Moving is one of the most stressful life events you can go through, and adding another state into the mix just makes it worse. How are you supposed to move all your furniture (much less your personal belongings) all the way across the country?
It all comes down to finding the right help.
We've put together this guide to show you why you shouldn't try moving on your own and how to find the best long-distance moving company in Charleston, SC.
Let's get started!
Why You Should Never Try Moving Furniture Across the Country By Yourself
You might think DIYing your cross-country moving work will help you save a lot of money. Since you just spend most of your savings on a new house, this can seem like an attractive option.
For most people, though, it's not.
Packing and moving furniture is an incredibly difficult job. Here are a few reasons you should never attempt to do this task by yourself.
You Might Not Have the Right Tools
You might be able to pick up a small bookcase or TV console, but many other types of furniture can weigh hundreds of pounds.
You'll need to have a lot of moving tools on hand to transport this furniture without hurting yourself, including things like:
Moving straps
Dolly
Furniture sliders
Basic household tools (such as a screwdriver or hammer)
Packing supplies (such as tape, bubble wrap, etc.)
Before you can move the furniture anywhere, you might have to take it apart (this is where household tools come into play). A bed frame takes up much less space in the moving truck if it's in smaller pieces.
This means you have to know how to take the furniture apart and then remember how to put them back together. If you don't know what you're doing, it's easy to lose pieces and damage parts of it.
Some furniture might require special packaging as well. You might have to put tape over glass display case doors or wrap plastic wrap around delicate wood.
This means you'll have to buy even more supplies, which can offset any money you would have saved on the movers.
You'll Risk Hurting Yourself
Since furniture is so heavy, even a small accident can lead to a major injury.
Dropping the side of a couch on your foot can end up breaking your bones, and managing your move on crutches will slow down the entire process. Trying to lift a piece of furniture into the moving truck can leave you with a host of back problems that can take years to fully recover from.
Putting your safety at risk simply isn't worth the money you might save. (Besides, a trip to the hospital will cost more than hiring a long-distance moving company anyway.)
You Can't Do It Yourself
You simply can't move all your furniture on your own. Even if you want to DIY, you'll have to call some friends or family over to help, which can lead to scheduling issues and put a delay in your plan.
How to Find the Best Long-Distance Moving Company in Charleston, SC
Hiring reliable movers is the best way to transport your furniture when moving to another state. They'll make the job much faster (depending on the size of your house, they may be able to finish everything in a day or two), and you won't have to do any of the hard work yourself.
A professional moving team will also:
Save you money in the long run (no need to buy a bunch of your own supplies)
Prevent your furniture from getting damaged during the trip
Free up your time to focus on more important aspects of the move (such as preparing the kids)
Be able to unpack the furniture for you when you arrive at your new home
To make sure you get a high-quality moving team, follow the tips below before you hire anyone.
Licensing and Insurance
Always ask for proof of licensing and insurance. Otherwise, you might be held liable for accidents that happen on your property, or you could end up losing your belongings with no compensation. If a company refuses to show you these documents, take your business somewhere else.
References
References will give you an inside view of how the company has handled other cross-country moving jobs in the past. It will give you a more detailed look at their experience, how they operate, and what you can expect during the move. Reading reviews from a third-party website, such as Yelp, is also a good idea.
Schedule
Make sure the company is available to work during the time of your move. It's better to book a moving team a few months in advance (especially if you plan to move during the summer) so you don't get stuck on your own.
Quote
Ask the moving company for a quote and get it in writing. This will let you know exactly what you will be paying and what that money will give you so you aren't hit with any surprise fees later.
Remember, cheap movers aren't always the best choice. You get what you pay for, so it's better to invest a bit of extra money into a company you know you can trust.
Hiring Dependable Movers for Your Long-Distance Moving Job
Are you looking for the best long-distance moving company in Charleston, SC? Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team at Smooth Move! We'll take the stress out of your move by handling all the hard work ourselves so you can focus on getting settled in your new home.