Chances are if you’re relocating you’ll want to hire residential moving services to help you with the move. The problem is, there are so many companies to choose from and they’re certainly not all equal. 

In this guide, we want to explain the advantages of using a tool like Agoyu to help you find only the best and most qualified household movers in your area. 

5 Steps of Home Moving

The residential moving company that you choose is responsible for a lot of your moving needs, such as providing you with cost estimation and explaining your moving service options. Your moving company does more than just loading, unloading, and driving a moving truck. They do more than you might realize to ensure your belongings safely make it from start to finish. 

1. Prepare 

Your professional movers will explain their residential moving services to you so you have a good understanding of how the process works. Your movers will provide you with a cost estimate and then will take note of everything in your home. This will allow them to inform you ahead of time if there are any items they cannot move and let you know if any of your items have special requirements. 

2. Take Inventory

Your residential moving driver will have a comprehensive Inventory and Condition Report of all the items you are moving. Your professional movers will mark down if any items that are being moved have any damage, to provide proof that they did not cause the damage. When your movers are preparing inventory, you should accompany them so you can voice any concerns you might have regarding the handling of your furniture and belongings.

Using a moving app for moving furniture like Agoyu can help you be in charge of your move. Agoyu allows you to calculate the weight of your furniture, which will be helpful when comparing the prices of professional movers. You will be able to see customer reviews, compare prices, and contact a professional mover for free.

When your movers complete their inventory, you will be asked to sign the inventory. You will need to sign the inventory to acknowledge that you understand the condition of your furniture before the move. You and your driver will both have a copy of this report.

Besides having to sign an Inventory and Condition Report, you will also be asked to sign a bill of lading. This contract authorizes your moving company to transport your belongings and that you agree to pay for their services. The bill of lading confirms your moving services, the schedule of pick up and delivery, and whether or not you chose a protection plan. 

3. Packing 

Your residential moving services driver offers more services than driving the moving truck and moving your boxes. Your professional movers will ensure that your belongings are covered as a form of protection. Sometimes knowing what to pack first is one of the most difficult parts of the moving process. Your movers will be able to help pack your belongings and wrap anything that is fragile in packing paper. 

Depending on which moving company you choose, your professional movers might even label your boxes for you if you haven’t already done so. They will ensure your boxes are carefully loaded onto the truck and safely delivered to your destination. 

4. Delivery 

If you are moving a long distance, like moving to Texas from Florida, it is essential to contact your moving company as soon as you arrive in your new home. This will allow your professional movers to confirm your delivery arrangements. When your belongings arrive, give your movers a copy of the floor plan you have in mind. 

If you do not have a floor plan set up, just let your professional movers know where you would like everything. Your overs will reassemble your furniture when it is brought in. If anything seems damaged or in a different condition from before the move, let your movers know as soon as possible. 

5. Unpacking 

If you choose an unpacking service through your professional movers, your movers will assist in unpacking your boxes after delivery. This might be especially helpful if you have a cross country move and are exhausted from the move. Your movers will remove any moving supplies or packing materials. If you choose to unpack yourself, it will be your responsibility to discard any empty moving boxes, packing materials, and moving supplies.

Choosing the Best Residential Moving Services 

There are many factors that go into choosing a moving company to help you with your residential move.

Reputation

Moving companies with many years of residential moving services goes a long way in customer satisfaction. Moving companies with great reputations will ensure you have a good moving experience and that your belongings are safely packed, transported, and delivered.

Reviews

Before choosing a professional mover, check out their online reviews. Reviews often state former customers’ opinions of a particular moving company, which will be helpful when deciding which company to choose for your move.

Experience

Professional movers with many years of experience are likely to make your move a smooth one. Moving your belongings is something experienced movers take seriously. Choosing an experienced moving company will help set you up to have an easy going move.

Services Offered

You should be aware of the services different moving companies offer before choosing your movers. If you want help with unpacking, for example, be sure to choose a professional moving company who offers unpacking services. Not every moving company offers the same services.

Cost

The cost of different residential moving services vary. The cost will greatly depend on what services you are opting for with your move, how large of a move you have, and what your movers will be packing and unpacking. 

