Cheapest Moving Companies For an Affordable Move

Pros:

• Saves money on moving: Since you’re not bringing much with you, you won’t have to pay the expense of renting a moving truck or hiring movers.
• Helps you declutter & purge: Most of us have too many possessions. Selling your things before moving helps you re-evaluate what’s important, so you can focus on having just the essentials in your new home. It also makes for a cheaper moving service.
• You can update your décor: Getting rid of everything means you get to start over with new furnishings in your new place. This purge creates a fun opportunity to update your style and create the living space you desire.
• Fun road trip or quick flight: Without the weight of your belongings, you can turn the move into a fun adventure, or expedite the process. Pack your car with clothing and other essentials you aren’t ditching, then hit the road for your new home, stopping along the way to take in the sights and scenery. Alternatively, you could ship your vehicle and buy a plane ticket for a fast trip to your new home. Either option is more enjoyable than lugging an entire household of furniture and belongings.

Cons:

• Requires planning: If you decide to ditch your belongings before the move, you’ll have to get an early start sorting through your items and starting the sales process. Aside from the traditional pre-moving garage sale, you can also try selling your things using Craigslist or one of the multiple apps (like OfferUp, LetGo, and others) that make it simple to snap pictures and post your items for sale. While technology has made getting rid of things easier, it still takes time to list each piece, haggle with buyers, and arrange for pick-up. Give yourself at least a month to sell your unwanted possessions, or donate it all and take the tax write-off.
• Could get expensive: While selling everything you own saves you a bundle on moving costs, it could turn out to cost more in the end. You likely got pennies on the dollar for everything you sold, but you’ll have to re-purchase many of these items at the full retail price to furnish your new home. You could end up shelling out more money on new furniture and décor than you would have spent shipping your old stuff to your new residence.
• A rough start in your new home: Imagine moving into your new house or apartment with just a few boxes of clothing and personal effects; the living space will look barren and uninviting. If you need to start school or a new job right away, you might not have the time or energy to redecorate your entire home from scratch. Without a couch to relax on in the evenings or even a bed to sleep away the jitters of life in a new city, it could be a rough start to this new journey.

Pros:

• Affordable: This is one of the cheapest ways to move, as U-Haul offers one-way rentals in the hundreds of dollars. When we researched rates for a cross-country move from San Diego, CA to Charleston, SC, we discovered it would cost between $413 and $962 (depending on the trailer size), for an 8-day rental. This price is just a fraction of what it costs to hire low-cost professional movers for the same move.
• Increased flexibility: Renting a trailer gives users lots of flexibility. U-Haul has a nationwide network of pick-up locations and a massive inventory of cheap moving trailers, making it easy to pick-up a trailer on short notice practically anywhere in the country. Moving trailers come with a minimum rental window, depending on the length of your journey, but you may add rental days for added flexibility.
• One-Way rentals available: This option is practical for long distance moves, as U-Haul has several drop-off locations scattered across the U.S. So, whether you’re moving from Sacramento to NYC or from Pennsylvania to Florida, chances are, there’s a U-Haul moving facility at your point of origin and destination. Trailer rentals work well for in-town moves as well!

Cons:

• Small moves only: If you’re moving a 3-4-bedroom house, a trailer probably isn’t the way to go. The smallest U-Haul trailer measures 142 cubic feet, which is enough room for smaller pieces of furniture, like chairs, small sofas, or twin-sized beds. The most extended trailer, a 6’ x 12’ model has 400 cubic feet of storage space. This model accommodates most of the contents of a small studio or 1-bedroom apartment but still isn’t spacious enough for most households.
• Must have the right vehicle: In addition to their low-capacity, moving trailers also require a proper car for towing. A hard-topped SUV or Jeep is necessary for most cheap moving trailer rentals, though you might be able to haul a smaller model with a sedan. Check the U-Haul site for the specs and requirements for towing each cargo trailer.
• Increased safety issues: Towing a cheap moving trailer isn’t for the faint of heart. Overloading the trailer, driving too fast, failing to hook up the brake lights, and other missteps could lead to jackknifing the trailer or losing control of it. Before you rent one, read the manuals and make sure you’re up for the task.
• Slow going: For safety, U-Haul recommends drivers keep speeds under 55 mph. Instead of barreling down the highway at 70 or 75 mph, you’ll putter along in the slow lane, watching cars whiz by you. A 2100-mile cross-country drive from Texas to Maine, ordinarily 32-hour road trip, would take over 38 hours to complete. If you’re in a hurry to get where you’re moving, then this may not be the best moving option for you.
• Must find helpers for loading/unloading: If you’re using a trailer for your move, you’ll probably need to find a few helping hands for loading and unloading it. Even if you don’t use a moving company for transporting your belongings, you can still hire inexpensive moving companies to help with packing or unpacking the trailer. Or round up a few friends and family to assist.

