Moving is a big deal, regardless of whether it is across town or across the country. In addition to the physical aspect of packing up and moving all your belongings in the Arizona heat, there is the equally taxing emotional process of selling your home and buying a new one. Many people choose to hire a professional moving company to make the process easier.
In this post we will consider the pros and cons of hiring a professional mover as well as some helpful tips for finding the best professional moving company.
Pros of Hiring a Professional Mover
Minimize Damage—If you are moving yourself, you are bound to end up with cracks, knicks or other damage to furniture or the walls as you try to maneuver your belongings into your new home. This can be avoided with the help of professional movers, who are experts at moving items without dinging walls or scraping floors along the way.
No Heavy Lifting Required—Moving is hard work and can be nearly impossible for those with medical conditions or those who are elderly. By enlisting professional movers who are trained to lift and transport heavy things, you can save the wear and tear on your body and have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are in capable hands.
Skip the Moving Supplies—With professional movers, you can skip the headache of renting a moving vehicle, blankets, a dolly, and other items; they already have everything needed to move your household belongings safely and efficiently. All you have to do is show up at your new home and unpack.
Avoid the Stress—It is never easy to move, and chances are that you are already feeling a little stressed out by the whole process. By handing the task over to a professional moving company, you can rest assured that they will quickly take care of disassembling and safely removing your furniture, heavy boxes, and other items so you can focus on making your new house a home. To ensure that the move goes smoothly, be sure to check out the reviews on Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, and various social media sites to see what their past customers have to say about the moving company’s performance. You can also ask a top Phoenix realtor for recommendations.
Cons to Hiring a Professional Moving Company in Phoenix
Cost—It can be expensive to hire professional movers in Phoenix and surrounding areas. In fact, according to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost for a local move is around $2,300. This includes four movers at a rate of around $200 per hour. Prices are higher for long-distance moves based on the distance and the weight of your items. You can make this more affordable by hiring a professional moving company to move only large items. While there will be more work involved for you when it comes to transporting boxes and smaller items, you can save your furniture (and your back) from possible damage.
Loss of Control—When you decide to hire a professional moving company, you will be giving up some control of the process. For example, you will have to work with their timeframe and will likely have little say regarding how things are loaded into the truck. If you like to control every aspect of the moving process, this may not be the best option for you.
Unscrupulous Movers—As with any other industry, there are some moving companies out there that are scam artists or downright reckless or negligent with your valuable possessions, resulting in damage or missing items. As mentioned above, it is important to check the reputation of the companies you are considering so you don’t become a victim.
Other Moving Options for Arizona Residents
Not sure how much time, money, and muscle you want to invest in your move? Consider weighing these other options against your availability, budget, and preferences:
- DIY Moving: Moving yourself is the most cost-effective option. While you will need to rent all the equipment, it is much less expensive than hiring a mover, and you can move items in your own time.
- Renting a Moving Container: Moving containers like PODS give you the flexibility to pack over time, eliminating some of the stress associated with preparing for a professional mover. You can even rent them monthly, giving you time to pack, purge, and otherwise prepare your current house for its new occupants. When you are done packing, simply have the moving container shipped to your new home for unloading or to a storage facility until the items are needed.
- Full-Service Moving: If packing up for the movers or hauling a household of belongings across town yourself is more than you care to deal with, you can take advantage of a full-service mover. It will cost a pretty penny (actually thousands) but a full-service mover will do everything from packing and unpacking your things, to cleaning your home after it has been cleared and/or cleaning your new home so it is move-in ready, shipping your possessions to the new location, and assembling your furniture. You literally don’t have to lift a finger until you arrive at your new, freshly-cleaned home.
If you live in the Phoenix area and are thinking of moving, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Thomas Osterman. As a top Phoenix metro area realtor, he has a wealth of experience helping clients buy and sell homes in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Paradise Valley areas, and can also provide helpful tips on how to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.
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Are you considering making a move? Partnering with the right local realtor makes all the difference. For a first-class buying or selling experience, call Thomas at (602) 405-4052.
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