Moving used to follow a pretty familiar formula: pack up your belongings, hire a moving truck and hope everything arrives when it’s supposed to. Today, there are more ways to get from one home to another — and you don’t necessarily have to choose an all-or-nothing approach. 

Technology and new moving services have created options that can save time, reduce costs or give you more control over the process. You can get a moving estimate without an in-home visit, share truck space with another customer, have a portable container delivered to your driveway or hire help for only the heavy lifting. 

The key is knowing which options fit your move, budget and tolerance for doing some of the work yourself. 

Start With a Virtual Moving Estimate

Many moving companies now offer virtual estimates that let you show a representative what you’re moving using your smartphone or tablet. 

During a virtual walkthrough, you’ll typically take the consultant through each room, including closets, cabinets and storage areas. The consultant creates an inventory and estimates the volume of your belongings. You may also be asked to show hallways, stairs, elevators and the driveway or parking area so the company can assess access. 

Why consider it? Virtual surveys can be faster and more convenient than scheduling an in-home appointment. 

What’s the catch? An estimate is only as accurate as the information you provide. Items tucked away in dark storage spaces or overlooked during the walkthrough can result in an inaccurate estimate — and potentially a higher price on moving day. If you have a large, complicated or unusual move, an in-home survey may be the better choice. 

Hire Help for Only What You Need

You don’t necessarily have to hire a full-service moving company. App-based services such as HireAHelper and TaskRabbit connect customers with people who can provide moving labor, from loading and unloading to heavy lifting and other tasks. Lugg offers a similar model for smaller moves, connecting customers with movers and a truck or van. This can be particularly useful if you’re renting your own truck or portable container but don’t want to do all the lifting yourself. 

The tradeoff: You may save money by hiring labor separately, but you’re taking on more responsibility for coordinating the different pieces of the move. 

Look for Flexible Pricing

Moving costs can vary depending on when and how you move. Demand is typically higher during the summer moving season. Some companies use dynamic pricing, meaning rates can change based on demand, available capacity, routes and other factors. 

If your schedule allows, ask about pricing for: 

• Weekdays instead of weekends
• Mid-month dates instead of the beginning or end of the month
• Off-season moves 

Tip: If you have flexibility, ask a mover to quote several dates rather than assuming your first-choice date is your only option. 

Share a Truck for a Long-Distance Move

If you don’t have enough belongings to fill an entire truck, a shared or consolidated shipment may be worth considering. Instead of paying for the entire truck, your belongings share space with another customer’s shipment. The approach can reduce costs and may also reduce the fuel and emissions associated with multiple partially filled trucks. 

The tradeoff is time. Your belongings may make additional stops as other shipments are picked up or delivered, so delivery can take longer than with a dedicated truck. It might be a fit if saving money is more important to you than having the fastest possible delivery. 

Consider a Portable Moving Container

Portable moving containers offer a middle ground between a full-service move and doing everything yourself. A company delivers a large, weather-resistant container to your home. You pack it on your own schedule, and the company then transports it to your new home or to a storage facility. 

You have more control over the packing process and don’t have to work around a moving crew’s schedule. Some newer services offer different container sizes, improved tracking and, in some cases, climate-controlled storage. 

But there is a tradeoff: You are responsible for packing your belongings.That means you’ll need to protect fragile items carefully, and you’ll have to stay within the container’s weight and size limits. 

Go the DIY Route

For shorter moves, renting a truck and doing the work yourself may be one of the more economical choices. You don’t necessarily have to do all the work yourself, either. Some truck-rental companies offer access to local moving labor for loading and unloading. 

This approach gives you control over the schedule and the moving process, but it also puts more responsibility on you — from driving the truck to coordinating helpers and making sure everything is packed securely. If you move yourself, your homeowner’s or renter’s policy may provide coverage for your belongings.  

Don’t Overlook the Hybrid Move

One of the biggest changes in the moving industry is that you no longer have to choose between “hire movers” and “do it yourself.” You can mix and match services. 

For example, you might: 

• Pack your own belongings but hire movers to load the truck. 
• Rent a truck but hire help to unload it. 
• Use a portable container and hire local labor for the heavy lifting.
• Move smaller items yourself and hire professionals for furniture and appliances.
• Share truck space for a long-distance move while handling the packing yourself. 

Tip: Think about which parts of the move you’re comfortable handling — and which jobs you’d rather pay someone else to do. 

How to Choose the Right Moving Option

Before you start requesting quotes, think about four things: your budget, your time, how much work you’re willing to do and how quickly you need your belongings.Then compare your options. 

• Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to research companies and moving methods, especially if you’re moving during the busy summer season. 

• Get a baseline cost. Use an online moving calculator to get a general idea of what your move might cost before requesting quotes. 

• Get multiple estimates. Request surveys or quotes from several reputable moving companies so you can compare prices and services. 

• Ask about flexible dates. If your schedule allows, see whether moving on a weekday, mid-month or outside peak season could lower the price. 

• Read the contract. Make sure you understand the pickup and delivery windows, what’s included in the price and what liability or valuation coverage is provided. 

• Be cautious about deposits. Be wary of a moving company that demands a large cash deposit upfront. Research the company and make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate mover before signing a contract or handing over money. 

   From all of us at California Casualty, we wish you a safe, smooth and stress-free move.