Baltimore Movers and Packers

Finding the right moving and packing company to support you in your move around or out of Baltimore heralds the start of your next big adventure—a move! Hauling to a new house is exciting, and maybe stressful too. But with the best Baltimore moving company partner, the excitement wins, and the stress disappears. Since you have decided to use a mover to make the transition more comfortable, you want to find the best one for your needs.

How do I find the best mover and packer?

Choosing the right shifting and packing company for your relocation will be easier if you have a definite move plan. Here are some of the variables to consider when you are planning the project:

How much time do you have before the move? Many people prefer to move during the summer months. This is partly due to school being out of session, making the transition easier for children involved. It's also easier to move in warm weather since snow and sleet make loading, unloading, and driving that much harder. If you are planning to move in the peak season of summer, try to schedule in advance.
Are you relocating from one residence to another, or is there a temporary stop? If you have a gap between leaving the former home and being able to move into the new one, you may have a stay in temporary housing and a need for short-term storage. This need is sometimes called storage-in-transit, and it's something to discuss with company vendors when you are getting estimates.
Are you moving from a large to a small home? If you are downsizing, there are some things to think about. Will your current furniture fit in the new house? Does it make sense to move some or all of it, or should you start over? If you are leaving Baltimore for a different area, perhaps you won't need some of the same items that you have now. If you are reducing the number of bedrooms or storage, plan to decrease the number of things that you move, so you don't end up deciding later that shifting them was a
Do you plan to keep the same decorating themes? Like the size question, if your new home is an entirely different style, you may decide not to relocate some of the current furnishings. It's wise to make those determinations before you move excess items.
Is everyone in the current residence moving together? Perhaps some family members are going one way, while others are staying put or going elsewhere. Make a plan for the most efficient way to organize the separation of belongings and schedule the relocating times.
Is budget a concern? If you are trying to save money on the move, you may want to handle the packing yourself. It's the best way to reduce the cost of relocation, and it is useful for cutting down on the overall weight of the shipment. If you have time to sort through your closets and storage with a discerning eye, you may be able to make a significant dent in how much you have to move. You can donate unneeded items to a charity, give them away, or sell them and make some extra cash.
On the other hand, if you have the funds available, engaging the shifting company to manage the packing is a great way to make the move process more pleasant. Movers are expert packers, so you will have well-organized, clearly labeled containers when you get to your destination. The movers won’t be picky about what they pack, though; they will pack everything, including junk. If you want to do any decluttering or downsizing, you have to do it first.
How far are you going? If you are driving to the new home, you can plan to take some things with you. If your destination is a flight away, hauling becomes a bit more detailed. There are some things that you can't send in a relocating truck and some things you want to maintain control of. If you have irreplaceable sentimental items, you should arrange to keep these with you, no matter how you are traveling. The same is true of essential records, including medical and financial documents. It would be best if you also kept control over medicine, jewelry, cash, identification, and anything else that is too precious to risk losing.
Do you have pets and children to move? Moving with pets or children adds a layer of complexity. If you have young children, one good approach is to make the move an adventure. Talk to them about the plans as soon as possible and include them in the process. If the move is long-distance, it’s a great idea to take the kids on a pre-move visit to the new house, so they have a picture of it in their heads before the first day. You can ease the transition by letting them choose their new paint color or decorating in their old room scheme. Dogs and cats will need special carriers for the trip and time to acclimate to the new home and neighborhood.

How much do movers and packers cost?

Moving companies charge for their service by weight if the move is long-distance, or by the hour for a local move. The best way to find out how much your move will cost is to obtain several estimates. Most moving industry experts recommend that you get three. Besides figuring out the cost, getting estimates is an excellent way to get to know the potential moving company. That helps you decide if you are comfortable with them taking responsibility for your most important possessions. The mover will send a representative to your home to review what you need to move and talk about the logistics. That's your chance to ask about adding services like packing, or how much it costs to add a stop at a storage unit (or your Mom's house), or if the new apartment has three flights of stairs.

Moving an average household costs anywhere between $800 and $3,000 for a local move and $3000 and up for a long-distance move. There is a lot of room in those ranges, which is why it's so important to get an estimate of what your move would cost. It's best to have the movers give you the estimate in person instead of on the phone. They can do a better job of estimating if they see what you have, and you are less likely to be taken in by a shady company. It's also a federal regulation if the move is interstate.

Besides the transportation charges, movers add fees for services like packing, taking furniture apart and putting it back together, crating artwork, and moving big and bulky items. If you have a piano, a pool table, or a hot tub, the mover will quote an extra fee for those. If your apartment building has an elevator, the mover will add a waiting time fee. The same is true if they can't park the big moving truck right in front, and they have to carry things a long way or shuttle using a smaller vehicle. Sometimes the destination has obstacles like those you don't know about (or failed to mention to the mover) until delivery day. If that's the case, additional charges for those unexpected conditions will add to the overall cost at the end. But if you have had a frank and thorough discussion with the mover and reviewed the estimates before agreeing, hopefully, there won't be any surprises.