One of the best moving apps, Agoyu, can help you find professional movers within your price range. This will make choosing a residential mover a lot simpler.

Final Thoughts

When all is said and done, hiring the right residential moving services can make or break your move. Literally. 

With Agoyu, you’re able to quickly and easily get a quote online from local moving companies in your area. These companies are pre-vetted, experienced, and licensed. Give Agoyu a try today and see the difference!

If you’re planning a move; whether it’s across town or across the country, you will need the best moving company to help you. Choosing between the various options is difficult and each company will try and convince you that they’re the best. 

Go through the reviews below of each company and decide which is the best option for you based on the services they provide. 

Best Moving Companies: Top Picks

Since moving is so stressful, we put together a list of the best rated moving companies to help you with your move, while meeting your budget and needs. Our ratings explain what type of move these companies assist with, their pros and cons, if they offer moving quotes, and an explanation of why we chose them.

International Van Lines 

Best Overall

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Has a generous cancellation period of at least 48 hours prior to scheduled move with a full refund of your deposit
• Rated the Best in Customer Service awards in 2021
• Offer one month of free storage 
• Offer interstate, local, and international moving.

Cons:

• There is no container moving service 
• A deposit is required in order to schedule your move.

Why We Chose Them

Our top choice for an international mover is International Van Lines. Newsweek rated International Van Lines as best in customer service in 2021, and it is easy to understand why. 

They offer full service packing, shipment tracking, transportation of your vehicles, moving supplies, many insurance options, and online quotes. To reserve a date for your move, you will need to put a 25 percent deposit down. If you need to cancel your move for some reason, you have the ability to do so up until 48 hours before your scheduled move. 

United Van Lines

Best Full-Service

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros: 

• Online tracking
• Good insurance options 
• Great cancellation policy
• Popular for corporate moving

Cons: 

• Pricey
• No container service

Why We Chose Them

United Van Lines is a highly recognized name when it comes to moving, mostly because this moving company has been around since the beginning of the 1920s and is one of the best moving companies. They are widely known for their corporate relocation services with custom packages laid out for each company and their packages explain their extensive insurance options.

As an established moving company, United Van Lines charges more than others because of its experience and expertise. If you are expecting help planning your move, be prepared to pay an additional fee as it is not included in their original pricing. 

Their website is easy to use and features how to track your shipment on the first page. The main reason we like United Van Lines is because of their free cancellation policy which is valid right up until services begin, and there is no deposit required.

American Van Lines 

Most Reputable Name

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros: 

• Great at moving delicate items and antiques
• Honest customer reviews
• Good for corporate moving.

Cons: 

• Do not offer container moving
• A deposit is necessary to schedule your move 
• Restrictive cancellation policy.
  

Why We Chose Them

American Van Lines are known best for being corporate relocation experts. In addition to being great at corporate moving, American Van Lines is great for military moves as they understand the timelines can be strict and they will efficiently execute your military move in a short amount of time. They offer upfront pricing, full-service packing, the ability to receive an online quote, shipping of your vehicles, and moving supplies. 

To schedule your move, you will need to put a deposit down. Their cancelation policy is not the best, as you only have three days after you sign the contract to cancel for free. If you cancel after three days, it will not be free cancellation. 

Allied Van Lines 

Best for Moving Vehicles

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Offers container moving service
• Has a generous cancelation policy
• Offers great insurance options

Cons:

• The price of local moving can be expensive depending on your budget

Why We Chose Them

Allied Van Lines has a multitude of factors that makes them one of the best moving companies. We love that they have excellent customer reviews, and offers container moving services. Allied Van Lines has excellent insurance coverage options, is one of the most trusted interstate moving companies, and has a great cancellation policy. Their cancelation policy allows you to cancel free of charge as long as the movers have not started yet. 

You do not need to put down a deposit to reserve your move, and they offer full service packing, moving supplies, moving quotes, tracking of your belongings, and vehicle shipping. Allied Van Lines has experienced drivers to help with the moving of your vehicle, and will ensure it gets from point A to point B safely.

