If you find yourself faced with a move where you are moving just a few pieces of furniture, a handful of boxes, or perhaps even just a single bulky item, you might assume that a traditional moving company should be the first call. Movers handled relocations every day so why not hire standard professionals? However, traditional moving companies are designed for full-scale and large moves, meaning you might be faced with higher costs, unnecessary services, and potential headaches for no reason.
When you seek companies with an A rating from the BBB for your move, you might come across small move services. These specialists assist with people trying to relocate small apartment sizes, shipping a few valuables, or those downsizing, which may make them a better option for your move than a standard moving service.
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The High Costs of Traditional Moving Companies
One of the biggest drawbacks of using a traditional moving service for a small move is the cost associated with it. Most full-service moving companies have minimum weight requirements for the move which means you are paying for truck space and labor if you don’t even need it. 2,000-pound minimums are quite common, which means you will pay a flat rate for that even if your furniture only weighs 500 pounds.
This flat-rate pricing model makes small moves unnecessarily expensive and doesn’t even account for other fees you may run into such as fuel surcharges, stair or elevator fees, and packing/unpacking costs. When you are only moving a few items, small move services tend to be better as they typically price by volume, rather than by weight.
Large Moving Crews and Equipment Aren’t Necessary
Traditional movers operate under the assumption that bigger is always better with a move, meaning they send out their largest trucks and many movers even for small tasks. This setup can be helpful if you are relocating an entire home, but it tends to be overkill for a small move. For those shipping a sofa, dining table, or even just a couple of boxes, there is no need for a larger moving truck or a multi-person crew.
Small move services right-size this process by sending in smaller trucks and only the exact amount of people you need, thus saving you money and time to ensure your items get where they need to go quicker.
Large Moving Companies Often Have Scheduling Changes
Another major issue that often arises with large moving companies is scheduling issues. Large moving companies need to focus on big, high-revenue jobs which means that small moves often get low priority. If your move isn’t big enough, you may find yourself waiting for an available time slot to open up, forced into sharing truck space and dealing with longer transit times, or dealing with general scheduling delays.
Since big movers work on volume, they often batch their shipments together which causes them to not arrive when you actually need them. A small move specialist, on the other hand, caters specifically to these types of moves and can cause fewer delays with more flexible scheduling and faster turnaround times.
The Risk of Damage and Lost Items
Traditional moving services typically handle multiple customer jobs at once which increases the risk of your goods being damaged or lost, especially with smaller shipments. Your items could easily be mistaken and mixed with items in another move. On top of this, the large size of full-scale moving trucks increases the risk of items shifting in transit which correspondingly increases the risk of breakage. Movers who are on a tight schedule might also not pack items as delicately as they should.
If you are shipping valuable or fragile furniture, the lack of individualized attention can be an issue. Small move services focus instead on carefully handling fewer items which helps to reduce the risk of problems. Some companies even offer custom crating and extra protective measures which helps to give your belongings the care they deserve.
Protect your furniture during a move
While traditional moving companies are excellent options for large-scale home relocations, they are overkill for small moves. The high minimum cost structure, excessive manpower and equipment, scheduling concerns, and risk of lost items should all give you pause when thinking about who to hire for your move. Consider utilizing small move specialists, freight shipping, or even consolidated moving services if you are seeking a cheaper, safer, and more efficient moving experience. Never forget to compare various pricing models from quotes online and be sure to read all customer reviews so that you know you are partnering with a provider who will be able to meet your unique needs.
