If you’ve ever moved before, whether it be locally or cross country, you know it’s one of the most stressful things you’ll ever undergo, and that’s without being dramatic. Tackling the whole process by yourself can seem even more impossible and overwhelming, which is why so many people bite the bullet and hire a moving company to do all the heavy lifting for them. Now you may be thinking it’s just too expensive or you can do it yourself, and yes, you may be right, but before you make the decision, consider the points below.
Is it worth it?
The age-old question. Think about how much time it takes to move cross country. Planning in and of itself is extremely time-consuming, demanding up to weeks and months. Depending on the distance, amount of belongings you’re moving and other specifics, you can imagine that trying to plan and execute the whole thing yourself could eat into such a large chunk of your life and money, that you’ll end up wishing you’d just hired the cross country moving company from the start.
Starting with a good moving cost calculator, comparing online moving quotes, and doing a little research can save you so much in the long run. Between decluttering, packing, changing address, setting up your new services and utilities and canceling your old ones, you’ll already be completely strapped for time. You may also end up spending an obscene amount of money on renting the truck, working out logistics, and end up hiring help anyway. All I’m saying is, think about it.
How much does it cost and does every company offer cross country services?
The answers are, it varies, and it varies. In order to move cross country, a moving company must be federally licensed, so make sure of that before even bothering with an estimate. Cross country moving companies also require special authorization to perform their work in different states, and carry particular insurance. You can, and should, read plenty of reviews online and make sure the company is fully accredited before engaging.
When you’ve selected a company, you’ll be getting an estimate. This may be binding or non-binding, but in my experience binding is best. This means that the original price quoted cannot be changed or added to at the last minute, and this protects you from those nasty additional charges you may not have seen coming. You’ll need the correct weight for your belongings, and you’ll also need to decide what kind of insurance you want. Most companies offer a basic protection for free, but that won’t cover much, so consider shelling out a little extra for peace of mind.
Should I? Dare I?
The choice is yours, of course, but the truth is, spending that extra cash should be factored into the cost of moving as whole. Trying to tackle this kind of move by yourself is not only extremely stressful and difficult, but also a recipe for disaster. You may think you’ve covered all your bases, but the professionals have been at this for years, and sometimes it’s best to part with a little money to hold on to a little sanity.
