vehicle Wear-and-Tear: Long distances can lead to maintenance costs down the road.

Professional Movers: A Comprehensive Option

While hiring movers can be more expensive up front, the service often justifies the expense. Here's how:

• Efficiency and Expertise: Professionals handle everything from packing to unloading, saving you time and stress.
• Insurance and Safety: Your belongings are typically covered under insurance, safeguarding against potential damage.
• Time-Saving: With a team working proficiently, your move can be completed much quicker.

Variables in Cost

The total cost hinges on various aspects:

• Size of Move: Moving a single-bedroom apartment differs drastically from a five-bedroom house.
• Distance: Local moves are generally less expensive than cross-country relocations.

Given these variables, moving expenses can range broadly, from $800 to over $5,000. To get an accurate estimate, it's crucial to solicit personalized quotes from multiple moving companies or brokers. This approach ensures you can make a well-informed decision that best suits your specific circumstances.

When to Book Professional Movers: A Guide to Stress-Free Relocation

Thinking about hiring professional movers for your upcoming move? Timing is crucial. Ideally, book your movers about 3 months in advance. Early booking not only ensures peace of mind but can also be a cost-effective choice. With more time, you have the luxury to compare prices, read reviews, and select the best fit for your needs.

Why Plan Ahead?

1. Cost Savings: Booking early can often mean lower rates. Last-minute moves tend to incur higher fees due to limited availability and potential surcharges for expedited services.
2. Availability: Movers are in high demand, especially during peak seasons. Securing your movers early guarantees you'll have access to preferred timeslots.
3. Flexibility: With ample lead time, you can explore various moving companies, request detailed quotes, and select the most reliable option without feeling rushed.

What if You're on a Tight Timeline?

Life isn't always predictable. If you find out about a move just a few weeks ahead, you're not without choices:

• Consider Brokers: A moving broker can be invaluable in these situations. They have extensive networks and can quickly locate available moving companies, potentially saving you time and stress.
• Be Flexible: If possible, be open to off-peak moving days which might offer better rates and availability.

Ultimately, the key is to plan as far ahead as possible, but rest assured that even with short notice, solutions are available. Balancing early planning with flexibility will help ensure a smooth, cost-effective moving experience.

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Moving Broker

When considering a move, understanding the role of a moving broker can help you make an informed decision. A moving broker acts as an intermediary between you and the actual moving company, coordinating logistics to match your needs with the best available carrier. This service comes with a mix of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of Hiring a Moving Broker

• Price Negotiation Power: Brokers have the ability to compare multiple carriers quickly and can negotiate better deals using their industry leverage. This often results in cost savings.
• Flexible Options: With the ability to customize your move, brokers offer more flexibility. They can accommodate tight schedules and tailor services like packing and storage to meet your specific requirements.
• Time Efficiency: Searching for and comparing moving companies can be a time-consuming task. Brokers streamline this process, doing the legwork for you and saving valuable time.

Cons of Hiring a Moving Broker

• Hands-off Approach: Since brokers are not directly involved in the moving process, they won’t be present on moving day. This can lead to delays in addressing any immediate concerns that arise.
• Potential for Inaccurate Quotes: While brokers can obtain multiple estimates, these quotes might not always reflect the final cost due to changes in requirements or unforeseen circumstances.
• Communication Challenges: A breakdown in communication between you, the broker, and the carrier can lead to frustration. It's crucial to choose a reputable broker with strong communication skills to minimize this risk.

In summary, while moving brokers offer significant benefits in terms of cost savings and flexibility, their involvement is limited to coordination, not execution. Careful selection of a broker can help mitigate potential downsides and ensure a smoother moving experience.

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Moving Carrier

When considering a moving carrier for your relocation, it's essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks to make an informed decision.