Safeway Moving Systems

Best Carrier

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Great for those moving to a condo or HOA
• Every move includes packing services
• All moves include 30 days of free storage

Cons:

• Communication can be difficult since you will not be able to contact your moving carrier until close to your move
• There is no information about online pricing

Why We Chose Them

Safeway Moving Systems, a company based out of Chicago, is our favorite choice for best moving broker. Safeway connects you to the actual moving carriers that will perform your move, and gives you access to a large network of nationwide movers. Since Safeway just connects you to your actual movers, you will not be in direct contact with your movers until later in the moving process. 

Safeway is one of the best moving companies for those who are moving to a place with a HOA or condo. The moving companies that Safeway partners with have additional required licenses and insurance certificates. Many HOAs and condo associations require movers to hold $1,000,000 in liability insurance, as opposed to standard moving companies who usually carry $750,000 of liability insurance. 

Safeway is authorized by the United States government to broker both long distance and local moves in all 50 states. Safeway Moving Systems offers a variety of services, like packing and unpacking, storage solutions, and pad and shrink wrapping. You will have to pay a deposit to Safeway on the day of your move.

Mayflower

Best for Large Moves

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Offers digital checklists
• No deposit is required
• Great for large moves
• Can do debris removal

Cons:

• Can be expensive depending on your budget
• No container moving service

Why We Chose Them

Mayflower has over 90 years of experience in the moving industry, and is one of the best moving companies used for large moves. We like that Mayflower does not require you to put down a deposit to book a move, and has a portal you can log in to help keep track of your moving process. 

With the MyMayflower portal, you can create a digital moving checklist, check the status of your move, and have your moving contacts saved. Mayflower handles a multitude of moving services, usually cross-country and international moves. However, they also can provide moving services within your state and do provide local moving services through independent agents. 

Mayflower can move your vehicle no matter what the distance, and is available through a network of 200 agencies affiliated with Mayflower across the country. Keep in mind that Mayflower can seem expensive, but this is because they typically do large moves which require a lot of effort on their part. 

If you are moving internationally, Mayflower can assist with your move in more than 150 countries and is one of the greatest long-distance moving companies.

Atlas Van Lines

Best for Custom Moving Services

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Website is helpful
• Great customer reviews
• No deposit is required
  

Cons:

• No container moving services
• Restrictive cancellation policy
  

Why We Chose Them

Atlas Van Lines is great for custom moving services because they make your move simple, whether it is a local move, international move, or cross country move. Their website is helpful because it provides tools to help with organization, can provide information on tracking, and offers upfront quotes when requested. 

Atlas Van Lines offers storage, will move your vehicles, offers full service packing options, and good insurance options. You do not need to put down a deposit when scheduling your move, but they do have a restrictive cancellation policy. Atlas will allow you to cancel for free, but only within three days of signing your contract.

North American Van Lines

Best for Warranty and Claims

• Local Moving? Yes
• Interstate Moving? Yes
• International Moving? Yes

Pros:

• Offers 24 hour customer service
• Container moving is available
• Great for commercial and corporate relocation
• Great for warranty and claims

Cons:

• Restrictive cancelation policy
• Few insurance options
• Can be expensive

Why We Chose Them

We chose North American Van Lines as one of the best moving companies because they have a few features that stand out. They have a container moving option, called Blue Express, that separates them from a lot of competitors since many do not offer container moving services. 

They have a 24-hour customer service line with over 500 agents that will happily take your call whenever you need assistance. Their customer service line is what makes the best for warranty and claims. 

North American Van Lines offers full packing services, online quotes, moving supplies, shipment of your vehicles, and shipment tracking. However, the cost of moving tends to be expensive for smaller moves. A short distance move for a one-bedroom home can cost you as much as $3,100, which is why we recommend them for commercial and corporate relocation.

How to Choose the Best Moving Company 

When searching for the best moving companies, you should take the extra time to look into their reviews. Customer reviews are helpful because they will give you some insight on what others have been through with the company and their personal experience. Search the moving company’s website for a free quote, so you have an understanding of how much your move will cost.

