Moving is one of the most expensive and stressful things a family does. A little planning, and a lot of phone calls, can take much of the sting out of both.
Start with a list
Before you call anyone, make a list of what has to move: how many rooms, any big or heavy pieces like a china hutch, and any cars, trailers or boats. That list tells you what kind of help you really need.
Pick the kind of move
From least to most expensive, your options are:
- Moving yourself in your own pickup or trailer
- Renting a moving truck and doing it yourself
- Hiring a small crew with a truck
- Hiring a national moving company
You don't need a big national mover if everything fits in the back of a pickup. Weigh how much you own against how far you're going.
Decide how much you'll pack
Packing is a big part of what movers charge. Doing it yourself saves real money, but only if you finish on time. The book is firm about this: "If you make the commitment, you have got to keep it, no matter what."
The worst case is agreeing to pack and then not being ready when the truck pulls up.
Get bids from everyone
If you're hiring a mover, call every company you can find, not just two or three. You're hoping to find the company that really wants the work, or the big firm that makes a mistake in your favor.
The spread can be enormous. When Frank moved his family from Dallas in 2005, his bids for the same move ran from $12,000 to $36,000. The low bid came from a company that was short on work and needed to make payroll. The high bid came from a national firm used to corporate relocations, complete with perks and a glossy brochure. Prices have changed since then, but the lesson hasn't.
Negotiate twice
Once you have written bids, pick your top five. Call each one, tell them they're a finalist, and ask them to come down on price. Some may lower their bid right away.
A few days later, call them back. Tell them they're still a bit high but you'd like to work with them, and ask for one last, best price. It worked for Frank: his final bid dropped another $2,000.
Check the mover and the coverage
For a move across state lines, make sure the mover is registered with the federal government. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move site lets you check a mover's registration and explains your rights. This step isn't from the book, but it's a smart one today.
Then talk with your own insurance agent, not just the moving company, about coverage. Accidents happen, and you want to know what's protected before anything goes on the truck.
On moving day
In the weeks before the move, call the mover every few days to make sure they'll show up on schedule. If you're packing, check that you're on pace too.
When the crew arrives, stay close and offer helpful suggestions. The foreman probably has experience, but some of the crew may not. The more you care about your things, the more carefully they tend to be handled.
Some things shouldn't go on the truck at all. As the book says, "Anything that absolutely cannot be broken, like a family lamp, you should move yourself in your own car."
When to move
If you have kids, the best times are summer break and Christmas break. Frank prefers Christmas, for three reasons:
- Kids get about half a school year to make friends before summer.
- People are especially friendly during the holidays, so you meet your new neighbors at their best.
- It isn't hot, and moving is sweaty work.
If you're moving into snow country, leave some room in the schedule for weather.
If you move in summer, sign the kids up for lessons right away, such as swimming, sports, art or drama. They'll meet other kids and have something fun to do while you unpack. Nothing is harder on a child than a new town with no friends and nothing to do.
Without kids, the timing is up to you. You may save money by staying away from the summer rush (ask your mover), and you'll be more comfortable in a season when the weather is cool and dry.
After the truck leaves
Once you're in, the next few weeks set the tone for everything that follows. The settling in guide covers how to get the family out exploring and making friends, instead of living among the boxes.
The free book has Frank and Dave's full chapters on finding a mover and timing the move.
Your checklist
- Make a list of every room, large piece of furniture and vehicle that needs to move
- Decide how much of the packing you will do yourself, then stick to it
- Get written bids from every mover you can find
- Narrow the list to five, ask each for a lower price, then ask once more
- Check your coverage with your own insurance agent
- Move heirlooms and anything irreplaceable in your own car
- Pick a moving date around a school break if you have kids