Moving can be expensive, no question about it. Most people think that it is considerably cheaper to move themselves than to use a professional moving company. This isn't always true. Please consider the following examples before you make your next move.
If you choose to move yourself - There are many costs associated with moving yourself that alot of us don't think about. First and most obvious, you need a truck. Unless you happen to have a good size truck you're going to need to rent one. While some of the options for truck rental out there seem very affordable there are many hidden costs most people don't think about. Most rental companies will charge a fee anywhere from .15 to .50 cents per mile that you use the truck on top of the daily rental fee. Those miles, with multiple trips to your new home add up quickly. Additionally, rental trucks are not equipped with any moving equipment like appliance dollies, box dollies, furniture pads or even straps to tie down your load. All of that costs extra dollars. You think you don't need pads or dollies? Think how long it will take you to carry every box, every appliance, every single item in your home into that truck (and then unload it the same way). Think your buddies are having fun earning that case of beer and a pizza? Consider how your possessions will look after they travel across town in that truck, bouncing around in the back of the truck with no protection or being tied down to restrict movement. Scratch city! What's it going to cost you to replace the items that broke? What's it going to cost you if you have a wreck driving a truck you've never driven before? How long does this move take? One, two, three days? It all adds up.
You choose a discount mover - The internet is full of ads for discount movers these days. Especially places like Craigslist. The sad part is alot of these are not professional movers. While their rates may be very cheap, they are cheap for a reason. Some will advertise very low hourly rates, but what they don't tell you is that they will charge you for every step they have to up and down, charge a fee for Large TV's, appliances, Pianos, etc. They fill their pockets with these "extra's" that they spring on you at the last minute. Others are no professional movers at all. They are two buddies with a truck that are trying to portray themselves as pro's. They are not registered with the USDOT (required by law) or with their state (required by most states), they are not insured either for damage to your goods or for workers compensation. So, if they break your stuff, so sorry but we are not insured or if they hurt themselves at your home guess whose insurance gets hit - YOURS!
Okay, thats the bad part. So you are going to hire a real professional mover - how do you keep the cost down? There are many things you can do. For the purposes of this example we'll talk about a local move (within 35 miles of your current home). Here are some tips:
1. Break everything down in advance - take apart anything you can that will save time for the movers. Examples would be beds, dining room tables, entertainment centers, etc.
2. Move as much in your car as possible - clothes, personal effects, anything small.
3. Have everything disconnected - We're movers, not computer guys or the Geek Squad.
4. Be Ready for the Movers - don't procrastinate. There are alot of people that aren't ready to move when the movers show up. Don't be one of them.
All of the above are time and money. Be ready, do as much as you can yourself. Leave the rest to us. Professional movers are fast and well equipped. Chances are we can move in one day what would take you three.
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