Types of moves:

	Local: Usually the destination is within 100 miles of the origin. You will pay a mover from the time he starts at your door, loads the truck, drives to the destination, unloads and drives back to the origin (this 'driving back charge' is known as 'double drive time', you pay the mover(s) to drive back to the destination, which is fair as the mover(s) will put in this time and need to get paid for it).  If you are renting a truck, you will also pay the mileage charges on the truck to get it back to where you rented it.
	Long Distance: Usually the destination is greater than 100 miles. A mover will look at what you have, figure a weight, see how far you are going and factor in any difficulties and usually give you a flat rate for the move. The estimator cannot see the house you are moving to, however, and if there are any unforeseen difficulties on the unload (long narrow driveway that the truck won't fit in, flights of stairs, etc) you might be liable for an extra charge before the driver will unload your stuff (he will want the money in cash). This extra charge is actually fair, but it usually makes a person angry if unexpected. You should discuss this possibility with your mover.   If you are renting a truck, you can usually get a one way rate for the truck that is cheaper than the local rate (when the drive back is factored in). A one way rental also means that you can leave the truck at the destination. Make sure to rent a big enough truck for all your stuff though.
	To Storage: This could be a local or long distance move. The only difference is that the destination will be a storage unit of some kind. Some of the long distance movers will also offer storage at their site, which could be useful if the same mover is going to eventually move you from storage. Moving stuff from a truck into a storage unit is faster then moving stuff into a house, so the labor cost will be less for the unload. There should not be any 'unforeseen' charges on the unload either. There will be an extra expense for cushioning (usually paper pads) to protect things in the storage unit (the moving blankets that protected things in the truck will be taken away by the mover or returned to the rental company).
	From Storage: This is usually a local move. [back to top]

Please note that we have broken the storage moves down into 'to' and 'from'. This is because they will be two separate moves, each with its own expenses. If you are moving to LA from SF, but your house will not be ready for a month so you have to put your stuff in storage for that month, you might consider this one move, when it is really two moves. 

Types of movers: There are several different types of movers available. The type you choose will depend on your circumstances (moving distance, amount of money to spend, etc):

	Local/Long Distance: This type is usually a local company that has a franchise from one of the  large national 'Van Line' companies (Mayflower, United, Wheaton, etc). The company can sometimes be quite large because of contracts the national company has gotten with large corporations, government or the military. They usually have trucks of their own and also utilize trucks that are owned by the national company or leased by the national company. On a local move, they will usually use their own trucks, drivers and movers at the start and end of the move. For a long distance move, they will use their own movers to load a truck that is owned or leased by the national company. The driver of the truck is generally the owner of the truck and contracts out to the national company. At the destination, the driver will contact the local franchise and get movers to unload the truck.
	Local: This type is usually a local company that doesn't have a franchise from one of the national companies. They generally own their own trucks and specialize in moves of up to a few hundred miles. Usually the same movers that load your truck will be the same ones that unload your truck.
	Local help you move This type is usually a local company that does not own any trucks. They provide labor for your move and specialize in moves of up to a few hundred miles. Usually the same movers that load your truck will be the same ones that unload your truck. You have to provide the truck for the move, usually a rental truck.
	Yourself: This type is yourself and maybe some friends or casual labor. [back to top]

