Introduction
Are you planning to move long distances? Then, this writing will guide you to find the perfect long-distance moving company. Long-distance moving is a troublesome job. It takes time, money, and energy to move long distances. Moving cross-country could be complicated if you choose the wrong company. Finding the right cross-country mover is a challenging task. You need to consider lots of issues. There are many cross-country moving companies available in the market. But, not all of them are the best in their services. Moreover, you must decide whether you want a full-service mover or a partial one. Hire movers to make your moving simple and hassle-free.
Long-distance moving company
The first thing we need to understand is the meaning of moving companies and what services they offer. A moving company is a professional organization that helps you to move your belongings and stuff from one place to another. In addition, they offer professional moving services. These moving services include packing, transferring, loading, and unloading stuff. Some of the companies offer cleaning and storage services as well.
Long-distance movers are moving companies that move your stuff to a certain distance. Cross-country movers provide services like interstate moving and international moving. Some of them may do local moving as well.
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Long-distance moving companies usually have their vehicles to move the stuff safely. Some of them use 3rd parties to proceed. Some companies have insurance coverage in case there is an accident. This is known as valuation coverage.
Moving long distances is complicated. It requires a lot of attention. Hiring a professional moving company would make your moving effortless. Then, all you need to do is find the appropriate mover for you.
Types of long-distance moving
There are various categories of long-distance movers. First, you need to find a company that meets your purpose. Then, depending on the services provided, there are different types of long-distance moving companies.
Commercial space moving
Commercial space moving is complicated compared to other moving. A commercial moving company provides professional help to move a retail space. Such as moving your office from one place to another. When you are moving commercial space, you need to be very careful. You must carry all your important documents and equipment in a commercial move.
Offices have some heavy and sensitive equipment such as computers, printers, and heavy desks. While moving them interstate or cross country, the moving company must make sure to secure them properly. Damaging them would cost the company a lot. Moreover, Handling documents is a sensitive issue. All the documents need to be kept in a different box with labels. Documents need to be categorized and labeled properly. The moving company needs to write the details in the package such as the department name. Important and confidential documents must be packed separately. However, many organizations don't let the moving company handle personal documents. They hold them personally. But, the moving company is responsible for moving documents. Therefore, they need to be cautious while moving papers and office materials.
Moreover, moving interrupts office function. The move needs to be completed within a short time. Moving commercial space is complicated. So, moving commercial space is expensive. You need to pay quite a good amount of money.
International Moving
International moving requires lots of procedures. First, you must be aware of the moving law and customs rules. When hiring an international mover, you must ensure they maintain all the regulations correctly. Finally, there is a lot of paperwork involved in the moving process.
International moving expenses depend on several factors. Such as the size and weight of your package, the mode of the vehicle, and the distance. There are many international moving companies available in the market. You must compare the cost and services of several companies before hiring. A global full-service moving company takes all the responsibility and moves all your stuff regardless of the distance.
Residential or household moving
Residential moving is the most common in distant moving. In residential moving, people move their household from their present address to the new address. There are many moving companies available who provide this service. You can move your entire household with professional expertise. Some full-service residential movers offer various moving services. These include packing all your belongings, loading them into the vehicle, moving to a new address, and unloading and unpacking them. You can get the moving package based on your needs.
Small scale moving
Small-scale moving is a unique but beneficial concept. Sometimes people just need to move certain items, not the entire household. So they can rely on small-scale moving. For example, you want to move a few boxes from one place to another. But, it won't be cost-effective to move small items. So, you should hire a professional mover who has small-scale moving facilities.
Truck rentals
Another standard long-distance moving option is moving truck rentals. If you have a limited budget, this is a good option. Unlike full-service movers, they will only provide the moving truck. You need to do all the other tasks. In this process, you need to hire a moving truck for your long-distance move. This is similar to a self-service action. In a self-service move, you do all the tasks. The moving company just drives and delivers the items. You pack, unpack, load, and unload all the stuff yourself. This is one of the most cost-effective moving processes. But, you can choose a moving truck rental if you have enough time or fewer items to move.
Moving Container
Moving container companies offer another great deal in long-distance moves. They don't provide a full-service move. Here, container moving companies offer you moving containers. You need to load and unload the container. This is also a very cost-effective long-distance moving system. Another benefit of moving containers is that you can load and unload your own time. You can also use the container as storage in case of long distances.
