How to Find Movers Within Your Budget

There’s no simple move. It doesn’t matter if your new residence is a few miles away or international, moving can be a hectic and costly affair. You could be tempted to move by yourself to save on cost, but a good mover does the heavy lifting and eases you a lot of stress. Since there are so many things scrambling for your hard-earned money, finding a reliable mover within your budget is helpful.

How do you find movers within your budget?

1. Plan Early

Planning your move in advance will give you enough time to look at your options keenly. Most people end up blowing their budgets on last-minute decisions because they have no time to look at options. When you have enough time, it’s easy to call different providers for quotes and check various packing materials to compare prices. You also have time to dispose of items you don’t need and save on packing space.

2. Pack the items yourself

Movers can offer you a variety of services, including packing your items for you. But you can help move within your budget if you have everything ready when the movers come. Long distance moving company quotes can be fixed, but most local moving companies charge an hourly rate. The more time it takes to pack the higher the total fee will be. But if you pack in advance, it will take them less time to load and unpack items at your destination thus making their services more affordable.

Packing the items yourself can also help you to figure out what to dispose of to enable you to save time and cost on packing materials. Having unnecessary items means that you will pay more for packing space and weight. That’s why getting rid of what you don’t need and having everything ready will help you move within your budget.

3. Use referrals to find a mover

Shopping for a reliable mover can be a daunting task. Perhaps this is your first time moving, where do you begin? Check with your circle to see if anyone has moved houses recently. Your colleagues and family can share the names of reliable moving companies. They also share their first-hand experience with the mover. Reviews from trustworthy people can go a long way in saving you the inconvenience and cost of working with unreliable movers. You may also find names of suitable movers by checking online. 

4. Check a mover’s reviews

It doesn’t matter how cheap the upfront fee of a mover is. If you land on the wrong mover, they can mess you up big time. To get a better idea of how a mover is, talk to people who have worked with the company before and ask for their honest opinion. It’s also possible to find reviews of moving businesses from recognized online resources such as Yelp, Google Business Profile, reliable social media pages, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

5. Get several price quotes and compare

Don’t settle on the first mover you get. If you have a set budget for moving, finding a mover who fits that budget might require you to get several quotes. Get at least three written quotes and check their terms. You could also negotiate with a mover to get discounted rates. Besides the cost, there are other things that you want to know about a mover before you can make your final decision. That’s why you need to ask as many questions about their services as you can.

6. Ask questions

Let’s say you have done your due diligence, asked for quotes, and short-listed preferred candidates. You still need to get into the finer details by asking specific questions about their business and how they work. You want to know whether they have references, reliable communication channels, moving insurance, and value protection. You should also find out if they charge extra fees and on what, or if they work with third-party partners. Have in mind that even the seemingly negligible details can impact your budget.

7. Consider a mover with valid licenses

It’s important to get a mover with proper identification documents. It doesn’t matter where you are, most countries, states, and provinces require all businesses to register and acquire certain business permits. You can easily tell a genuine mover by checking their licenses. Make sure they match the permits required in their area of operation. For instance, if you are hiring a long-distance mover in the United States, check whether they have licenses from relevant federal agencies, not just state licenses.

8. Move off-season or on a weekday

There are certain seasons in the year or times in a month when most people move. For instance, there are many people moving near month-end, especially on weekends. Generally, many movers hike their rates during high seasons to match the demand and this can blow up your budget. You can therefore find a mover within your budget if you plan your move away from these seasons. Consider moving mid-month and during weekdays.

It’s possible to enjoy stress-free moving when you have the right partner. And it’s understandable, a reputable mover comes at a cost. But with proper preparation and thorough vetting, you can easily find a reliable mover within your budget. Use the tips above and get a moving services provider that meets your budget.