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<\/a>Surprising, right? Who are these ambitious DIY movers with enough brawn to transport their life across the country?<\/p>\n
Well, with the average interstate move costing $4,300<\/a>, the \u201cunassisted moving consumer\u201d camp starts to look better and better. That\u2019s not to mention the horror stories of movers who take forever (and conveniently charge by the hour), show up late, or fail to communicate with you while your delicate valuables make the dangerous trip from San Francisco to Boston.<\/p>\n But when home prep, stagings, showings, and negotiations already zapped all your energy on the way to selling your home<\/a>, a big move feels like an impossible task to face alone. In that case, we\u2019ll help you weigh your options between all the long distance moving companies<\/a> out there clamoring for your business with insider tips from moving industry experts.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlike moving across town, long distance moving is a bit more complicated and requires additional planning,” says Jennifer Flanagan of top-ranked moving company Gentle Giant<\/a>. “I recommend booking your move at least six weeks in advance to secure your reservation. This gives you time to focus on packing, learn more about your new city and figure out which dates you\u2019ll need to travel to your new location.”<\/p>\n What\u2019s the secret to a successful long distance move? Big, burly men in overalls? We kid, but the truth is that long distance moves require far more coordination than the initial loading and final drop-off.<\/p>\n For long distance moves, most people hire large, national brands that have an entire system of van lines across the United States that work by assigning local moving companies in their network to handle your move. It\u2019s a good system, but a lot of \u201cmoving\u201d parts, as you might say…which is why many moving companies hook you up with a move coordinator to manage the process.<\/p>\n What is a moving coordinator, you ask? Well, they’re kind of like your moving guardian angel. You can count on them to:<\/p>\n “I recommend confirming transit and delivery time with your move coordinator, since you don\u2019t want to get to your new house before your bed!” says Flanagan. “The move coordinator will be your go-to in terms of keeping you updated about the move\u2019s progress and they can ease any anxiety you have about the process, so make sure they have up-to-date contact information.\u201d<\/p>\n It’s common knowledge that you hire movers to get things from point A to point B safely and quickly. While your move begins and ends with a moving truck, many long distance moving companies also offer an array of relocation services to those in need of them. Movers then charge you for the services provided after they complete your move.<\/p>\n Some common relocation services to help ensure a smooth move include:<\/p>\n Pro tip: <\/b>If you can coordinate your move during the winter months, then you should. Business tends to be less brisk that time of the year, which means lower costs for you. In fact, moving during the summer months can cost you up to 25% more<\/a> than moving during the off season. That means you can get more of these extra relocation services for less!<\/p>\n How long distance moving companies calculate their costs and how much they charge their customers varies, but most major operations will send a relocation specialist or moving coordinator to your home for an estimate.<\/p>\n This specialist will visually survey your house and assess the approximate weight of the items you want to move, point out challenges they may face with packing, and identify any possible problems once moving day arrives, such as narrow hallways or stairs.<\/p>\n Andy Kroll<\/a>, vice president and general manager of North American Van Lines with nearly 30 years of experience long distance moving industry, says that an in-person house visit is the only way to get an accurate quote.<\/p>\n The moving company will give you a price estimate based on three important factors:<\/p>\n Long distance moving companies should offer free estimates, so take advantage of the chance to shop around and collect more than one quote for comparison. The quotes should include estimates for both general moving costs, included services, and extras that you plan to tack on.<\/p>\n The American Moving and Storage Association suggests you get at least three in-home written estimates<\/a> before settling on one company. This will give you a good idea what the cost for your move is and throw up red flags if one of the estimates is much lower or higher than the others.<\/p>\n If a company gives you an offer over the phone or via email without sending someone out to your home, be on high alert as they may be trying to scam you.