Pros:

• More affordable than movers: In some circumstances, renting a moving truck is cheaper than hiring a professional moving company. For example, for a local Las Vegas move, it only costs $19.95 plus $.79/mile to rent a small 10-foot U-Haul moving truck. So, all in, your relocation could cost less than $50. A local moving company in the area charges between $100-$130 per hour, and most require a 2-3 hour minimum. That means you could end up spending almost $400 on a simple move across town. In this situation, it might be cheaper to rent the moving truck. However, make sure you have a detailed break-out of all costs and added fees before you leave the rental parking lot.
• Don’t have to buy a plane ticket: If you’re moving across the country in a rented truck, you won’t have to spend money buying plane tickets for the whole family. Most moving trucks accommodate 2-3 passengers, depending on whether they have bucket seats or a bench seat. The rest of your loved ones can ride behind in the family car. Or, if you’re going solo, you can attach a trailer to the moving truck and haul it behind.
• Explore the country: If you’re moving out-of-state, driving a rental truck may give you the opportunity to adventure along on roads you’ve never seen. Turn the move into an adventure as you check out scenic byways like Route 66 and pit stops like Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Arkansas’ aquamarine Buffalo National River, or North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Available in a variety of sizes: Rental trucks come in several sizes, offered by several vendors. You can rent anything from a 10-foot truck for a studio apartment to a 26-foot truck that’s big enough for 5-7 rooms’ worth of possessions. With this range of options, you’re sure to find a rental truck that suits your needs.
• Your move on your schedule: With a rental truck, you have more flexibility to carry out your relocation on your timing. Instead of waiting for movers to show up, you can choose the date to check-out your truck, then fill it at your convenience. Make sure you return it according to the contract deadline to avoid incurring late fees.
• Excellent for in-town and cross-country moves: If you’re moving across town, rental trucks are an inexpensive way to avoid borrowing a vehicle from a buddy. You can rally some friends and family to help you load and unload the truck, completing your move in a matter of hours. Rentals are also an excellent choice for long-distance moves if you’re up for handling this type of vehicle.

Cons:

• Driving is tricky: If you typically jet around in your Toyota Corolla, then upsizing to a moving truck will take some adjusting. Prepare for the challenges of limited overhead clearances, a wide body, and wind resistance.
• Poor gas mileage: Thanks to the wind resistance and heavy shipping loads, some moving trucks get as little as 10 miles per gallon on the highway. Make sure to factor in the expense of frequent gas refills if you’re renting one to drive cross-country.
• Slow speeds: Several moving truck rental companies advise customers to stay under 55 mph for safety and improved handling. This reduced speed could feel very slow-going, especially if you’re rushing across the country over a weekend to start a new job on Monday.
• Help with loading and unloading: Unless you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime competitive bodybuilding days, you’ll need a few hands getting your couch, appliances, and other heavy household items onto the moving truck. Plan on rallying the troops with some free beer and pizza!
• Add-on fees: Make sure you understand all the charges before you sign on the dotted line. Many a renter is surprised to find out how much environmental fees, insurance, taxes, and other hidden fees end up costing. Additionally, you might need to rent equipment like an appliance dolly and moving blankets. All these expenses add up.
• Liability: When professional movers transport your items, they assume the liability not only for their moving truck but for damage or loss of your household goods as well. When performing a DIY move, you take responsibility for all the above. That means, if you drop your brand-new flat screen or drive the truck into a too low-clearance, you’re responsible for paying.

Pros:

• Don’t have to drive: Instead of trying to navigate low clearance bridges and worrying about blind spots in a rental truck, with a portable storage unit, you don’t have to do any of the driving! After you load your container, just call the company to arrange pick-up. They deliver your pod to your new home.
• Pack at your-own rate: One of the most significant advantages of using a moving container is the ability to prepare for your move at your own pace. Most companies, like PODS and U-Pack, drop-off your container and give you unlimited time to pack it, whether that’s a few days or even a few weeks.
• Makes storage seamless: If your move entails being without a home for weeks or months, you might need a place to store things. Renting a storage pod streamlines the transition from home to storage to the next house. Load the container once, and the storage company transports it to a secure warehouse until you schedule a delivery. Alternatively, most pod companies allow customers to use containers for on-site storage – an ideal option for those working on a home renovation.
• Variety of sizes and options: There are at least a dozen national and regional moving pod companies that offer storage containers. Not only does a wide selection make it easier to comparison shop for the best price, but it also means you can choose a container size that works best for your needs.
• Affordability: In some cases, moving containers are a cheaper option than hiring a professional moving company.

