8 Benefits of Hiring a Moving Company
Quick answer: The biggest benefits of hiring a moving company include saving time, reducing stress, and ensuring belongings are handled with care. Movers take on the heavy lifting, provide professional packing, and navigate tricky logistics, so you don’t have to.
But every move is different, and there are other options out there — including renting a truck or using a moving container. If you’re not sure whether to go the DIY route or shell out more for a full-service experience, we’ll go over the main benefits of hiring a moving company.
Find out how movers can make your life easier, why they might be worth the cost, and what to look for when choosing a company to handle your relocation.
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
1. Movers save time (and your back)
One of the most obvious benefits of hiring a moving company is they can do all the heavy lifting for you. Movers take care of the grunt work — including packing and unpacking (for an extra fee) — so you can focus on other tasks like transferring utilities or setting up your new home.
No one wants to throw out their back while hauling a couch down the stairs. Movers have the tools and techniques to handle heavy furniture safely. For anyone with health concerns — or just a long to-do list — this is a lifesaver.
With a DIY move, you’ll certainly save some money… but you will have to do all the packing and loading yourself (plus, driving if you rent a moving truck). This can be time-consuming and physically exhausting, taking focus away from the other items on your moving checklist.
2. They’ll protect your most precious stuff
Need to move a piano, antiques, or other fragile items? Handling those on your own can get risky fast. Without the right packing or handling, you could end up with scratches, dents, or even broken family heirlooms.
Professional movers specialize in handling delicate or bulky items. Some, like American Van Lines, even train and certify crews in focused areas like moving antiques. They’re trained to protect your stuff with padding, custom crating, and careful techniques. Your valuables will be in good hands.
3. You can skip the packing nightmare
Packing is probably what everyone dreads most about moving. It’s time-consuming, you always run out of tape, and somehow, things still get damaged. Not only do you need to start packing early to get everything ready in time, you also need to get all the packing supplies yourself.
Full-service moving companies offer packing and unpacking. They’ll bring the supplies — boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and all— and box everything up securely. Once you get to your new place, they can even unpack for you. It’s a huge time-saver and eliminates the stress of figuring it all out yourself.
4. They know how to move efficiently
When you work with a professional moving company, you’re treated to a streamlined process from start to finish — you don’t even have to lift a finger. They know exactly how to load a truck to maximize space and ensure nothing shifts during transit. With their experience, you won’t waste time guessing how to fit your sectional next to the dining table.
Contrast that with a DIY move, where you might underestimate the size of the rental truck or moving containers you need. Movers handle those logistics, so you don’t have to.
Professional truck drivers are obviously more comfortable behind the wheel, but they also know the most efficient routes to get your items to your new home in as little time as possible. This is particularly beneficial for long-distance moves or interstate relocations.
5. Movers help you create a personalized moving plan
One of the oft-overlooked benefits of hiring a moving company is they will work with you to help you create a customized moving package.
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to moving. That’s why professional movers offer personalized plans through a variety of add-on options. Don’t need full packing services? Go for fragile-only packing. Need car shipping as part of your move? A lot of full-service companies can coordinate that, too.
DIY moves don’t really offer that level of flexibility, so you may be stuck trying to cram your stuff in a container that is too small, spending more money on third-party labor-only movers, or handling a flat truck tire on your own.
6. They make tough moves easy
Staircases, tight corners, and awkward layouts can lead to major headaches. If you try to maneuver bulky furniture on your own, you risk damaging your walls — or the furniture itself.
Movers are pros at navigating tricky spaces. They use experience and specialized equipment to handle challenging situations. What feels impossible to you is just another day at work for them.
7. They provide insurance for peace of mind
Even with the best planning, accidents can happen. When you move on your own, any damage to your stuff is on you. While you can obtain rental truck insurance or coverage for your moving container contents, this coverage can be limited because you are responsible for packing everything yourself. It can be much harder to successfully file a claim, especially if the damage was due to your own improper packing.
Movers, however, offer insurance options like released value protection or full value protection. This means if something does get damaged, you’re covered, at least partially. With movers taking responsibility for loading and packing, filing a claim is much easier.
8. Movers will help keep your friendships intact
Asking your friends to help you move might sound like a good idea… until someone drops a dresser or flakes on moving day. Save yourself the hassle (and awkward future favors) by hiring professionals. Movers show up on time, bring enough people for the job, and handle everything efficiently.
Hiring a moving company vs. DIY moves
There are a few key areas you’ll want to look at side-by-side when weighing the benefits of hiring a moving company vs. a DIY move.
Compare by cost
A DIY move will typically be cheaper than a full-service move — but the savings aren’t always as significant as you might think. When most people price out DIY moves, they only consider the cost of renting a moving truck or moving container.
In reality, hidden costs like packing supplies, fuel, and renting dollies and other moving equipment can add up… and fast. There’s also a good chance you could ding your walls, scuff your floors, or cause other damages to your existing or new house, resulting in repair bills.
While full-service movers may cost more on the surface, the higher price tag comes with more convenience and less stress. For many people, those benefits of hiring a moving company alone are well worth it.
| Moving Option | Estimated Price Range* |
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| Full-service movers | $2,136–$4,248 |
| Truck rentals | $430–$833 |
| Moving containers | $1,170–$1,955 |
*Pricing is based on a two-bedroom move from Houston to Lubbock, TX
Compare by services
Services that are commonplace with full-service movers generally aren’t available with truck rentals and moving containers, which can have a significant impact on your overall moving experience. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
For example, when Ana-Lisa used Bravo Moving to move from California to South Dakota, she felt it was the smoothest move she had ever experienced. Her movers were professional and careful. They treated her antiques with care and ensured on-time delivery at her new home, even with an unexpected need to transfer items to a smaller truck.
