Types of Moving Companies – Choose Right Mover for You in 2024

Types of Moving Companies – Choose Right Mover for You in 2024

Moving is a lengthy process and it requires proper planning. And beyond planning what plays a crucial role in the choice of the right moving service. To relocate to a new destination of your preference, you need the assistance of a moving service provider. And here, we discuss the type of moving companies you might require to relocate in 2024. By knowing this, the choice becomes easy and clear.

What are the Types of Moving Companies Available in the Market?

Residential Moving Services

Specialized in moving household items, residential moving services are can help you pack your luggage, load and unload the truck, and can help you set up the new home. Residential movers are the most common form of moving companies and are available in three different types in the market.

  • Local Moving Companies
  • Long Distance Moving Companies
  • International Moving Companies

Local Moving Companies

Local movers usually operate within a 50-100-mile radius. As the name suggests, the state boundaries are not crossed and do not require any specific license or certificate. Local moving is less complicated. It’s common for local movers to charge per hour and we will suggest you hire a moving company specialized in local moves to get more convenient deals. Though it may seem that moving locally is simple, in reality, it can be nerve-wracking. To move locally, you need to have proper planning and professional help can ensure that every stage of moving is a success.

To move locally, a professional mover will charge $300 to $1,500 depending upon the size of the move.

Distance 1 bedroom 2 – 3 bedrooms 4 – 5 bedrooms
<50 miles $240 – $675 $710 – $1,400 $1,100 – $4,900
250 miles $800 – $2,300 $1,400 – $3,950 $2,050 – $4,700
1,000 miles+ $950 – $2,900 $2,100 – $7,800 $4,900 – $8,100
2,500 miles+ $1,300 – $3,800 $3,400 – $7,900 $8,400+

Points to note while hiring a local mover:

  • Is it properly licensed
  • The estimate has no hidden costs
  • How reliable the company is
  • What’s the track record

Long Distance Moving Companies

Long-distance moves are generally interstate moves, but intrastate relocations that exceed 100-mile are also long-distance moves. For long-distance moving, the estimate is calculated based on the total weight of your shipment and the actual distance to your final destination. Hence, it is strongly recommended to cross-check with a minimum of four moving companies to get a proper quote. The more the quotes, it is convenient to get a clear picture.

To move interstate, the mover must have a valid license and a USDOT number from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Without the license, the moving is considered illegal and can be penalized. For the utmost protection of your luggage, hire only an authorized mover.

Factors that determine long-distance cost:

  • The volume of the household items and the distance covered
  • Expenses for extra moving services, such as packing & unpacking, including the materials
  • The choice of additional valuation for your items
  • The cost of moving storage in transit if required
  • Additional costs involved including the absence of an elevator, requirement for shuttle vans, and movement through narrow passageways

International Moving Companies

Moving to a foreign country requires a lot of paperwork and it is a bit complicated. It’s here that an international moving company can help you. Specialized in moving abroad, the company is familiar with various procedures involved and can help accomplish them in a short span, without creating any fuss. 

You will be sending your household items via air or sea and for both international moving companies can be your trusted partner (Shipping by sea is cheaper than shipping by air).

An international moving company can help you in:

  • Documents related to the foreign shipment
  • Insurance-related tasks

Speaking about the moving cost, international moving estimates are based on the volume of the shipment, measured in cubic meters or cubic feet.

The three significant factors that decide the international moving cost are:

  • Shipment volume
  • Transportation mode
  • Destination distance

International moving services do not include the:

  • Charges for storage 
  • Custom duty 
  • Servicing of appliances L
  • Liability coverage 
  • Extra pick up/delivery of personal belongings

Since international moving rates are not regulated, they can be highly competitive.

Factors to Look for in International Moving Companies

  • The mover should be in the business for at least 10 years and should be an
  •  OMNI member (Overseas Movers Network International)
  • It should possess a RIM (Registered International Mover) Certification, which is an AMSA program to ensure professionalism and performance
  • The mover must be a FIDI Member 
  • It should be ISO 9002 Certified

Shipping Vehicles Abroad – Points to Note

Do you want to ship a vehicle abroad? Different restrictions should be aware of. Import restrictions differ from country to country and you need to research the allowances of your destination country.

While shipping your vehicle overseas, note these points: 

Is the cost of vehicle insurance within your range?

  • Are you licensed to drive in the new country?
  • Does your vehicle meet the environmental standards required in that country?
  • Is the cost of shipping your vehicle within your budget?

Before signing a contract with the international moving company, you should:

  • Compare multiple quotes
  • Check the customer back
  • Confirm the exact services offered
  • Crosscheck the track record
  • Ensure it is properly licensed
  • Validate the potential for international moving

Commercial Moving Services

You own a business and require relocating to a new part of the city or a new destination faraway. The best way is to approach a commercial moving service provider, which can promise easy and efficient relocation within a short span.

Why Commercial Moving Company is Important?

Your office might have heavy machinery that requires special handling and only a trained moving company can do that. Apart from that, several minor fittings might also be there. You need to ensure that everything goes smoothly for the proper functioning at the new location. Similarly, an office cannot be closed for a long duration as the business might get impacted. The move should be done on a weekend or within a day to avoid the disruption of the business. Only a trained type of moving service company can ensure this.

Reasons to Approach a Commercial Moving Company

  • Trained professionals to handle machinery
  • Rapid moving including the placement of the new office
  • Proper marking and numbering of boxes in a professional way
  • Installation of computers in an efficient manner

How Are the Moving Costs Determined?

The costs are determined by multiple factors, which include the total weight and volume of the shipment, the complexity of the job, and the specialized services required. Commercial moving can be more expensive than residential moving as it involves a large volume of tasks and a high level of concentration.

Moving Container Companies

A recent concept, moving containers are highly getting popular. For those who are still unfamiliar with the concept, a moving company will send a container to your doorstep which you will fill in at your convenience. Often called PODS, there is no specific deadline to pack in the container. Once packed in, you will inform the mover which will collect the container and deliver it at a particular spot near to our new home. There will be no on-door delivery but you need to collect from a particular spot. And hence the name ‘You Pack They Drive’.

Benefits of You Pack They Drive

  • It is comparatively cheaper than normal moving
  • You don’t need to fill in one day but can do it as per the convenience
  • Call the mover and they will collect it 
  • No hurry in unloading the container 
  • Items are safe and secure till the date you move in

Auto Transportation Moving Companies

Do you have a car that needs to be transported to the other side of the United States? The best way is to assign the task to an auto transportation company. There are several professional movers proficient to move cars of any other automobile. While assigning the task to a company and signing a contract, you need to confirm a few points:

  • Experience
  • Trustworthiness
  • Professionalism
  • Affordability

Once you are confident about the moving company, assign them the task and the vehicle will reach your new home intact.

Before handing over the vehicle to the mover, you need to confirm these points.

  • Tires are fully inflated
  • There are no leaks
  • A car battery is fully charged
  • All papers are perfect

Specialty Moving Companies

Do you have any special item at home that needs to be moved to the new home? Speciality moving companies are proficient to handle unique and special items art pieces, pianos, antiques, and even pets. 

The success of moving is based on the moving company we choose. With proper homework and efficient planning, you can decide on the type of moving service you require and the company that delivers it. Think smart and move safely.

Raj Kalra

A moving industry expert and an internet marketing enthusiast, I have been involved in the moving industry since 2004. Combining my passion towards technology and online marketing with my expertise in the moving industry, I've been focusing on building solutions to make your move easier. From planning to successfully executing your move, my tips and tricks will guide you all along the way. Have any questions for me? Send them to [email protected]