<\/a><\/p>\n There are three types of estimates you can get from a long distance moving company:<\/p>\n The \u201cguarantee-not-to-exceed\u201d estimate is the most desirable agreement you can enter, so if you find a company that offers this type of estimate, jump on it!<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Christie Cannon<\/a>, a top-selling real estate agent who has successfully sold 67% more properties than the average agent in her area, you get what you pay for when it comes to the movers you hire.<\/p>\n “There are a lot of moving companies out there, so make sure to find a highly reputable company that’s been around for a long time,” says Cannon. “Your real estate agent may have someone they recommend, so start there!”<\/p>\n Check that any mover candidates you\u2019re considering have a number issued to them by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Commercial vehicles hauling cargo or passengers from one state to another must have a license to do so.<\/p>\n You can ask any moving companies providing estimates for their DOT number, or look for it on their business cards or website, where they’re legally required to post it. It’s also important that they have a carrier number from the Federal Motor Safety Administration.<\/a> Check the company’s motor carrier and DOT numbers<\/a> for yourself to make sure they’re legitimate.<\/p>\n If you’re moving long distance but still in-state, check with your state<\/a> to find out if they require DOT numbers.<\/p>\n The internet has opened up a wonderful world of funny cat videos, and also added much-needed transparency around the quality and ratings around service professionals… moving companies included!<\/p>\n Be sure to read up on web reviews available about any moving companies under consideration, whether it be on Yelp, Google, or Nextdoor. Check with the Better Business Bureau in your area (or the area you’re moving to) to see if any reports against them are on file.<\/p>\n In 2017, the BBB received 1.4 million requests<\/a> for moving company profiles, and registered 6,314 complaints against movers.<\/p>\n Be wary of any moving company that wants to charge you more than 20% of the total cost of the estimate upfront. Many long distance moving companies won’t need any payment at all until they complete the move, so any company that wants a large chunk at the start should set off alarm bells.<\/p>\n If you do make a deposit, it’s the best practice to put it on a credit card so you can contest the charges if there’s any monkey business.<\/p>\n Trusting a company with your long distance move is a big deal and it\u2019s hard to narrow down who to call among all the options out there. So we vetted the most reputable ones we could find on the web based on their years of experience, online reviews, awards or recognitions, and special services.<\/p>\n United Van Lines<\/b><\/a> Allied Van Lines<\/b><\/a> Bekins Van Lines<\/b><\/a> Atlas Van Lines<\/b><\/a> International Van Lines<\/b><\/a> The key to any move no matter the distance is good organization. Plan ahead and vet long-distance moving companies well to cut your stress and get your new life in a new place started off on the right foot!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Weigh your options between all the long distance moving companies out there that want your business with insider tips from moving industry experts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":8782,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[322,247],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-logistics","category-moving"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>Tip #1: Make sure you\u2019ll have a dedicated move coordinator<\/h2>\n
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Tip #2: Add a few relocation services to help make your move smooth<\/h2>\n
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\nThere are often some restrictions to the number of vehicles, etc. Expect an additional $600 to $1,000 for this service.<\/li>\n
\nA van line is sent to pack up all your household goods and transport them to your new home. Expect an additional cost of $25 to $50 per mover, per hour for this service.<\/li>\n
\nWhen the van line arrives at your new home for delivery they will unload all boxes and furniture where you wish. Expect an additional cost of $25 to $50 per mover, per hour for this service.<\/li>\n
\nInterstate moving companies are required to provide basic insurance coverage of 60 cents per pound per item<\/a>. If you want more comprehensive moving insurance, expect to pay about 1% of the total valuation of your items.<\/span><\/li>\n
\nMany moving companies offer free storage for up to 30 days, but going beyond that time frame will cost you. Expect to pay $50 to $60 per month for storage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/a>Tip #3. Get an in-person cost estimate<\/h2>\n
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Tip #4: Collect more than one estimate at no cost to you<\/h2>\n