Things you need to consider to find the right cross-country mover
Finding the right mover needs proper research. There are so many tasks involved in the process. First, you need to prepare at least 2/3 months before your move. Then, you need to go through the details. Choosing the wrong moving company may cost you. People move their valuable belongings through moving companies. So, before proceeding, you must do your research. There are several things that you need to consider. First, you must browse through to get that information. This will help you to find the right long-distance mover. You must research the following factors:
Customer feedback
The best way to understand the service of a moving company is to check the customer feedback. You can check the customer review online. You can go through the websites of multiple moving companies and check their customer reviews. Positive customer reviews indicate better service. You can check complaints and negative comments on the Better Business Bureau. Better Business Bureau gives you precise feedback regarding customer services. Various websites rate these cross-country movers. Check out those websites to get a clear idea. You can check out its services if a company has positive customer reviews. You must do proper research on their customer feedback.
Storage facilities
Moving long-distance may require storage facilities. It is challenging to carry all your stuff when you move to a distant place. Many cross-country movers offer storage. So, you must explore your options. Compare the storage facilities between companies to get a better offer.
Pricing
In the moving industry, moving cost is a crucial factor. Long distance move is expensive. So you need to do market research to get a better deal. Different websites offer moving quotes free. You can get free quotes online from different companies. Then compare them with each other. However, online quotes may not be accurate. It may change depending on your service requirements.
Deposit
Most of the time, long-distance movers require a deposit. Compare the current deposit of different companies. You shouldn't be hiring a mover with a considerable deposit. Providing a huge amount of advance may cause some severe issues. For example, if a mover requires a 50% deposit, don't just go with it. Instead, compare the deposit of multiple moving companies. It will help you to understand the moving industry.
When you give a considerable deposit, it may lead to some harmful consequences. You may lose the advanced amount if something happens and you need to cancel the move. Also, providing a larger deposit may make the process slow. When the moving company gets the advance, they may not feel the urgency to do the job faster. This will slow down the whole moving process. Even worse can happen if the company doesn't show up. So, better you research a bit about the moving market deposit. Then you will be able to find a suitable mover for you.
License and insurance
Check out whether the moving company has moving insurance coverage or not. Hiring movers with moving insurance would ensure the safety of your belongings. There are various types of moving insurance. One of the must is primary liability insurance.
Basic liability insurance covers any service damage. Sometimes it is required by the federal. This is the most common type of moving insurance. It covers the basic liability of movers. Moving business is risky. Oftentimes accidents happen. If the company doesn't have any moving insurance policy, it will significantly damage the mover. And liability insurance covers any damage or accident during moving.
Other additional insurance for customer property protection, employee benefits, and vehicle insurance. Movers can select the coverage they want. Depending on their demand, they may avail of full-service or partial coverage. You must go through all the details of insurance facilities provided by the potential movers.
Another critical issue that you need to check is whether the moving company is properly licensed or not. Licensed movers are more responsible than others. They will be more accountable for their services. While hiring movers, make sure to check their licenses.
Plan your long-distance moving
Half of your tasks are done when you plan correctly. Start planning your move whenever you decide to move. Planning makes your move organized. Especially in long-distance moves, you must be very careful about each item. Every step should be adequately planned, from packing to loading, unloading, and unpacking. Things you need to consider while planning your move are as follows-
checklists
The first thing you need to do while planning your move is to prepare a checklist. Put all the tasks in the checklist you need to do in the long-distance move. It will help you to track down your progress. There are lots of tasks involved in the moving process. You need to change your address, register your vehicle in the new place, change your driving license and update your insurance while moving. You also need to pack all your belongings and categorize them. Checking the weather would help you to avoid any rough situation. You should prepare a checklist and list down all these things. All your taxes need to be updated.
Moreover, you can provide a list to your mover so they won't miss anything. Preparing a checklist makes your move smoother and easier. Moving long distances is exhausting and chaotic. If you left anything behind, it is challenging to bring that back. So, making a list would reduce the chances of leaving things behind.