	Local/Long Distance Pros They have the backing of a national company with a reputation to uphold Normally fully insured with all types of necessary insurance Normally has all of the necessary state licenses Usually keeps good control of a move due to more resources in people, computers, etc than a smaller mover In most cases can offer storage at their site Cons Sometimes a little more expensive than a smaller mover Due to their size, more lead time should be given to scheduling the date of the move Large size of these companies sometimes makes it harder to deal with one person [back to top]
	Local Pros Might be slightly cheaper than the local/long distance mover since they have no franchise fees to pay Normally fully insured with all types of necessary insurance Normally has all of the necessary state licenses Easier to schedule a moving date because of their smaller size Usually you will be dealing with the same people for your entire move  Since they are dealing locally, and you will still be around after the move, they will want to do a good job so as to get good word of mouth Cons Usually do not provide on site storage Sometimes not as good control over a move due to their smaller resources Although usually fully insured, sometimes the insurance is skimpy (insurance for movers is expensive) [back to top]
	Local help you move Pros Labor rate is probably less than other types of movers as they pay no truck costs or franchise fees Moves longer than 6 hours are the best when labor+truck costs are added together. For example, an eight hour move from a traditional mover might cost $640 (80 per hour for truck and two men). The help you move company might charge $60 per hour for two men and the truck will cost about $70. This comes to a total for eight hours of $480 + $70 for a total of $550, slightly less than the traditional mover. It is not unusual that moving a 4 bedroom house could take three men 8 hours.   Easier to schedule a moving date because of their smaller size Usually you will be dealing with the same people for your entire move Since they are dealing locally, and you will still be around after the move, they will want to do a good job so as to get good word of mouth Cons Usually do not provide on site storage Sometimes not as good control over a move due to their smaller resources Since insurance for movers is expensive, their policies might not be as extensive as a larger mover, and they might not have certain types of insurance You have to provide the rental truck Moves less than 6 hours are not as cost effective when labor+truck costs are added together. For example, a three hour move from a traditional mover might cost $240 (80 per hour for truck and two men). The help you move company might charge $60 per hour for two men and the truck will cost about $70. This comes to a total for three hours of $250 (slightly more than the traditional mover). Cost of the rental truck must be factored into the move Probably does not have state licenses. The licenses are for transport of goods which involves driving. As such they are not supposed to be driving the moving truck. This means you have to drive the rental truck. In practice they usually do drive it, however. Note: a movers 'license' has nothing to do with labor, it just allows them to move stuff in a truck. [back to top]
	Yourself Pros This is the MOST cost effective as you eliminate the cost of labor. We recommend it for younger people (20-40 years of age), who do not have a lot of disposable income (if you have a lot of disposable income, get a mover) and cost is a big factor. We are serious about the age of 40 (after 40, moving is TOUGH!). You will be in total control of your stuff and if you are careful, you won't get much damage You are in total control over when, where, what and how This option is a true 'adventure in moving' Cons You still will have the cost of the truck and any cost of beer and pizza for your 'helper' friends. If you can't find any friends to help (they usually find urgent tasks on your moving day), you will probably end up paying for some kind of labor which will not be as skilled as labor from a moving company. You have to rent and drive the rental truck yourself For long distance moves, sometimes the cost of the 'one way' rental truck is more than the cost of a 'local/long distance' movers quote You are not adequately insured You might hurt yourself [back to top]

Insurance: There are a number of types of insurance a mover should have and that you should have if you are moving yourself. Insurance is a complicated subject and the intent here is to give you a very high level overview. Check with your insurance agent or the movers agent for greater details.

	Liability: This is a policy that a mover should have. The policy should cover both accidental damage to your stuff during loading and unloading and have liability coverage and medical coverage. An example of liability would be if the mover broke a plate glass window. An example of medical coverage would be if one of the movers knocked you down and broke your arm.
	Workers Compensation: This covers the employees of the mover if they get hurt on the job. It is required by law for an employer to have it. Most moving companies will have it. If you are moving yourself and you hire some casual labor, you are supposed to have it also. In practice, most people who are moving themselves don't get a temporary policy. Remember though, if you hire casual labor and they get hurt on the job, you will be liable for all of the medical bills, lawsuits, etc.
	Truck: This is like car insurance, but it is specifically for trucks. Most local/long distance and local movers will have it. Either this policy or the liability policy will have some coverage on the stuff being transported. This coverage is usually minimal. Most movers can provide extra insurance for the transported stuff at an extra cost. You should discuss this with your mover. If you are moving yourself and renting a truck, be aware that most regular auto policies (or credit card companies) do not cover rental trucks. We suggest that you purchase the additional insurance that for the truck from the rental truck company.
	Homeowners: This usually will not cover damage or injuries during a move. It might provide some kind of umbrella. You should check with your agent for specifics. [back to top]

 

Decisions: With all of the above in mind you need to make a decision about what to do.

If you decide to use a mover: Talk to your neighbors, friends, etc to see if they have a recommendation. (Don't talk to us, BoxStop.biz does not recommend any specific mover). Talk with at least three different movers on the phone. Make sure the moving companies are adequately insured. If the company is licensed through a state agency, check with the agency to make sure the license is in good standing Check with the Better Business Bureau for any consumer disputes with the moving companies and how they were handled. Visit the companies office and talk with the owner Get quotes from the moving companies you have researched. Don't let yourself be pressured by salesmen from the moving companies. Make your decision based on all of the above.

If you decide to use yourself: Get quotes from rental truck companies. Arrange to get some help. If you will use casual labor, talk to your insurance agent about a temporary workers compensation policy. Talk to your insurance agent about any damage or liability that might occur during the move. [back to top]