Tip #5: Check or negotiate for the \u2018guarantee-not-to-exceed\u2019 estimate<\/h2>\n
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\nThese estimates are not guaranteed. Your final cost is based on the actual weight of your final shipment and the services provided to you during your move. Though the moving company cannot require you to pay more than the original estimate plus 10% at delivery, you will be on the hook to pay any additional charges within 30 days of delivery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nAlso called \u201cguaranteed price\u201d or \u201cfirm binding,\u201d this estimate reflects the exact cost of all your moving services but only includes the services and goods listed on the estimate. If you add any additional services, this may void the original binding price and a new contract may require your signature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
\nAlso referred to as \u201coption binding,\u201d \u201cassured price protection,\u201d \u201cbinding not to exceed,\u201d and \u201caccuquote,\u201d these estimates are similar to binding estimates with one exception: If the services and actual weight of your shipment are less than the estimate, you pay the lower price. But just as with binding estimates, the guarantee of the price only covers the services agreed on beforehand and items listed on your inventory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTip #6: Ask your real estate agent for a long distance moving company referral<\/h2>\n
Tip #7: Verify your long distance moving companies\u2019 credentials with the DOT<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Tip #8: Read online customer reviews<\/h2>\n
Tip #9: Use caution with large deposits<\/h2>\n
<\/a>\u2018A Few Good Movers:’ The top 5 best long distance moving companies we could find<\/h2>\n
\nYears in the business: <\/b>90
\nCore services: <\/b>Local moves, Long distance moves, Corporate moves, International moves, Small moves, Full-service moving
\nAwards or Recognitions: <\/b>2018 Logistics Management Magazine<\/i> Quest for Quality Award<\/a> in the Household Goods and High-Value Goods carrier category
\nUnique offerings: <\/b>
\nUnited Van Lines offers full-value moving coverage on every move along with in-home tech support to uninstall or set up computer networks or home theatres, and also offers transparent package pricing online.<\/p>\n
\nYears in the business: <\/b>90
\nCore services: <\/b>Household moving, long distance moving, corporate moving, and international moving
\nAwards or Recognitions: <\/b>Women’s Choice Awards’ \u201cMost Recommended Moving Company<\/a>\u201d (2015-2018)
\nUnique offerings: <\/b>
\nAllied Van Lines offers flexible moving solutions for any type of move including packing options; one-of-a-kind stretch wrapping and packing techniques to keep your valuable household items protected; a certified labor program that formally screens all Allied crew members for your safety; a committed Personal Relocation Consultant to assist you in creating your own Personal Moving Plan; and online shipment tracking so you can keep tabs on your stuff.<\/p>\n
\nYears in the business: <\/b>127
\nCore services: <\/b>Household moves, corporate relocation, international moves, military and government moves, and specialized moves, such as business or industrial site moves.
\nAwards or Recognitions: <\/b>2017 Logistics Management Magazine<\/i> \u201cQuest for Quality\u201d<\/a> award winner in the Truckload & Van Line Carriers category.
\nUnique offerings: <\/b>Instant \u201cballpark\u201d online quotes to help give you an idea of what your move will cost; clearly advertised discounts on their website; and an array of low-cost moving supplies available to you.<\/p>\n
\nYears in the business: <\/b>70
\nCore services: <\/b>Local moves, Long distance moves, Corporate relocation, Military and Government moves, and Special Item moving.
\nAwards or Recognitions: <\/b>Better Business Bureau A+ rating<\/a>
\nUnique offerings: <\/b>Customizable packing services, flexible options for storage, can handle hard-to-move items like cars, motorcycles, swing sets, and pianos, AAA member discounts.<\/p>\n
\nYears in the business: <\/b>18
\nCore services: <\/b>Residential moving, international Moving, automobile Transport, and logistics
\nAwards or Recognitions: <\/b>Ranked #1 by Consumers Advocate<\/a> in the \u201cTop 10 Moving Companies of 2018\u201d list
\nUnique offerings: <\/b>
\nIVL offers easily accessible moving and logistics services with customer service representatives on call to answer your questions over the phone or with their easy-to-use chat feature. They also offer one month of free storage with each move in their spacious storage units as well as a \u201cBest Move Ever Guarantee:” to provide their customers with the best moving experience from estimate to move completion.<\/p>\n