Congratulations, you’re on to your next adventure! Maybe you already know where your next home or town will be – but have you considered how you’ll get there or even how much will this cost? It might seem easier or more cost-effective to simply go with a Do-It-Yourself mover. But yet, how much do all those hidden costs add up to in the end? Does Do-It-Yourself really equate to doing it better? Hilldrup knows you have lots of questions and factors to consider when preparing mentally and financially for your next move. Thankfully, our experts are here to break down the details and costs to help guide you each step of the way!
How Much Do Movers Cost?
There’s a number of factors that go into calculating residential moving costs. While there’s plenty of “moving calculators” online, the only true way to obtain an accurate move quote is through a professional move survey. Completed through your Apple or Android device, a virtual video survey allows Hilldrup to get a live view of the goods you’re moving on a date and time that works for you. These surveys are completely free of cost and obligation so you have nothing to lose! Hilldrup’s Moving Consultants will take into account the number of rooms, location, how much you’ll be moving, and any unique, specialty items that will be moving with you to provide you a professional local move estimate.
Virtual surveys are even more accurate than an in-person survey (and take less than half the time!) because we’re able to record and re-watch the recording to ensure we don’t miss a thing! In 2019, Hilldrup completed over 6,000 virtual video surveys – proving their popularity among customers. We understand that time is money, so we we’re here to create a move experience that works for your busy schedule and one that’s efficient and seamless.
Here are the factors and costs that determine how much a move will cost:
- Size, Weight and Distance – These three basics will help a residential moving company to determine how much truck space is needed, how much labor is required and the mileage to get you from point A to point B. All of these factors affect your bottom line so trusting a vetted residential moving company is critical.
- Packing & Crating – For fragile or specialty items like glass or marble tabletops or mirrors, it’s important to keep in mind that these items will require more attention, time and preparation before they’re ready to load. Hilldrup will be able to determine what items will need special packing and crating before service teams arrive to ensure that any potential for damage or claims can be avoided. Making sure that items are prepared for a move will save time, money and headaches later on since our trained professionals know how to best wrap and pack specialty items and when to contact a third-party provider for assistance with items like pianos, hot tubs, etc.
- Insuring Your Move – One of the most misunderstood components of moving is insurance. And while you may be thinking, “What kind of insurance do I need for a moving company?” it’s important to have a good understanding of the difference between moving insurance and valuation coverage. The simplest way to distinguish the two is that moving insurance is provided by an insurance company – not your mover. Instead, moving companies provide valuation coverage, which is offered at various levels based on your needs. If you need help determining what’s best for you and your upcoming move, we’d love to answer any questions you may have!
- Are Shuttle Trucks Needed? – Depending on what you’re moving to or from, whether it’s out of a single family home with a long, narrow driveway or to a modern condo on the bustling streets of a major city street, sometimes a move takes more than a single moving truck to transport your items. So what’s the plan when a 500-pound item needs to be moved down a mile-long, curvy driveway? The best solution is simple: shuttle trucks.
Since shuttle trucks are smaller and can better navigate windy, country roads and tight city streets, often times a shuttle truck will need to be considered with your move budget. From the labor to the additional time, it’s important to speak with the residential moving company about if a shuttle will be necessary and if so, how this will impact your bottom line.
Hidden Costs of DIY Moving
When you consider all the details of a move (including miles, gas, labor and moving materials like dollies, blankets, boxes, etc.) it’s no wonder that DIY moves simply end up costing you more. That is, both time and money! Simply renting your own truck for the weekend seems to only entail a “flat fee” but that fee soon inflates once you factor in the need for insurance, gas and charges by the mile based on how far you’re moving. With materials, Hilldrup brings the right number of each material on move day because our expert team has surveyed your home in preparation. With DIY moving, everything is an approximation – meaning you’ll likely pay for more than what you need, or end up running short on materials during the last hours of your move. Avoid the headaches and the hassle! By choosing a professional mover like Hilldrup, you can sit back and leave the moving plan, prep and heavy lifting to us.
Keep in mind, DIY movers will not provide:
- Disassembly or reassembly of your items
- In-home assistance to pack or unpack items
- Dispatch support, should you need a hand on the road or in your new residence
- Debris removal services
- Labor
If you’re planning a residential move, contact the professionals at Hilldrup. We can help as much or as little as you’d like so that you receive the move experience you expect and desire from us. We’re available to answer any questions to maintain your budget, timeline and peace of mind every step of the way. Let’s get started!