Pros

• Dedicated Fleet
  Moving carriers typically own and manage their own fleet of vehicles, which can lead to increased reliability and accountability.
• In-House Team
  By using their staff, these companies often provide more consistent service, as they are trained to meet company standards.
• Direct Communication
  Handling claims and complaints internally allows for quicker resolutions and more personalized customer service.
• Accurate Estimates
  Moving carriers often offer precise in-home estimates, reducing the likelihood of unexpected costs.
• Reliability
  With full control over operations, moving carriers might be more dependable, ensuring your move goes smoothly.

Cons

• Higher Costs
  Services provided by moving carriers can be pricier due to their ownership of fleets and employment of dedicated teams.
• Limited Flexibility
  With fewer options available, you may have less control over scheduling and service customization.

While hiring a moving carrier comes with a list of advantages, such as reliability and transparency, it's also vital to consider the potential downsides, including cost and flexibility limitations. By understanding these factors, you can better decide if a moving carrier is the right choice for your needs.

Key Differences Between a Moving Carrier and a Broker

When planning a move, understanding the roles of a moving carrier and a broker is crucial in ensuring a seamless experience. Here’s what sets them apart:

Moving Carriers

1. Direct Management: Carriers directly handle your belongings. They own the fleet and employ the staff who will physically transport your items.
2. Direct Communication: By choosing a carrier, you can communicate directly with the team responsible for your move, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
3. Full Accountability: With a carrier, there's a single point of responsibility. If anything goes wrong, you know exactly who to contact.
4. Service Flexibility: While they handle all logistics themselves, carriers may have a fixed set of services and might offer less flexibility in terms of date availability.
5. Cost Considerations: Hiring directly could mean missing out on competitive pricing unless you obtain multiple quotes.

Moving Brokers

1. Facilitation Role: Brokers act as intermediaries, coordinating with various carriers to find the best match for your moving needs.
2. Cost Efficiency: They can negotiate better rates due to their industry connections, often resulting in savings.
3. Wide Service Options: Brokers can offer a wider range of services and greater flexibility, essential for those with specific requirements like additional packing or storage.
4. Multiple Options: Brokers can provide several carrier options quickly, aiding in finding the right balance of service and price.
5. Potential Communication Gaps: As brokers are not physically present during the move, addressing immediate concerns might be more challenging, highlighting the importance of selecting a reputable broker.

In summary, the choice between a carrier and a broker hinges on your priorities: direct involvement and accountability with carriers, or the potential for cost savings and flexibility with brokers.

Choosing Between a Moving Carrier and a Broker

If you're planning a move, deciding between a moving carrier and a broker will significantly impact your experience. Let's explore which option might suit you best.

Understanding Carriers

A moving carrier operates with its own fleet and in-house team. This approach gives you a direct line to the movers responsible for your belongings. Opting for a carrier means you can directly communicate with the team handling your items from start to finish. Carriers offer reliability through direct accountability and typically give more accurate estimates by assessing your needs in person.

Advantages of Carriers:

• Direct communication with the movers.
• High accountability and reliability.
• Accurate in-home estimates.
• Handles any claims or issues directly.

Drawbacks:

• Potentially higher costs without price comparisons.
• Less flexibility in service customization and scheduling.

Considering Brokers

On the other hand, a broker acts as an intermediary, connecting you with a moving carrier. They do not perform the move themselves but handle the logistics of finding a carrier that fits your requirements. Brokers excel at comparing multiple options to secure competitive rates and terms. They provide excellent flexibility, which is ideal for those needing additional services like packing or storage or those working within tight timelines.

Benefits of Brokers:

• Access to multiple quotes for competitive pricing.
• Customizable and flexible service options.
• Time-saving when researching carriers.

Limitations:

• Less direct involvement in the moving process.
• Possible variations in quote accuracy.
• Not on-site during your move, which might complicate issue resolution.

Making Your Decision

When deciding, consider the importance of direct involvement and accountability versus flexibility and potential cost savings. If control and direct communication are paramount, carriers may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize flexibility, comprehensive service options, and competitive pricing, a broker might be more suitable. Assessing your personal needs and preferences will guide you toward the right choice for your move.

What is a Not-to-Exceed Moving Quote?