Cons:

• Loading & unloading: Unless you’re the Incredible Hulk, you’ll need assistance loading and unloading your storage pod. This means you must either enlist the help of a few buddies or hire local movers by the hour to assist.
• Parking permits and HOA restrictions: Some cities may require you to apply for a special permit to park a storage container on the street. In some neighborhoods, you might have to contend with HOA regulations that prohibit these eyesores from taking up space in your driveway. If you live in an apartment, the complex management may not allow you to take up limited parking spaces with a container either. Before you rent a moving pod, make sure to check the rules and regulations where you live.
• Limited access to storage: If you arrange short-term storage for your pod, you may find that it’s inconvenient or impractical to access your belongings. Unlike with a self-storage unit that offers 24/7 access, you’ll have to schedule a time with the container company to access your pod.
• Not much control over arrival: While you get to choose the drop-off and pick-up dates, the date your pod arrives at your new home may be out of your control. Be sure to ask your container company about the specifics of

Pros:

• Help with a variety of services: Pro movers usually offer a wide range of moving and storage services, including packing/unpacking, warehouse storage, furniture moving, appliance delivery, office and residential moves, apartment moves, last minute moves, and more. As the customer, you get to choose select services or elect for a full-service move.
• Assume responsibility for your items: When the movers take your possessions into their care, they assume the liability for any goods that get damaged, lost or stolen. Interstate and intrastate movers are required to carry insurance to protect your things. Instead of entrusting your grandmother’s prized armoire to your husband’s sometimes clumsy friends, you can leave it in the hands of movers who will take full responsibility.
• Door-to-door and full-service solutions: Many movers offer full-service solutions that include carefully boxing your items and unloading everything at your new residence. This end-to-end option seriously reduces moving stress, especially if you’re short on time to do-it-all yourself.
• They manage loading and unloading truck: Instead of breaking your own back trying to lift heavy boxes and haul weighty furniture, you can let the movers sweat it out while you supervise. Professionals manage the entire loading and unloading process, so you never have to lift a finger.
• Saves time: If you’ve ever moved, you know it can take hours just to box up your kitchen. Professional movers can knock out the work in a fraction of the time it would take to do it all on your own.
• Fully equipped with truck, supplies, and equipment: Movers come fully-prepared with everything needed to orchestrate a smooth move. In addition to a full-sized moving truck, a moving company brings moving supplies, blankets to protect your furniture and appliances, and dollies to safely transport your things to and from the truck.
• You don’t have to find people to help: Except for a handful of saints, most of your friends and family would prefer to sleep in on Saturday morning over helping you move. Instead of contending with a round of mysterious last-minute cancellations, hire professionals that will show up on time to get your move done.
• Trained and knowledgeable: Moving and storage companies have a trained staff that is well-versed in nearly all aspects of moving. If your move includes conquering complicated logistics like getting a treadmill down a set of stairs or packing up your ultra-thin (and expensive) wine glasses, professional movers are up to the task.

Cons:

• Might be more expensive than some of the alternatives: Hiring movers is usually more costly than using a self-moving option like a rental truck or borrowing a truck from family or friends. However, once you factor in the value of time and additional expenses like gas or rentals of moving equipment, you might be surprised at the relative affordability of a using a mover.
• Scams are possible: In the moving industry, one if of the most significant worries is hiring a scammer. Referred to as “rogue” movers, these illegitimate moving companies run illegal operations and often swindle customers out of hundreds or thousands of dollars with fraudulent tactics. When shopping for movers, make sure you follow the tips we shared above, and always make sure your mover is licensed!
• Long-distance moves could take a while: While local movers can complete most residential relocations in less than a day, if you’re moving long distance, plan on it taking a bit. Most affordable moving companies consolidate shipments to make a move more efficient and cheaper for consumers. This means that after they pick up your load, they might stop at two or three other homes to pick-up additional shipments on the way to your new address. Sometimes it takes as long as 3-4 weeks for the movers to show up with your load.