5 Ways to Hire Help When Moving to a New Home

Moving soon? Unless you happen to have some very generous (and strong) friends to help you move, you’re going to need to hire help. Otherwise, you could end up with unnecessary anxiety, broken belongings or – worse – injuries! The best way to avoid these moving disasters and the stress that comes with them is to simply hire experienced professionals to help you. From outsourcing moving day labor to hiring on-demand storage, here are 5 ways you can hire outside help when moving to a new home.

1. Hire labor-only movers

   Minding your budget? Opt for labor-only movers instead of full-service. These movers will focus on furniture disassembly, as well as loading and unloading all of your belongings. Given that they’re professionals, you can take comfort in knowing that your household’s worth of items will be in good hands.

   One way to find quality moving day labor is through HireAHelper. This online marketplace helps those moving locate and book moving labor professionals in their area. Movers on HireAHelper are either labor-only moving companies that specialize in load and unload services, or they’re full-service moving companies willing to send workers out on labor-only moving jobs. Users can view up-front pricing and reviews on the website to help with evaluating the options. HireAHelper also provides complimentary mover’s insurance that covers $.60 cents per pound, up to $10K.

   For more information on other moving labor professionals, check here.

2. Hire an on-demand storage service

   Moving is a busy time. Chances are, there won’t be enough hours in the day to also load and transport your belongs to storage. If you live in an urban environment, this task can be especially challenging (think: heavy traffic, elevators and parking issues). So I recommend making your life easier by hiring an on-demand storage service in your area.

   Several companies now offer these “valet-style” storage services, taking the self-storage process to a whole new level. How it works: the on-demand storage service will come to your home, pick up your packed belongings and deliver them to the storage unit for you. These services also let their customers request and schedule a pick-up or return via smartphone or website.

   Several on-demand storage services worth considering include:

   • Clutter – Offers six different storage plans to choose from. Clutter is available in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Orange County, California.
   • Cubiq – Offers cubes individually, or as part of a plan. Cubiq is available in the Greater Boston Area.
   • MakeSpace – Charges customers for the amount of space their items take up. Storage plans and prices vary by city. MakeSpace is available in New York City, DC, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
   • RedBin – Charges customers $5.00 per storage bin monthly. RedBin is available in New York City.
   • Trove – Offers storage for $2.50 per square foot per month. Trove is available in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

3. Hire a moving specialist to move valuable items

   Planning a DIY move? If you have a particularly valuable and/or heavy item in your home, you may need to hire a niche moving company to move that – and only that – belonging. While we’re sure that you and your friends can handle disassembling a bed and carrying a few boxes, we’re not so sure that you can handle moving a piano. Moving a precious instrument that is potentially worth thousands of dollars should be left to the professionals. Fortunately, there are moving companies that focus solely on moving pianos and other niche items.

   The same goes for moving a car before embarking on a long distance move. Unless you’re planning to drive the car yourself, it’s best to hand over the keys to a professional auto transporter (and not a friend). These auto transporter specialists focus on shipping cars around the country. Most car shipping companies ship vehicles via an open-air carrier. However, there are many companies that will ship via an enclosed car carrier as well. Before hiring an auto transporter, make sure to check whether the company is licensed and insured. You can check all reviews online, as well as credentials on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Customers can also double-check whether the auto transport is licensed or not by looking up the company’s U.S. DOT number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Get free auto transport quotes on Jaxmov.com.

4. Hire a professional organizer or Senior Move Managers®

   If moving is particularly stressful for you or a loved one, I strongly recommend hiring a professional organizer to help lift the burden of a relocation. Those with overflowing closets (in need of making some serious donations) will be especially helped by a professional organizer before and after a move. If you’re planning to downsize, a professional organizer will be able to help you prioritize and organize all belongings before packing. To find a professional organizer in your area, check either the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals or a local review site, such as Angie’s List to find reviews of organizers near you.

   In the case of a senior citizen, where a house may be filled to the brim with many years’ worth of belongings, hiring a Senior Move Manager® can help minimize the chaos of a complicated move. For reference, Senior Move Managers® are members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) and specialize in moving issues affecting older adults. Unlike a regular moving company, Senior Move Managers® offer a more holistic approach to the moving process, assisting with all aspects of the relocation.

5. Hire a professional moving company

   Of course, you can always hire a professional moving company to handle your entire move from beginning to end. Movers can do as little or as much as you like, including packing boxes, assembling and disassembling furniture, transporting belongings, and unloading items. If you’re looking for the least stressful way to move, this is it. Fortunately, there are plenty of professional moving companies that can handle the task for you. To find the best moving company to move your belongings, check Jaxmov’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!