A not-to-exceed moving quote is a type of moving estimate that provides you with a safety net when budgeting for your move. It establishes a maximum price that you will not exceed, regardless of any unforeseen circumstances. Here's how it works:

• Maximum Price Guarantee: This quote sets a cap on what you'll pay, ensuring your moving costs won't skyrocket unexpectedly. If everything goes according to plan and your move weighs less than anticipated, you'll pay less, but never more than the capped amount.
• Flexible and Beneficial: Unlike binding estimates, which lock you into a fixed cost, this approach offers flexibility. If your moving circumstances change favorably, like your items weighing less, you benefit from reduced charges.
• Risk-Free Surprises: The unique advantage of a not-to-exceed quote is its built-in potential for positive financial surprises. If the weight or complexity of your move decreases, so does your final bill, without you having to negotiate or haggle.

Choosing this kind of estimate can be an excellent strategy for those seeking financial certainty combined with the possibility of savings.

Understanding the Different Types of Moving Quotes

When you're ready to move forward with hiring a moving company, you'll need to get a personalized quote. This quote takes into account the size and distance of your move, as well as any additional services you need. However, not all quotes are created equal. Understanding the different types can help you avoid unexpected costs.

Types of Moving Quotes

1. Non-Binding Estimate

   A non-binding estimate offers a general idea of what your move may cost based on preliminary information you provide. Since it's a rough estimate, it's often the least accurate and the final amount could be higher. This is because the actual cost is determined on moving day, once your belongings are weighed. While it might start out as the cheapest option, be prepared for potential increases.

2. Binding Estimate

   For those looking to lock in their budget, a binding estimate provides a fixed price. This quote guarantees that you'll pay exactly what is agreed upon, no matter what, removing the possibility of surprise costs. Before issuing a binding estimate, companies typically conduct a thorough in-home evaluation to assess the volume and weight of the items to be moved.

3. Not-to-Exceed Estimate

   This type of quote, sometimes known as a “guaranteed not-to-exceed” estimate, offers a mix of flexibility and security. It sets a maximum price you won't surpass, even if circumstances change. If your move actually requires less effort or fewer resources, you could end up paying less than the original estimate, as savings are passed on to you.

Each of these estimate types serves different needs, so consider your priorities and budget constraints. Accurately comparing quotes from moving companies can save you money and ensure a smoother moving experience.

What is a Binding Moving Quote?

A binding moving quote provides a solid estimate for your moving costs, ensuring you won't encounter unexpected charges once the move is complete. This option is ideal if you want financial certainty on moving day.

Key Features of a Binding Quote:

• Fixed Price: The cost is locked in after the initial estimate, so you’ll pay exactly what was quoted, as long as the scope of the move doesn’t change.
• In-Home Evaluation: To generate an accurate quote, moving companies typically conduct a thorough in-home evaluation. This helps them assess the size and weight of your belongings.
• Peace of Mind: A binding quote provides assurance by preventing unforeseen financial surprises, making your moving experience smoother.

With this type of quote, you can trust that the amount agreed upon is the maximum you'll pay unless additional services are added.

What is a Non-Binding Moving Quote?

A non-binding moving quote provides an estimate of your moving costs based on the information you supply. It's important to note that this type of quote is more of an educated guess than a guaranteed price. Unlike binding estimates, a non-binding quote can fluctuate. Here's how it works:

• Initial Estimate: The moving company gives a rough cost estimate after assessing details like the size of your move and distance. This is not set in stone.
• Potential Variability: On moving day, the final price is calculated when your items are weighed and measured. This could lead to costs that exceed the initial estimate, which is common with non-binding quotes.
• Prepare for Extra Costs: Be ready for the possibility of paying more than the original quote. While the initial number might be appealingly low, final charges are based on the actual weight and services used.

Thus, choosing a non-binding quote can give you an idea of potential costs but requires flexibility with your budget. It’s a good option if you're comfortable with fluctuations and want an upfront glance at your potential expenses.