Do not settle for the first estimate you receive when choosing a moving company. Take your time and research it a bit just to be sure you are happy with the price. If you are planning to move a mobile home, be sure your moving company has a good insurance policy and that your movers are licensed and insured, and are willing to accommodate your needs. 

How Much Does a Moving Company Cost

The best moving companies can cost a variety of different prices depending on how large your move is and where you are moving to. For example, if you are a family of four moving from Florida to Texas, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. 

On average, the cost of a moving company can range anywhere from $800 to $5,700 based on the size of your move. To find a moving company within your budget, check out the Agoyu moving app so you can compare the prices of different movers near you.

Final Tips for Moving

These tips for moving will help make your move more simple.

• Have a set budget
• Create a moving checklist
• Start packing early
• Invest in quality boxes for moving
• Label your boxes
• Pack your dishes and glasses using bubble wrap or packing paper
• Know the pros and cons of hiring professional moving companies

Most importantly, make sure you hire only the most qualified and reputable moving company. If you’re planning a corporate or business move, ARC Relocation can help you relocate your business and your employees. 

Remember that you’re in the driver’s seat when you hire a moving company so study up and choose wisely! 

Hiring a professional mover is a great way to simplify your moving process. With online marketplaces like Craigslist open 24 hours a day, finding good movers at affordable prices has never been easier.

If you are looking for a reliable moving company at a great deal, chances are you might find a great deal from Craigslist. But there are some downsides involved with the process as well. 

Should I consider Craigslist movers? You can, as long as you are ready to accept the potential risks. In order to avoid complications that can make the process of moving even more stressful, it is best to stay alert and take the right steps while choosing.

Advantages of Craigslist Movers

When you have a busy schedule and need a quick solution for handling the moving, Craigslist looks like a great choice. In fact, it is one of the most popular digital marketplaces in the United States that offers you plenty of options.

So here are some of the main advantages of picking a mover from Craigslist

• Picking a mover is very convenient with Craigslist. Selections can easily be done with a few clicks and you can access the service anytime. You can easily contact the business and discuss the details. In fact, the whole process is super quick and can be arranged within a few minutes. Also, you can find movers located near specific cities and metro areas through the site.
• If you need to move at a short notice or require some last-minute help with your moving, checking the Craigslist movers for hire is a great place to look for support.
• Craigslist also offers plenty of affordable options. There are smaller businesses on Craigslist that offer their services at a much cheaper rate than the big moving companies. Besides, there is always the possibility of negotiating. However, we would not recommend compromising the quality of service while looking for affordable rates.
• By choosing a service from Craigslist, you are helping out the individuals who are looking to supplement their incomes. These include students and other unemployed individuals.

Disadvantages of Craigslist Movers 

Now, not everything about Craigslist is smooth and simple. There are plenty of snags and risks associated when you pick a Craigslist moving service.

Let us take a look at the major disadvantages associated with Craigslist movers.

• Anyone can place an ad in Craigslist and there is no user rating of the businesses. That means you can never be sure if a Craigslist mover has the necessary licenses, insurance, or experience to handle your move in the right manner. You need to trust a moving company before placing your precious possessions or sensitive equipment under their care. The fact is, trusting a stranger from Craigslist can be risky.
• Another big concern is Craigslist movers can be unreliable and unprofessional. They may not show up on time and lack the skills needed for handling fragile items. Some may not have special equipment necessary for handling your items, leading to damage or injuries.
• While not all sellers on Craigslist are dishonest, there are plenty of frauds and scam artists posting ads to rip off the unsuspecting users. They may even use fake addresses and credentials to pose as legitimate businesses. Moreover, Craigslist does not offer any form of consumer protection. Nor will it take any responsibility in case of any fraud or deception from the advertisers.
• Researching the advertisers and ascertaining their reliability is not easy on Craigslist. In many cases, they are individuals who are working part-time to help with your move. This form of invisibility makes it risky to trust the ads on Craigslist.

What to Check When Hiring Craigslist Movers?

