You should consider hiring professional movers for moves that seem too daunting, dangerous, or involve large, heavy objects. The larger your home and the longer the distance, the more likely you are to need professional help. A moving service can take the hardest tasks off your plate and reduce the risk of personal injury. However, if you are only moving a few light items, you can save money by moving on your own and renting a truck. Keep in mind that a DIY move requires significant planning and time. A hybrid option is also available, where you hire movers just to lift and transport heavy items to your vehicle.
There are several effective ways to save money when hiring a moving company, primarily by handling some tasks yourself and being strategic with scheduling. Consider these methods:
Pack Your Own Belongings: You can significantly reduce costs by packing and protecting your items yourself. This includes wrapping delicate items, organizing them into boxes, and taping the boxes closed. You can use towels, clothes, and suitcases to pack belongings and protect breakables.
Provide Your Own Materials: Source free packing materials from friends and family, or reuse boxes and bubble wrap from a previous move.
Schedule Strategically: Book your move well in advance. Rates are often lower if you schedule your move on a weekday during the off-season, which typically runs from October through April.
Compare Quotes: Get moving quotes from at least three professional movers in your area. This allows you to compare services and choose the best value.
Ask for Discounts: Inquire if the moving company offers any special coupons or deals.
Purchase Moving Insurance: Protect your investment by purchasing moving insurance, especially for expensive or antique belongings.
Divide the Labor: While you can save money by packing, it's wise to leave the more dangerous and physically demanding work—like loading, unloading, and moving heavy furniture—to the professionals.
Gym equipment can be heavy, so it’s best to transport it using a furniture dolly. When dealing with treadmills, weight machines, or other bulky items, hiring professional movers or roping in some friends and renting a moving van makes sense.
Professional movers use dedicated packing materials like specialty boxes for artwork, TVs, clothes and other things that need to be moved with care. If professional movers are packing for you, they use foam, bubble wrap, and other cushioning for the journey. You can ask questions about how movers will handle specific items when you are getting a price estimate.
When loading a moving truck, the general rule is to load the heaviest and largest items first to create a stable base at the front of the truck, which helps balance the weight. You can start with large furniture like sofas, beds, mattresses, and tables to form a solid foundation, or begin by placing your heaviest boxes against the truck's walls to create a base layer. After the base is set, continue loading other large items like appliances and square furniture. Lighter and smaller objects, including most of your boxes, should be loaded last. They can be packed into gaps, around, and on top of the heavier items to maximize space. Following this order makes unloading easier and helps prevent damage to your belongings.
The Crownpoint, NM homeowners’ guide to professional moving service pianos
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Planning a relocation? Learn everything you need to know about piano moving, including average costs, preparation steps, and how to hire the right local pro.
Professional piano movers help ensure the safe, smooth transportation of your instrument. Before you hire, it’s important to check qualifications, review references, and get a contract in writing. Find out the steps for hiring a piano mover here.
