Moving home can seem like a complicated process. While this can be challenging if you’re moving from one place to another within a city, it can be even more difficult if you’re moving from state to state.
However, this can be much easier by hiring a full-service moving company. While the move itself will become simpler, that doesn’t mean that the overall process will be. Much of this will be driven by the fact that there are a variety of things that you’ll need to consider when you’re moving.
One of the more notable of these will be which full-service moving company to hire. There are quite a considerable number of them to choose from, with several factors to differentiate between them.
The decision may be somewhat easier than you might believe, however, as there are a few companies that stand out from the rest. Much of this is driven by the high-quality service that they offer, as well as the fact that they’re quite cost-effective.
Atlas Van Lines is one of the larger full-service moving companies in the United States and has operators in every state. As a result, you should be able to take advantage of a quick and easy move without having to worry about many distance-related costs.
The company also has quite an advanced search tool on its website that allows you to check the availability of operators. Alongside this is a state of the art tracking system, so you shouldn’t have to worry about where your possessions are.
Atlas Van Lines is also quite notable for providing a variety of regular discounts and specials, so you should be able to hire the company for much lower than you may have thought.
Allied Van Lines is one of the few full-service moving companies in the United States that also offers services across the Atlantic. As a result, it’s one of the more recommended options for people who are moving to Europe.
The firm is also known for working with local movers to offer a complete moving package, which is something that many of us may want to take advantage of. Alongside this, the customer service staff at Allied Van Lines are much friendlier than you might expect, especially compared to other firms.
United Van Lines has perhaps the largest full-service agent network across the United States, and operates in every state except for Hawaii. Because of this, there shouldn’t be any issues when it comes to availability, with there also being the domino effect of making the firm quite affordable.
In terms of quality, United Van Lines conducts frequent checks of its trucks and vans. As a result, you should be able to avoid any breakdowns that may set back your move. Because of the number of operators that the company has, you should be able to expect a timely response and quick move.
Alongside this, United Van Lines also offers a free estimate, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any unexpected costs.
While Wheaton Worldwide Moving is one of the smaller companies that you may find, it does operate in 47 states, with the only ones it does service being Maine, Nevada, and Wyoming. However, the firm does offer an extensive number of features to capitalize on in each of the other states.
One of the more unique of these is an online estimate tool. While many other companies may offer this, the one that Wheaton Worldwide Moving uses is much more accurate than you might expect.
Alongside this, the firm has gained a reputation for being much more flexible than other companies, especially when it comes to last-minute changes in moving dates.
See Also: Moving To Maine – Relocation Guide | Moving To Wyoming
North American Van Lines has been in operation for close to a century, which has given it a certain amount of expertise in the niche. Alongside working in every state in the U.S., it also services Canada and Mexico, making it one of the few firms to do so.
Because of the extensive experience that North American Van Lines offers, it’s created and refined a variety of features that you may want to take advantage of. One of the more notable of these is real-time interaction through the company’s website.
This is enhanced by a real-time GPS system that allows you to track your possessions quite easily.
Mayflower is another company that has an extensive amount of history in the full-service moving niche, as it’s been in operation for over 90 years. Because of this, it’s adapted and evolved significantly over the years to ensure that it offers the services that its customers need the most.
Much of this is seen in how Mayflower handles a client’s possessions, with the firm being noted for using a significant amount of care when doing so. The company is also licensed to operate across the entire U.S., so you shouldn’t have to worry about where you’re located or where you’re moving to.
While Arpin Van Lines isn’t as well-known as many of its competitors, it has gained quite a positive reputation among its customers, as well as among the rest of the industry. This can best be highlighted by the praise that it’s received from industry watchdogs, such as the International Mover Association (IAM), which has given it a 94% approval rating.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has also given it a rating of A+, so you shouldn’t need to worry about the quality of service that you’ll receive. Alongside this, you should be able to rest assured that your possessions are in experienced and caring hands when they’re being moved.
Two Men and a Truck has close to 3,000 vans and trucks, with these operating in every state around the country. As a result, it has an extensive amount of availability, regardless of where you’re living or moving to.