Similarly, Melissa found her move with Safeway Moving to be seamless, thanks to their transparent pricing, professional crews, and timely delivery of her belongings.
Using a rental truck or moving container will require a lot more hands-on work. While Gillian loved using U-Pack for her move, she actually had to rent a van to move her items from U-Pack’s service center to her new home because the company couldn’t access her street. Even for a one-bedroom apartment, this required multiple trips to move everything.
Our picks for pro movers
We use a comprehensive rating methodology to determine the best moving companies based on factors like transparent pricing, the quality of their services, and nationwide availability.
Safeway Moving is our top pick because they provide the best overall value in terms of cost and services, but there are several great movers that are worth considering for your move:
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Tips for hiring the right moving company
With our recommendations in mind, here are a few things you should consider when hiring movers to make sure you hire the right moving company:
- Check reviews and credentials. Online reviews can be an important source of information, but they aren’t the be-all, end-all — especially since online reviews tend to focus on negative experiences. moveBuddha offers thorough company reviews and in-depth moving experiences as part of our Better Moves Project. We only feature companies that we have verified are properly licensed and insured with the FMCSA.
- Understand your moving needs. Make sure you clearly understand which services you need before you reach out to movers. It won’t do you much good to get a quote from a company that doesn’t handle antiques if you need specialty packing for fragile items. Confirm what services the moving companies you’re interested in offer and whether they match what you need.
- Compare quotes and services. Start by using our moving cost calculator to get a rough estimate of how much your move should cost. Then, get quotes from three similar moving companies. Make sure the quotes cover the same services, and that you understand whether they are binding or non-binding estimates. Getting multiple quotes can help you find the best deal for your move and give you leverage with companies that offer price matching.
- Ask the right questions. Never leave part of your move up to chance. If you’re not sure about certain details, ask! Confirm what services are included in your quote, what insurance options are available, and what additional fees might apply to your move. Ask whether any moving discounts are available. This way, you won’t have any unexpected setbacks on moving day.
FAQ
Is hiring a moving company worth the cost?
Hiring a moving company may be worth the cost if you are looking to save time and energy on your move, and if you want confidence that your belongings will be professionally loaded and transported. One of the benefits of hiring a moving company is you don’t have to pack or loading your items on your own. This is helpful if you’re short on time or have health conditions that make heavy lifting difficult or impossible.
How much does a moving company typically cost?
The cost of a moving company can vary widely based on factors like the size and distance of your move, your starting and ending locations, the time of year, and any extra services you might need. Generally speaking, the cost to move a 3-bedroom house locally is around $1,500–$1,800, while a long-distance move would likely cost $2,000–$8,000. You can get more detailed pricing for your move through our calculator tool.
How far in advance should I book a moving company?
Book a moving company at least two to three months before your move date. This will ensure greater availability for your preferred move date. You may also be able to get better pricing by booking early.
Can I hire movers for just part of my move?
Yes, you can hire movers for certain parts of your move. Many full-service movers allow you to do the packing and unpacking yourself, or offer fragile-only packing options. If you are going the DIY route, you can use a moving labor company to help you load the rental moving truck and then drive the truck yourself.
What should I do to prepare for movers?
To prepare for movers, declutter and organize your house so it will be easy to pack and load everything on moving day. Get rid of anything you don’t plan on taking with you (including any hazardous items the moving company can’t transport). If you are doing your own packing, make sure that everything is completely packed before the movers arrive. Arrange care for children and pets, if needed, and make sure you have cash on hand to tip the movers.
Are moving companies available for same-day or last-minute moves?
Some moving companies may be available for same-day or last-minute moves, but they will usually charge an extra fee for this service. Same-day service is more likely to be an option outside of the peak season when there is generally less demand for full-service movers. Movers are typically busiest between mid-May and mid-October.
Our rating methodology
At moveBuddha, we understand that all moving companies aren’t created equal. We undertake a rigorous review process to rate and review companies like Safeway Moving to ensure we provide accurate recommendations.
Here’s a breakdown of the methodology we use to rate movers:
- Customer satisfaction: In addition to looking at reviews with the BBB, Google, and other third-party sites, we rely heavily on interviews with Better Moves Project participants to understand the pros and cons of each mover.
- Standard services: We look at what services are included as part of a company’s standard offerings, and which ones you can only get for an additional fee.
- Reputation: We evaluate a company’s industry ratings, including aspects like carrying sufficient insurance coverage and compliance with applicable regulations.
- Add-on services: We look at any add-on services that can simplify a move, such as custom crating or storage options — services that aren’t offered by all moving companies.
- Availability: The areas a company serves — as well as whether they offer local, long-distance, or international services — is another important consideration. Widespread availability is most useful.
- Type of mover: A moving company’s capability (such as full-service vs. DIY) will directly impact its service offerings.
- Payment: Ease of making a payment (including submitting a deposit) with multiple options (credit card, check, cash, etc.) can also make moving easier.
- Scheduling: How easy is it to book a move? What kind of lead time is needed? Readily available booking services and streamlined scheduling will help get your move underway.
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