Considering the risks involved with picking a Craigslist hauling service, there are some precautions that you need to take. 

• Make sure that the Craigslist moving company you pick has insurance to cover any damage to your goods during transit. It is best to go for Full Value protection. Additional Released Value protection can also be opted for.
• Any professional moving company dealing with interstate commerce should have a USDOT number. Before selecting any random Craigslist truck rental service, make sure they have this number. If they do not, the company is not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. That means it is not legally capable of providing interstate moving services. 
• In case the ad mentions a website, go through it to check for all the relevant data. Any reputable business will have a significant online presence. That means it will need a well-designed website that lists all the necessary details.
• Check for any positive reviews about the business. Checking it on the Better Business Bureau site can be a good way to start. Also, use platforms like Google and Yelp for collecting any available data.
• Try to arrange a meeting with the mover to sit face to face and go through the details and the estimates. Avoid finalizing a deal over the phone. The unwillingness of a Craigslist mover to meet you in person can be a potential red flag.
• Shop around for movers who are willing to put all the estimates on paper and not communicate only through emails. A company that is not hesitant about leaving a paper trail is a reliable one.

How to Avoid Being Scammed?

While using Craigslist, you need to stay one step ahead of the scammers. That means staying alert and keeping your money protected.

Here are a few steps you need to take to steer clear of scammers on Craigslist.

• It is always best to deal with local moving companies posting on Craigslist. That way, you will be able to verify the reliability of the business and also have a better chance to seek out any references. 
• Do not share financial or personal information with any Craigslist moving company or send any up-front deposit. Reliable moving services will not ask for advance payment before the services are offered. Any tips for the movers should not be paid in advance either. In case any company is asking too many personal questions, back out of the deal.
• While seeking affordable rates, be wary of prices that are too good to be true. Chances are, there will be unexpected fees and charges down the line. That is why it is important to get a clearly written estimate that adds up everything and mentions a total cost. You can take the help of the top moving apps to compare estimates. 
• Always take a closer look at the estimates and contracts to prevent any surprises or hidden charges. Being thorough at the early stage of the contract will prevent headaches in the later stages.

Why You Should Avoid Craigslist Moving Services

While Craigslist makes it easy to find movers, it is not the only option out there. There are too many businesses posting ads on Craigslist that do not have the necessary accountability and expertise. Such movers are only interested in the money and not in the quality of service that they provide. 

Quite simply, you need the assistance of professionals to make the process of moving hassle-free. Hiring amateurs from Craigslist can complicate the process for you.

Final Thoughts 

Time to take a final look at the question- should I consider Craigslist movers? 

If you are ready to do the necessary background research and take the right steps to avert any risks, you can use Craigslist movers for hire. However, if you want peace of mind during the move, picking a reliable and reputed moving company is the best option.

Instead of risking it all on Craigslist, give the free Agoyu moving app a try. You can enter all the information about your move and Agoyu will connect you with the best and most affordable moving companies in your area. 

Relocating your business is time-consuming and stressful. It’s stressful for employees and customers. To help ease the stress of moving, you should develop a relocation plan for your business. When your employees know they are relocating strategically, their stress levels will lower.

Let’s get started creating your business relocation plan!

1. Determine a New Location

The first step in your business relocation strategy should be to determine the place to which you are relocating. You should consider the well-being of your employees, opportunity for growth, relocation expenses, and many other factors when choosing a new location for your business.

Physically visit each potential new location to come up with a pro vs. cons list for each site. Compare the lists against each other and choose the best fit for your company.

After you have determined the new location, it’s time to clear a few things up.

2. List the Reasons Why You Plan to Relocate

Your company’s unique needs will determine your reasons for relocation. When you list the specific reasons for relocating out on paper, it will allow you to focus on the best solutions for your situation. The size of your company and the risk associated with relocation are two reasons to consider.

Possible Reasons Why Your Company Plans to Move

• In search of lower taxes
• In search of a larger, more diverse workforce
• Your company is growing and needs more space
• Your lease has expired
• A downturn in the economy is forcing you to downsize
• Move closer to your target customer
• Move for the sake of your employees well being and mental health
• Lower cost of operations
• Ect.

