Things To Consider When Comparing Long Distance Moving Companies

Posted on Mar 4th, 2010 | no responses

Moving across the state or across the country is made easier with the help of long distance moving companies. Many people decide that from the moment they know they are going to move, they are going to handle every aspect of their move on their own. The logic behind most people thinking this way is strictly to save money by doing it all themselves. The reality is, if you sit back and calculate what everything involved in a move costs, you might be surprised to find you may not be saving any money doing it on your own at all.

Local moves are quite different from long distance moves. You may be able to load up a rental truck yourself, maybe even with the help of some friends, and save some money that way. However, if you are moving farther away, consider using the help of long distance moving companies. They may just save you time and money. So take a few moments to weigh your options thoroughly.

For example, if you need to take time off work or from other things going on in your life to do things like pack, unpack, and load the moving truck, it will probably cost you money. If you plan to take your car with you across the country, imagine the wear and tear, mileage, gas, and tolls you will need to deal with handling the transport yourself. Figure in lodging too. That is of course, if you plan to get any sleep during your travels. If you add up all these expenses alone, you can get a clear picture of what it will cost moving yourself versus using long distance moving companies.

Not all long distance moving companies are the same however. You will need to get quotes from several of them to get an idea of where you stand. Most long distance movers handle almost every single aspect of a move and know how to handle long distance moves. Besides, this is their specialty. It is fair to say that no long distance moving companies are created equal, and some of the companies will not offer the same moving services as others.

For instance, if you are interested in having the moving company handle your packing, loading and unloading, unpacking, and furniture set-up, you will need to find long distance moving companies that offer full-service moves. Remember, these are not basic services and may cost you more in addition to your transport.

You also want to make sure any long distance moving companies you are considering handle auto transport if you want to take your car with you. Some movers simply do not offer this service. The last thing you want to check into is storage. If for some reason, you know you are not going to be in your new home on time or when the moving truck gets there, inquire about getting your valuables stored. Many of the larger long distance moving companies offer storage-in-transit services. They will store your furniture and belongings in their storage facility until you are ready to pick them up. If you know you will not be able to take possession of your belongings within a 90-day period, this is a good option to take.

If you know right away that you will need to store your belongings for longer than 90-days, make sure to inquire about long-term storage options with any potential long distance moving companies you are considering. Again, not all long distance moving companies are going to offer the same services, so it is important to make sure you do your homework and pick ones that do.