Explain the 5 Most Common Moving Options: Cost, Time and Levels of Service

Depending on your situation, moving can feel anything from pain-free to overwhelming. The key is deciding early what you need, when and where you want to relocate and how you’ll be handling any costs involved.  

There are several moving options available for different needs and budgets. This blog will help you assess your unique circumstances and find the best moving solution. Let’s take it step by step.  

Defining Your Needs — What Type of Move Are You Facing? 

Before you can really start planning for your upcoming move, it’s important to set some guardrails in place to determine exactly what you’ll need going forward. For most moves you’ll have to consider the following: 

Local, Intrastate, Long-Distance, or International? 

Local moves are usually defined as those that happen within the same local town or city, or within a distance of 50 miles or less. Planning and logistics will be fairly straightforward, the pickup and delivery of your belongings will probably happen on the same day and getting there won’t involve factors such as hotel stays or auto transport. That said, even a local move may involve temporary storage or other additional services full-service mover like Mayflower can provide. 

Intrastate moves are moves within the same state, but typically 50 miles or more in terms of distance. This type of move is covered by the same state regulations as a local move but requires additional planning and coordination. The cost is usually based on a combination of the mover’s hourly rate, the total weight of items being moved and the distance covered.   

Long-distance moves kick things up a notch because they usually involve travel across state lines. FYI, all interstate moves done by a full-service company like Mayflower require special authority and licensing. Depending on the distance between your previous and new homes, you may also need to plan ahead for things like hotel stays, vehicle transport and help with unpacking.  

International moves need to be planned well in advance to factor in such variables as how your belongings will be shipped, getting them through customs and even dealing with jetlag. Mayflower offers moving services to and from more than 150 different countries.  

How Much the Move Will Cost 

Setting a clear budget is the first step to narrowing down your choices. At this stage, you’ll need to consider all associated costs and hidden fees that might pop up along the way.  

Full-service moves, such as the ones we specialize in at Mayflower, typically cost more, but pricing also tends to be transparent and therefore more manageable. Likewise, the cost for container moves is generally fairly straightforward, but you’ll need to make sure the cost of potentially having to repair or replace your things is factored in.  

A DIY move probably looks less expensive on paper; however, it puts the entire burden of planning, executing and keeping track of every large and small detail squarely in your court. This includes things like hotel stays, who’ll be helping out and even renting the moving truck. In other words, going the DIY route may not cut down costs as much as you anticipated. If you own a lot of things or plan to move interstate or internationally, you may quickly find yourself feeling overwhelmed. 

Lump sum moves, where an employer pays for all or part of the moving expense, are becoming increasingly common. While it’s certainly preferable to assuming the entire cost yourself, there are certain things — such as paying taxes on the amount being provided — you’ll need to be aware of. Some employers will “gross up” the cost of a lump sum move to reflect the “real” amount you can spend before taxes kick in. Our advice: Be sure you thoroughly understand what they’re offering. 

Hiring help can often strike a balance between doing everything yourself and getting support at both ends of your move. Generally, you’ll pay by the hour for things such as loading and unloading, unpacking and basic furniture placement. 

Your Timeframe 

The date of your move can strongly influence the type of service you choose, as it directly affects how much time you’ll be spending throughout the move process. Let’s look at the different scenarios and timeframes involved. 

Full-service movers will take care of as many details as you want, but it’s best to start planning with them at least eight weeks in advance. At Mayflower we always advise our customers to lock in their move date as quickly as possible to ensure they get their preferred choice. Container moves often give you the flexibility to load your things over a few days or weeks; however, they’ll also need to be planned for in advance. While move brokers can be quite flexible, there can be problems with their willingness to assume responsibility should things go wrong. A self-move will give you total control over your move date. That said, it will probably be the most time-consuming option since you’ll be fully in charge of everything 

5 Different Moving Solutions and Who They Work Best for  

Now that you’ve seen the pros and cons involved in different move scenarios, let’s explore the best-fit choices. 

Full-Service Movers

When It Works: A full-service moving company like Mayflower is perfect when you want to be hands-off, especially if you’re moving long distance or have a large household. They’ll take care of everything from packing to unloading, so you can focus on other aspects of the move. Some full-service moving companies like Mayflower also offer storage and car shipping services.  

What’s Involved: The movers will pack, load, transport and unload your belongings. And for an additional charge, they can also take care of everything from packing and unpacking, debris removal and even electronics packing and installation.  

The Ideal Scenario: You’re moving to a new city or across the country and want to minimize the physical and logistical hassle, or you’re dealing with fragile items or valuables that require careful handling.  

In short, if you have a lot of possessions, don’t want to devote a significant amount of time to move-related details and want to take a hands-off approach to the whole experience, we recommend using a full-service mover.  

See our Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Full-Service Moving Companies. 

Moving Containers 

When It Works: This option is great if you need more flexibility with time and storage. You pack your belongings at your own pace, and the container is transported to your destination when you’re ready.  

