June 11, 2022 Posted in Moving Essentials
Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

Is Hiring Movers Necessary When Moving Cross Country?

If you plan to move to another state in the near future, you probably have a million questions regarding the process of cross-country relocating. It’s a complex process with countless factors you need to consider. One of the most important ones is hiring movers – is this something you absolutely need or can do without? Let’s find out.

Two long-distance movers in the living room, one holding a package and another holding a rolled carpet overlay
Should you hire professionals to help you with a long-distance move?

Although hiring cross-country movers isn’t something you most absolutely need to make your move successful, the fact is that most Americans choose to book professional assistance when relocating. Hiring one of many relocation companies might seem like an unnecessary cost, but it actually saves you a lot of money you would waste on a DIY move. Relocation workers will make your move easier and less stressful, and you definitely won’t be sorry you booked their services.

Is Hiring Movers Essential for a Long-Distance Move?

Booking professional relocation assistance sounds like something that should be on every relocation to-do list, but is it really a task you can’t move without? Most articles about moving will mention hiring professional movers, but you will rarely find an answer to the question – are relocation workers necessary to pull off a successful long-distance move? This is what we talk about in the text below – if you’re not sure whether you need a mover’s help or not, keep reading.

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Technically Speaking, You Can Do Without a Professional Mover – But Is This a Good Idea When Moving Cross Country?

This is a very complex and often debated issue – there isn’t just one right answer that can work for everybody. When it comes to comparing the pros and cons of hiring relocation companies, the lines can get blurry. Still, we will do our best to explain, so you can figure out what would be the best choice for your move. If we approach this quite literally, you can move without any relocation assistance. No rule says it’s forbidden to relocate to another state alone, but this isn’t as simple as it seems.

We’re not looking for just any move – we want to make sure you can move efficiently to another state. If you have moved to a new home at least once in your life, you know what it’s like to pick up everything you own and change a residence. It’s not a walk in the park, for sure – stress-free relocations are next to impossible. Now, if you want to tackle this challenge without pros by your side, do you think it will be simple? In most cases – it probably won’t.

Hiring a Mover Can Do a Lot for Your Overall Cross-Country Moving Experience

When we take a look at the issue from another angle, the question of necessity changes to this one – do you want to deal with relocation stress without cross-country movers, or do you want to make the experience easier on your nerves? Of course, we all have different sets of abilities, and a lot of us can probably organize a move perfectly on our own.

Rest assured that it won’t be without difficulties and countless hours of hard work, as the preparations will be so much more than simply packing for a move. Obviously, this is an individual decision – you will have to decide what works best for you and how much energy you’re willing to put into relocating to a new city.

If You Think the Cost of Long-Distance Moving Services Is Not Worth It, Think Again

So, while debating the importance of relocation companies, we must take a lot of factors into account, but you will probably be most interested to hear which option would cost you less. Is it cheaper to hire a moving company or move on your own (to pull off a so-called DIY move)? If you’re worried about your budget for a move, let us tell you – neither option will be perfect. But with relocation service, you can at least be sure you won’t experience tons of anxiety about the move.

Is it expensive to book services from relocation companies? Yes, relocation service does cost quite a bit, but so does a DIY move. It doesn’t seem like it, but the tiny costs pile up without you noticing until you end up with a lengthy expenses checklist. Mixing it up is the best solution for smaller budgets – get some assistance, but do not splurge on packers for all your fragile items. Experience has shown us that this method is often the most useful one. If you think you still need to save money for a move, you could probably use some great tips – check out the video below for some of the most efficient ones.

Booking Cross-Country Moving Services From a Reliable Company Makes the Moves Easier in Many Ways

In addition to lowering your stress levels and anxiety in the weeks prior to the relocation day, booking professionals has a few other benefits to it – trust us, you could use these. One thing that you might have overlooked is the time-saving aspect. If you have a relocation crew to assist you with packing your items into boxes or wrapping furniture, imagine how many hours you can save. Also, the chances you will forget to pack some items are smaller because you wouldn’t be burdened with all the work. You will save some energy, which will come in handy when you start unpacking after the move.

A worried girl holding her head and leaning on the pile of boxes after moving cross-country overlay
Are you sure you couldn't use some assistance with the move? Think about it

How Do You Find a Trustworthy Cross-Country Moving Company That Will Help You Move for a Reasonable Cost?

Let’s say you have decided to move with the assistance of a relocation business – how to hire a moving company that won’t rip you off or do a horrible job taking care of your belongings? It will be a tricky quest, but we can make it easier with some relocation tips.