Timing
When preparing a plan to move long-distance, prepare a schedule. The timing is crucial for a long-distance move. Make a schedule to notify the moving company about your move. You should never move on busy days when most people choose to move. Before fixing the moving date, you should check whether there are any moving restrictions. Sometimes due to events or festivals, movements are restricted to certain areas. When you are moving long-distance, these incidents can cause lots of hassle. You should also check the local weather before long-distance moving. Schedule your long-distance move to avoid any type of climate hazard.
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Budget
As long-distance moving is expensive, preparing a budget is a must. A budget is a monetary plan. After getting cost quotes from various moving companies, you can get an approximate idea of the overall cost of your move. Then based on the quotes, you can prepare a proper budget. A moving budget helps you to prepare yourself. Moreover, you can save money with a reasonable budget. It allows you to cut down your unnecessary costs.
Downsizing unnecessary items
One of the most important things about planning your move is downsizing your unnecessary or less important things. We know that not all the things in a household are equally important. While some are essential, others are less critical items in a household. You don't need all of them. Cross-country moves are challenging. It requires lots of time, money, and energy.
Cutting down some less essential things would save you money and time. So, prepare a list of the least essential items in your household before moving. Then sell them or donate them. Moreover, there are certain items which would be more convenient to buy. You can purchase those items at your new address rather than moving them. Carrying them a long distance would cost you more.
Get Quotes
Most moving companies provide free online quotes. Get quotes from multiple moving companies. This will help you to compare the cost of various companies. Some movers have hidden charges. Discuss the details with them to make your doubts clear. Otherwise, this hidden cost would increase your expenses. After selecting your desired company, get written quotes from them. It will give you a clear idea about the total pricing policy. Then, you can use that estimation to prepare your moving budget. As long-distance moves are expensive, preparing a proper budget would help reduce costs.
Home Inventory
Getting an online quote will give you a primary idea about the cost. But you need an accurate estimation to prepare the budget. Talking to them online or getting free quotes won't be enough. Even if you explain to them how many rooms you have, they won't get a proper idea about your belongings.
Best long-distance movers usually do a house tour and then offer a price estimation. It also helps them to list down your belongings. Then, they can categorize the items to move smoothly. However, some vulnerable items may get damaged if not packaged properly in the long move. When the movers do home inventory, you can discuss the moving process with them. Discussing everything with the mover is better than hiring a moving broker.
Available Long distance moving services
To find the best long-distance moving company, you need to know its services. Full-service moving companies provide various types of services. There are some partial movers as well who offer partial moving services based on the demand. We have already discussed that long-distance moving is a very tiresome job. Many tasks are involved, and you need to be very careful while moving. Full-service movers have various moving options available. You can avail of the services based on your need. Available full-service long-distance moving services are discussed here-
Packing Services
You can pack your belongings. Packing household stuff is tricky. This may take quite a long time. Moreover, there are different delicate and vulnerable items in a household. These items need to be packed very carefully. Otherwise, They may get damaged in the long journey. Taking professional help can reduce these hassles. Professional movers provide packing services.
Professional movers have expert skills to pack and unpack items quickly and smoothly. They have workers who got years of experience in packing and unpacking. A professional moving company also supplies packing supplies like moving boxes, wrapping papers, bubble wrap, and other items. They have expertise in wrapping vulnerable things. Also, professional movers would pack your stuff so that it won't get damaged on the way. In packing services, you can also include unpacking. So, you won't have to worry about packing.
Loading and unloading Services
The moving package may also include loading and unloading services. Loading and unloading is a difficult job. You need to handle the stuff carefully while loading. Accidents happen during loading and unloading. Items can get damaged if not handled properly. Also, sometimes people injure themselves. When you are moving cross country, it includes lots of extra pressure. Hiring cross-country movers would reduce the stress. Cross-country moving companies offer both loading and unloading services.
Storage services
Another important long-distance moving service is a storage facility. We know a cross-country move requires time. When you move the entire household cross country, you need time to organize them. You need a place to keep your stuff during the transition.
Most cross-country moving companies offer storage services. You can store your stuff for a certain period. Some cross-country movers provide accessible storage facilities for a few months. After that, you can rent the storage if needed. Some storage companies are also available. You can rent storage from them.