What’s Involved: A container is delivered to your location for you to pack. Once packed, it’s picked up and transported to your new home or a storage facility if needed. Costs are generally transparent and lower than those for a full-service move. 

The Ideal Scenario: You need time to organize your move, have storage needs, or want a more affordable option than full-service movers.  

You’ll still need to organize, pack and unpack your things. That said it’s a great option if you need to store your belongings until your new space is move-in ready. Also note that in most cases you’ll need an off-street place for a container in a yard, garage or driveway. 

Moving Truck Rentals  

When It Works: If you’re on a tight budget and prefer to handle things yourself, renting a truck and self-moving gives you a large amount of control. This option is well-suited for smaller homes or apartments, and short distances.  

What’s Involved: You’ll need to pack, load, drive and unload everything yourself.  

The Ideal Scenario: A local move with minimal belongings or a short window of time, where you can manage the physical demands and responsibility.  

Renting a truck involves much more than backing it in and loading it up. You have a myriad of other tasks to take care of, such as pre-move downsizing and organizing, getting packing and unloading at the other end. 

Move Brokers 

When It Works: A moving broker acts as an intermediary, helping you find and connect with moving companies that meet your needs.  

What’s Involved: The broker collects information about your move and matches you with an appropriate moving company. They typically don’t handle the move directly but coordinate with the movers on your behalf.  

The Ideal Scenario: You’ll want to do your research and/or seek professional guidance to find reputable movers, especially if you’re unsure of their reputation, whether they offer the right services and especially if you’re planning a complicated move.  

Move brokers are basically “middlemen” who match you with their contact list of movers and packers based on your timeframe, the size and distance of your move and the services you need. This can often provide more scheduling flexibility.  

Moving Labor Services (Hiring Help for Loading/Unloading)  

When It Works: This is a great option if you already have a truck or container but need some extra hands for the heavy lifting. It’s ideal for smaller moves or if you’re physically unable to handle the tough work.  

What’s Involved: You hire laborers to help load or unload your belongings, while you handle the transportation.  

The Ideal Scenario: You need assistance with packing or unloading but are comfortable managing the logistics of transportation yourself.  

Getting moving labor help is a good solution if you need someone to handle the heavy lifting but still want a large measure of control over the rest of what happens. It’s important to know who you’re hiring, whether they’re properly insured and if they have experience with packing, loading and unpacking.  

Full-Service Movers, Moving Containers, Moving Truck Rentals, Move Brokers and Moving Labor Services

Here’s a brief side-by-side comparison to help you choose the best solution for your needs and budget. 

	Mayflower® Full-Service Movers	Moving Containers	Moving Truck Rentals	Move Brokers	Moving Labor Services
Pricing	Clear, upfront costs with no deposit required	No deposit is required	Typically, no deposit is required	Often requires a deposit when booking a move	Often an hourly rate
Full-Value Protection	Provides coverage for damage or loss for the full value of your belongings	Customers must secure their own insurance, increasing responsibility and costs	Coverage is the customer’s responsibility	May arrange for valuation coverage through the moving companies they work with	May arrange for valuation coverage through the moving companies they work with
Move Coordinator	A dedicated expert handling every detail for a smooth, worry-free move	Leaves the planning and execution largely up to the customer	Self-planning is required, with no dedicated guide	May handle communication, scheduling and coordination with the actual moving company	Not officially, although brokens sometimes offer guidance
Customized Moving Package	Mix and match services to fit your budget and needs	Focuses on self-service without on-site assistance	Limited customization options and a DIY focus	Act as intermediaries between you and actual moving companies	No
Packing and Unpacking Services	Provide packing materials and handle the packing and unpacking for you (if added)	Requires customers to self-pack and unpack belongings, adding time and effort	Places the packing and unpacking responsibility on you	May connect you with moving companies that offer packing and unpacking services	Usually, services are limited to loading and unloading
Debris Removal	Helps you declutter with easy disposal of used moving supplies	Doesn’t handle junk removal, adding another task to the moving process	Customer handles junk and debris removal	May partner with third-party providers	Possibly, for an additional cost
Storage Services	Offers short- and long-term storage options during your move	Doesn’t arrange and handle storage, adding to complexity and cost	Storage needs must be arranged separately	May connect customers with storage facilities or moving companies offering services	No
Custom Crating	Provides specialized packing and moving services for artwork, antiques and other valuables	Places the responsibility of fragile item crating on the customer	Customer must handle fragile item protection	Often partners with crating   specialists but does not provide direct services	No
Vehicle Shipping	Delivers your vehicle(s) to your desired location	Must arrange vehicle transport separately, adding effort	Requires separate arrangements by the customer	May usually connect customers with third-party auto transport companies	No

Small or big moves, near or far, Mayflower moving company can help you Every Step of the Way®. Get a no-obligation quote today.