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Moving out of state can be a stressful experience. Making your relocation quick, easy and painless is a priority for many of us, and hiring professional movers can help you achieve exactly that. Keep reading to learn what to look for in out-of-state movers, how much it costs to move long distances, and how to get instant online quotes from top-rated companies.
Here are the most important things to look for when hiring a long distance moving company.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a long distance moving company is the cost. You should only consider working with companies that quote reasonable prices – not too high and not too low.
Be wary of companies offering their services for a considerably lower price than others. Some of the best interstate moving companies won’t flog their services for cheap. A company quoting a low price may be unlicensed or have limited experience.
What’s a reasonable price to pay depends on how far you’re moving and what you’re taking with you. Generally, you can expect to pay between $2,000-$9,000 for an interstate move, depending on the add on services you want to purchase.
You can get an interstate moving estimate in minutes using our moving price calculator, which compares the best moving companies and provides several quotes.
Most companies provide an estimate based on the size of your home and then conduct a home survey to give you a final price. You can also supply an inventory for the company to review and provide a final quote from.
Related article: How to Prepare for a Long Distance Move
When you receive an estimate from an interstate moving company, ask if it’s binding or subject to change. Your estimate should not change just because the company decides to increase its prices later, nor should it change if the company encounters delays en route.
For example, if the company gets lots of inquiries about your moving date or if the move takes an extra day through no fault of your own, the total cost should not change. Only work with companies who charge a flat rate that won’t change once you’ve signed the moving contract or paid the deposit.
Naturally, all companies will charge extra if you have significantly more stuff to transport compared with what was stated in the inventory. For example, if you’ve purchased a washing machine, tumble dryer, and/or heavy machinery that you didn’t have before.
If you’ve purchased additional heavy, bulky items before your move, make sure you notify your moving company in advance. Otherwise, this could cause delays on moving day.
To secure your booking on your preferred date at the rate quoted, you’ll need to pay a deposit. Every professional moving company will charge a 50% deposit (or lower) to confirm your booking.
Be wary of any company asking for full payment upfront or a deposit higher than 50%, as this could be a scam. Always check the reviews, refund policies, and registration with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) before making any payments.
Related article: 7 SHOCKING Moving Company Scams & How to Spot Them
Customer reviews are one of the best ways to determine whether a long distance mover is the right company for you. Reviews offer a first-hand perspective on what it’s like to work with the company in question. They also demonstrate how experienced the company is with the moving process.
Only check customer reviews on unbiased sites, like Yelp or Google, rather than the ones on the company website, as there’s a chance these may not be genuine. A company with no independent reviews can be a bad sign and should be avoided if you want a risk-free move.
Remember, one bad review out of hundreds shouldn’t be a reason to not proceed with a moving company. A mix of good, average, and bad reviews should be expected, provided there are significantly more good reviews.
When there are bad customer reviews, read the company’s response, or check whether they’ve responded at all. This can tell you a lot about how the company treats customers who encounter issues.
You can also contact your local Better Business Bureau to learn about any formal complaints made against the moving company in the past.
Remember, the most important things to look for are that the company is reliable, friendly, fast, professional, and experienced. It’s also good if the reviews say the moving company made the experience easy. Paying for moving services should make your move less stressful, so this is an important trait to look for.
Many long distance movers offer extras or perks when you’re traveling over a certain distance or if you make a booking for a certain month (like outside of peak season). Others offer seasonal discounts for bookings made during certain months, regardless of your moving date.
Booking early (between 2-3 months in advance) is the best way to ensure you get the date you want. It can also work out favorably price-wise, as quotes will almost always be higher the more last minute your booking is.
When reviewing your professional movers quotes, look for any other added perks offered by the company.
For example, some may offer an online tracking system that lets you see where your moving trucks are. Others may offer better moving insurance coverage for free when you’re traveling over a certain distance.
Every interstate mover must be registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). When registered, they are licensed to transport residential possessions from one state to another.
Without this license, the company is operating illegally and you won’t be protected if something goes wrong. You can check if a long distance moving company is licensed via the FMCA website.
Every legitimate company must also offer you one of two types of mover’s insurance. One is titled released value (offered as standard) and the other full value (usually available for an extra cost).
Released value offers you partial reimbursement for lost/damaged items. Full value offers you “full” reimbursement of the item’s cost if it’s lost/damaged by the company during the move.
In addition to these standard insurances, you can purchase your own insurance for certain items or add it to your home insurance (provided your insurer allows this). You should notify your moving company if you have purchased additional insurance.
Related article: Top 5 Safety Tips for Moving Long Distances
Moving out of state varies in cost depending on the following factors:
The quickest way to find out how much your out of state move costs is to use the moving price calculator. We’ll compare prices from the best interstate moving company services and offer you instant online quotes.
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about interstate moving.
The cheapest way to move across states is to hire your own moving truck or container rather than hiring a moving company. When DIYing your move, you can hire a truck for as little as $130 per day.
However, you should be mindful of the added costs associated with truck hire. For example, you’ll also need to pay for:
You’ll also need to consider how you’re going to return the vehicle and how you’re going to get yourself back to your new home afterward. For example, if you need to drive the moving truck back to your previous state and then take a flight to get yourself home again.
When hiring your own moving truck, try to find a company that has nationwide availability and/or a depot in your new area to avoid the additional costs associated with transport.
Other ways to save money when moving out of state include:
Get a quote online today to learn how much your relocation will cost.
Local moving companies can cross state lines, but only if they are properly licensed by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). When registered for long distance moves, the company will have a US DOT number, which you can use to check if they have the correct registration.
Without this license, the local moving company cannot legally cross state lines, regardless of how far across the border it is. Instead, they can only cater to local moves within the same state.
When you work with an unlicensed company, your possessions won’t be insured regardless of the company’s policy. You also won’t be able to make a claim if something goes wrong, like if your possessions get lost/damaged, or the service isn’t carried out as planned.
Related article: How Long Does It Take to Move Interstate?
The cost of relocation out of state will depend on many factors, but the biggest thing that impacts costs is how heavy your items are. This determines how many staff are needed to load/unload your possessions and what size vehicle you need to hire.
Related article: Moving a Long Distance? A Checklist for Moving Day
To save money or simply make the move easier, there are some items you should not move long distance. Some of the best items to consider getting rid of before your interstate move include:
Remember, if you’re planning on decluttering significantly before moving, tell your moving company or ask for an updated estimate after sorting through your items. Otherwise, you may be charged more than necessary.
Related article: An Infographic Guide to Choosing the Best Moving Company
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