Tips for Hiring Movers That Everyone Should Know – Long-Distance Moving Company Is More Than Just Workers and a Truck

So, how do you hire reliable movers? The key to finding the best long-distance movers out there is paying attention to the details. You don’t just want to make sure they have a truck and a few people to move your furniture – no, relocations are more than that. Look for a business with a reputation, excellent communication with potential clients, and great online reviews. Their experience is very important – seasoned workers will know all the relocation hacks and will be prepared for all sorts of problems that can come up during the move.

There Are a Lot of Scammers Out There – Be Careful If You Don’t Want Your Relocation Cost to Go Through the Roof

Sadly, relocation scams are an everyday thing in the US. If you don’t want to fall into post-relocation depression because of criminals who stole your boxes and left with their truck, never to be seen again, keep your eyes wide open. Do a double check on all the companies you’re considering for your move, as you can never be too safe. Here are some ways you can check if the relocation business is legitimate. If you answer some of the following questions with a NO, we suggest you run in the opposite direction.

  • Does their website look well taken care of and professional?
  • Can you find their USDOT number on the website?
  • Can you find them in the FMCSA database?
  • Can you find reviews about them somewhere else except on their website?
  • Did they schedule a home inspection before giving a quote?
  • Did they offer you a contract?
  • Is their customer service polite and helpful?
  • Did they answer all your questions and explain what bothered you?
  • Does their quote seem reasonable – not too low but not too high?

One of the Most Common Questions Regarding the Move – What Are the Types of Relocation Services?

When we say relocation service, what does that exactly mean? What can a relocation crew do for you if you hire them? Nowadays, this industry can offer you a wide range of possibilities – it’s so much more than good old loading and unloading the truck with tons of boxes. Thanks to the newest technologies, relocating has never been easier.

What Does a Reputable Company Offer to Its Clients?

There are a few options you can choose from when you hire professionals. The best businesses will have all these in their offer – all you have to do is pick what you want. Here’s what you can expect when you hire a reputable relocation business for a move to a new home.

Relocation assistance

If you want someone to carry your boxes onto the truck and take care of your items until they finally arrive at the new home, a relocation service is the right fit for you. You can rest assured that the pros know how to ship even the most fragile belongings without damaging them.

Packing assistance

Do movers pack for you? They can – if you book packing assistance. You can ask your packers to pack everything if you don’t want to bother, or you can hire them to pack just a fraction of the belongings you will relocate to the new home or a storage facility.

Storage facilities

Every big relocation business has storage facilities all over the country. This can come in handy for those who can’t decide what to get rid of when they move to another state – you can keep your things in a storage unit for as long as you want. Every modern storage will have optimal conditions for storing stuff for extended periods of time.

Car shipping

Auto transport is almost always a part of a cross-country move since it’s exhausting to drive your vehicle across the entire country to get it to a new city. Most people opt for this type of assistance, and if they are lucky to hire an excellent business, they will have the option of door-to-door delivery.

Relocation insurance

You can never be too safe with your belongings, right? Even if you have the most experienced team by your side, it’s better to be extra careful and pay for a relocation insurance policy that will protect your stuff (and a vehicle, if you’re shipping it).

When Should I Hire Movers?

Are you wondering what part of the year would be the optimal time for relocating? There is not just one right answer, as this will depend on your reasons for relocating, but most people decide to change their surroundings and head to another state in the summer. You can be sure there will be crowds during this peak of the relocation season, so it’s wise to hire your relocation crew at least a few months in advance. And what day is the cheapest to hire movers? You will want to pick a workday. Trust us – weekends can get crazy busy, especially the holiday weekends (avoid those at all costs).

 

How Much Do You Tip Movers in 2022?

Tipping a relocation crew is not mandatory, but it’s considered polite. If you want to avoid looking cheap, it’s good to get familiar with the basics of tipping in the relocation industry. The key thing you should know is that you will most likely have two teams – one that will handle things at the old place and the other that will unload your belongings in the new city. Of course, it’s polite to tip both.

When it comes to the number, keep in mind that tipping is never based on the percentage of the price of your move. People usually tip based on the number of hours the workers spent on the move – it can be anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, sometimes even more. The most common amount to give is $5 per hour per worker. It is considered polite to offer money to each individual worker instead of just giving the entire sum to the foreman.

A mover carrying a box in front of a van overlay
Don't forget to tip the crew that helped you reach your dream residence in no time

Booking Long-Distance Movers Will Help You Relax and Prepare for the Move Stress-Free – Don’t Hesitate to Hire Professionals

Knowing all you know now about relocation assistance, are you ready to book a team of professionals who will make your move simple and effortless? We hope you are – you would do yourself a great favor and make the entire experience way less stressful. What are you waiting for? Contact a reputable business to get your quote as soon as possible – you won’t regret it.

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