No matter your reasons for moving, having your reasons neatly listed will aid you in knowing what you need to add to the budget and what you can leave out.

3. Create a Budget

Create a relocation budget, just as you do for everything else in your business. Be as detailed as possible and leave room for unexpected expenses. Consider how hiring a relocation company, such as ARC, can save you time and money.

Creating a budget gives you the freedom to make quick decisions that will benefit your company short term and on into the future.

Does Your Budget Include

• Employee relocation costs for each employee
• Office furniture moving costs or new office furniture
• Relocating equipment or tools (if necessary)
• Office computer and telecomm moving costs or new office equipment
• Moving company
• The new office building (might be in a separate budget)
• Miscellaneous expenses

Creating the budget is only a step in the process. You must keep track of your expenses and follow the budget for it to work effectively. The funding can quickly get blown if you fail to manage your time correctly.

4. Create a Timeline

Now that you have a budget, you can create the timeline for the relocation. When will this move take place? How long will each step take? How long will the entire relocation process last? Be as detailed as possible when creating your timeline. Setting milestones to help track where you are currently in the process ensures everyone stays on track. If helpful, create an office relocation checklist to make everything clearer.

Don’t forget to allow for unexpected delays! You might have to adjust the timeline as you encounter a delay.

Share your timeline with your employees, vendors, and customers, so they are not surprised by any delays on your end.

Logistics, Logistics, Logistics

Determine how you will move office supplies and when you will move them. You might be able to go without some supplies and furniture longer than others, so be sure to keep that in mind as you figure out the logistics of everything for the move.

Organizing the entirety of the relocation process is a stressful event, especially when this is your first time going through the process. It might be worth the investment to hand over the process to a company that regularly handles relocation logistics.

5. Ease Your Employees Minds

You can relieve your employees’ stress by answering their questions and being clear on when, why, and how you are moving. They don’t have to know every detail, but making them aware of the general situation will help keep rumors to a minimum and your employees on board with the relocation. You might find out they have strengths that can contribute beneficially towards the move. Under communicating is far more stressful on a team than over-communicating.

If you are moving multiple employees or an individual employee, you need to consider several factors. We created the complete Employee Relocation Guide to help ease your burden!

6. Give Vendors a Heads Up

Now is the time to renegotiate contracts with vendors and let them know you will be changing locations. Vendors such as food and beverage vending, internet, phone, copier, and cleaning services need to be notified reasonably in advance about the company’s plan to relocate.

Having the vendors set up before your company moving into the new space means less downtime as you are settling into your new location. This should be a matter of letting vendors know your relocation timeline.

7. Bring Your Relocation Plan Together

You can now centralize the separate parts of the business relocation strategies you have created in an easy to read shareable format. The best practice is to make it accessible to everyone involved in the relocation. When everyone has the access they need to the relocation plan, it ensures they can be held responsible for their part during the move.

You create less confusion with more precise communication by having the plan in one centralized document. If your employees have any questions about the move, then you can direct them to the document where you should have answered all of their questions.

Whether their questions are about relocation tax implications, logistic questions, vendor questions, timeline questions, or anything else, this document can help to make everything clear.

8. Execute Your Business Relocation Plan

Move week is here! It’s now time to execute your relocation plan. The hard work of organizing is over. You now get to see how well your strategy comes together. Keep in mind everything is not going to go perfectly according to plan.

This period of transition is stressful, so be flexible and offer grace to everyone involved.

Delegation is the Key to a Successful Relocation

Whether you delegate to capable members of your team or a specialized relocation company, your relocation will be more successful working as a team instead of individuals. That is why having a well-communicated plan is critical. Everyone can know their roles and work as a team.

Don’t put the stress of moving your business all on one person’s shoulders; that that includes yourself!

Final Considerations

If relocating your business is overwhelming, don’t hesitate to schedule a free call with us today! We can walk you through your options and give you a customized quote, no matter the size of your business!

We have helped transfer over 75,000 people to over 220 countries and provinces. Let us help you today!