Some people prefer storage containers or moving containers for this purpose. Moving container companies like PODS drop the container at your house. Then you can load your stuff depending on your time. You can also use the container as storage. Then, when the container is delivered to your new address, you can unload it taking your own time.
Vehicle Moving
Moving your vehicle cross-country is challenging and exhausting. Of course, you can drive your car to your new destination. But, when you are moving cross country, driving could take a few days. This could be tiresome, especially when moving to a new place.
Cross-country moving companies provide exceptional services to vehicle moving. Rather than driving long distances, You can rely on cross-country movers. They will move your car safely to the new destination. Cross-country vehicle movement is costly. But, if you drive it yourself, you need to pay for the gas. Moreover, it will cost you valuable time. Long-distance moving companies offer this service for you.
Specialty Services
Cross-country moving companies offer special services as well. Some long-distance moving companies provide cleaning services, transporting antique and art items. In cleaning services, they would clean your existing house after you leave. Also, some heavy materials are tough to move. Such as, Heavy household appliances. Some of the cross-country movers provide piano moving services. Professional cross-country moving companies offer different specialty services to make your move easier.
Best long-distance Moving Companies
There are many long-distance moving companies available in the market. They offer moving services for long-distance moves. Each of the companies has its specialty. To find the best long-distance mover, you need to analyze the pros and cons of the selected companies. This section will discuss the pros and cons of some of the best long-distance moving companies. It will guide you to find the best cross-country mover.
Allied Van Lines
Allied van lines is a full-service mover. They have superior customer service. They are one of the most experienced moving companies. They have been in the moving business since 1928. They give priority to their customers. They provide a complete service package, including packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. They also have partial moving services. Allied van lines also offer moving trucks and containers. They assign a customer coordinator for each of their customers. This is one of the best features they have. The customer coordinator will assist you in the whole moving proceeding.
You can get quotes from the website of Allied van lines. You will get an approximate cost idea from the quotes. A full-service quote includes packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, transition, liability coverage, fuel, and other essential costs. But it won't add any additional charges. But, of course, if you have any other demand, then the price would change.
Pros
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They have the best customer service.
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They have a huge moving network
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Both full-service and partial moving services are available
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Provides cross-country moving to all the states
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Provides commercial, household, and vehicle moving
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You can track the moving online
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Offer special demand services such as cleaning
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No deposit is required
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Cancellation option available
Cons
American van lines
American Van Lines is another well-reputed cross-country mover. It has gained recognition pretty quickly. They provide commercial, vehicle, and household moving options. They take a good amount of deposit. But American van lines have great reviews and track records. So, people trust them with the deposit. Moreover, you can cancel if there is any emergency.
Pros
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American van lines have a fixed service rate. So, you won't have to bother about the price. They have a fixed rate for various moving options.
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They offer discounts for cross-country moving between the major cities in the U.S.
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American Van Lines are cost-effective compared to other top moving companies
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They have a reputation for practicing sustainable moving.
Cons
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American Van Lines is one of the highest deposit-required cross-country moving companies. They require 10-50 percent
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Their cancellation policy is not very flexible. You can cancel your reservation seven days before your move.
United van lines
United Van Lines is one of the most prominent cross-country moving companies. They are leading the moving industry. They have many options to offer. United Van Lines has achieved its success through lots of hardship. They offer all sorts of moving services. They provide international, cross-country, and local moving as well.
United Van Lines is a full-service moving company. They also offer special services such as Wi-Fi disassembly and cleaning. Customer service is not its best feature as they have so many customers.
Pros
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They have a free cancellation policy
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No deposit is required
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Provides discounts
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Offers special services like cleaning and Wi-Fi disassembly
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A simple and easy-to-use online portal that most customers can use
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They have Instant online quotes
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United Van Lines offers special discounts and services to military families
Cons
jk moving services
JK moving services offer customized moving services. They are a full-service cross-country moving company. It provides customers with a professional long-distance relocation. They have all the moving services available. You can avail of customized services based on your requirements. They are doing the moving business with good reputation.
Pros
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Good customer services
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JK moving services offer online tracking of shipment
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They have third-party financing facilities available with a low-interest rate
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Customizable moving services are available
Cons
North American van lines
North American van lines have led the moving business for over 80 years. They offer both international and national moving. This is a full-service moving company. North American van lines are one of the experienced and well-known cross-country moving companies.