Alongside this, the company offers real-time tracking in each of its trucks, so you should be able to check on your possessions as much as you want.
However, Two Men and a Truck is best known for its customer service, which is the primary driver behind its extensive growth. The company’s customer-friendly attitude is best exemplified by how flexible it is with changes in moving plans, which can be quite beneficial.
While Best Interstate Moving & Storage isn’t a full-service moving company itself, it does act as a broker between customers and local firms to ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for.
There are a variety of benefits to using the firm to find a moving company that suits your needs. Perhaps the most notable of these is that you shouldn’t have to deal with aggressive sales representatives or unwanted tactics.
As a result, you’ll be able to choose the firm and services that you’re looking for without any hassle.
Bekins Van Lines is perhaps the oldest full-service moving company still in operation, with the firm being over a century old. As a result of this history, the business has been able to adapt its approach to ensure that it meets every client’s needs.
Alongside this, Bekins Van Lines offers to set up your furniture in your new home according to your specifications. This is done according to detailed drawings that the company will create with you when you first hire them.
Though this could mean that you’ll need to spend a certain amount of time working on the drawings up-front, it saves a significant amount of time and hassle in the long-term.
While choosing a full-service moving company will be one of the more notable things that you’ll have to look at when moving, it’s not the only thing. There are quite a significant number of things you’ll have to consider, which can often make the process seem overwhelming.
However, there are a few more essential things that you’ll have to do when you’re planning the move. The first of these is to research as much as possible beforehand. The majority of this will be focused on the company you decide to hire, with this focusing on a few different features.
While each of the above companies is high-quality and efficient, many others aren’t. As such, there can be many more firms that use unethical business practices that you might be aware of.
Even with companies that are above board, you should still research them as much as possible. The majority of this should be focused on how much they’ll cost, whether they operate in your area, and much more.
When you’re doing so, you should also check their customer reviews and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. Doing so will ensure that you’re able to get an accurate overview of how high-quality the company is.
Alongside this, you should decide how much you want to do yourself. While the majority of companies will offer everything you need, this can often be quite expensive. However, you should have the option of choosing only a certain amount of services, with you and your family doing the rest.
While this will mean that you’ll have to do a certain amount, it can significantly reduce the cost. Many companies will often offer on-site storage units alongside their moving services, which can often be beneficial.
By taking advantage of these, you’ll be able to pack and unpack your belongings at your convenience. While this can often make things much easier, it does mean that you might run up a variety of extra costs, although this can vary significantly depending on the company.
Speaking of cost, you should also ask for estimates and quotes when you’re comparing companies. These should come free, which will then allow you to decide better which company you want to choose.
Budget can often be one of the defining factors of which full-service moving company you choose to hire. If you’re aiming to keep costs as low as possible, then you should get as many quotes as possible before you hire anybody.
These costs can often vary significantly depending on when you’re moving and how much of a distance you’ll have to go. Many firms will also offer seasonal discounts, which means that you should wait until certain times of the year before moving, if possible.
The peak moving season is typically between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which means that hiring a company between these dates can often be much more expensive. As a result of this, determining the date you want to move can be vital.
Alongside this, you’ll need to choose a fixed date for doing so. This will be vital to hire the company, but it’s also something that can have consequences should you decide to change when you’re moving.
Should you change the date, then you could run into a variety of additional costs, which could make the process much more expensive. Alongside this, a certain full-service moving company may often not be available for a new date, which means that you may have to look for another firm. As a result, you could end up delaying the process much more than you may want.
By following each of the above steps, you shouldn’t have any problems when choosing a full-service moving company. While the decision can often be a personal one, as it depends on your specific needs, you should be able to select the right company for you by focusing on each of the above.
The companies already mentioned can offer a variety of benefits when you hire them. When you’re comparing them, however, you’ll still need to focus on what you’re needs and preferences are.
Being informed is the key to any large decision. As a result, you should spend a significant amount of time researching companies and preparing for the move before you hire any firm. Doing so will ensure that the moving process is as smooth and efficient as possible.
Related: Should You Choose a National Mover or a Local Mover
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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