North American van lines provide all sorts of moving services. Their package includes packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, storage, and car moving. They also move heavy household appliances. In addition, this company unloads, unpacks, and assembles furniture if the customer demands it. Customers can avail of partial service as well.
North American van lines have BlueExpress moving container service. This is almost similar to PODS or U-PACK.
Pros
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They have flexible moving options. Customers can customize the services they want.
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North American Van Lines offer insurance facilities
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Container moving option available through BlueExpress
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You can track your shipment online
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Deposit money is not required
Cons
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A cancellation policy is available, but you must cancel within a limited time.
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North American Van Lines costs a little bit higher than some other competitors.
International van lines
International Van Lines started their journey as an international mover. But gradually, they focus on cross-country moving. As a result, they have an excellent rating. International van lines has been ranked and awarded by many national and international reviewers.
International Van Lines is also one of the reputed full-service moving Companies. They provide all types of cross-country moving services. They have many moving options available. You can choose the one that matches your requirements. You can get quotes online. International Van Lines provide a detailed cost breakdown. The vehicle moving option is available in International Van Lines.
Pros
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International Van Lines have a good reputation
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They offer both full-service and partial moving
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The cancellation policy is flexible. You can cancel your deal within 48 hours prior to your move without any cost
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They have a good breakdown of moving costs
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Customers can avail discount if they have a flexible moving date.
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International van lines has strong insurance coverage available for their customers.
Cons
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You need to deposit 25% in advance
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International van lines doesn't offer a container moving option
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Their online inventory method is complicated
Factors affecting the cost of a long-distance move
The moving cost of a long-distance moving company varies depending on various factors. Customers can choose their required moving option from a variety of services. The best way to get a good deal is to do some market research on the pricing. The quality of the service matters as well. The factors that influence the cost of cross-country moving are as follows:
Moving method
Cross-country moving is pricey. You need to spend a good amount of money to move long distances. The cost largely depends on the moving method you choose. If you want to avail full-service moving, then it would cost more. Partial moving is less expensive compared to full-service. If you have a small budget, you can rent a truck. But, you need to do all the tasks by yourself. Some people prefer a hybrid method which reduces the cost significantly.
Distance
Distance is a crucial factor in cross-country moving. It affects the moving cost. The cost may vary depending on the location you are moving to. If you are moving to a major city, then it would probably cost more. Sometimes moving to remote areas may cost more. It is challenging to drive trucks to remote locations.
The farther you move, the more you will pay. Moreover, in cross-country moves, you may need storage. But, again, this will increase the cost.
weight and size
Long distance mover's cost also depends on your belongings' size and weight. For example, if you are moving heavy appliances, then it would cost more. The importance of your belongings will influence you as well. If you have more items to proceed with, you need to pay more. That's why it is better to downsize your unnecessary items before moving. It will help you to reduce the cost. You can save money in this way.
Hire professional movers
After analyzing all the above information about cross-country moving companies, you can hire the best mover. This information will help you to evaluate the performance of the best movers.
In the hiring process, first, do your research on cross-country moving companies. Then you need to prepare a proper moving plan. After that, shortlist a few moving companies that fulfill your requirements. Finally, get quotes from the selected movers. Online quotes can give you an estimated idea about your cost. But it won't give you accurate pricing. The company needs to do a home inventory to get an accurate price.
After getting quotes from a few long-distance moving companies, you need to contact the mover you want to hire. Then, they would visit for home inventory. It will give them a clear idea about your household. If everything goes okay, you can then hire them. Make sure to discuss every detail before confirming. It will remove all the confusion. It is better to get written documents from the movers. A full-service mover will provide you all the moving and storing services.
Track the moving process
Most of the top cross-country movers have an online tracking system. You can track your shipment online. With the help of this online tracking system, you will be able to know the whereabouts of your belongings. As cross-country movement takes time, this tracking system will reduce your stress.
Conclusion
Hiring a professional mover is an important decision. The most crucial part is finding the right mover. You need to find the most suitable mover for secure and smooth moving. Finding the right mover is not an easy job. There are so many movers on the market. So, you must evaluate the movers and select the best cross-country mover to move your belongings. Getting professional moving help would give you a stress-free moving experience.
