Back in 2007, when I moved from Nashville to D.C., I wrote a post saying the next time I move, I’d let movers do the whole thing.
And I am. I’m also going to pay a lot for that convenience. Once again, being debt free with a decent cash cushion makes it a little less painful, but only just a little 
I started My Move Diary in 2006, when I moved from Virginia to Tennessee. Movingscam.org saved me a lot of headache and a lot of trouble. But I still had to get boxes, wrap items, pack, tape, lift, move and drive a U-Haul more times than I would have liked to.
I can’t stand moving. I like the thrill of a new place, but I can’t stand packing, lifting boxes, moving furniture and unpacking. So, this time, I decided not to do it. With my move from D.C. to New Jersey for my new gig, I decided to go through the steps to find a good mover and get estimates on how much it would cost to let them handle everything.
It was NOT fun.
The first set of estimates ranged from $1,100 to $4,700!! Two estimates were done over the phone (a red flag)– the movers said it wasn’t necessary for them to do an in-home estimate for a one bedroom apartment. Another based the price on cubit feet — another no no (estimates should be based on weight and travel distance). I dismissed those. Two in-home estimates from other companies varied 2,000 pounds, which made no sense to me. Did one mover see an invisible piece of furniture that the other didn’t? A literal elephant in my room?
Disgusted with the first round of estimates, I had to do another, which cut awfully close to my move date. This time, I tried Angie’s List on the suggestion of my guy. I called six movers on Angie’s List. Three said they didn’t do out-of-state moves. Only one of the remaining three would do an in-home estimate. I did two over the phone (again, not a good idea, but I was getting frustrated and wanted to wrap this up) and the third came to my place. This time, finally, the estimates were all the same, varying only by about a hundred pounds and $100.
I selected the mover who did an in-home estimate, assured a dedicated move (same movers would pack and load one truck, deliver and unpack), a truck big enough for my place and no larger, and that agreed to a flat rate — $3,100 no matter what.
Of course, that amount gave me heart palpitations, but that was about right given the apartment size, distance and full packing. Lord knows I don’t want to part with that much cash. I even thought about doing some initial packing if that would help reduce the price. But then I realized “It’s a flat rate! Even if I could save some money it would be what, $100? Bump that, I’m paying them three grand, so I’m not doing a durn thing!” And I ain’t. I’ll pack a suitcase, toiletries and anything I don’t want them touching (which isn’t much) and they can do everything else for that money. I’ll sip some tea while they wrap, pack, tape, lift, move, thank you very much.
I’ll let yall know how it goes. Cross your fingers, pray for a sister! I said three years ago that I’d save my pennies and let movers handle it. It chops down my living expenses fund, but I’ll just have to replenish it. Good thing I saved six months instead of just three!
DH
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Good luck with this new chapter in your life! $3,100 seems incredibly steep. In terms of my personal preference, I might feel more comfortable doing more of my own packing that way I would have a better sense of where things are and if anything came up mysteriously missing. No doubt about it though, living a debt free life and saving 40% of your income empowers you to make whatever choice you want. Kudos!
First of all, congratulations on your new job and move. I am a person who moves often (like once a year), and I’ve always done the moving myself. During this last move, I had to hire movers. I am getting too old to haul around all of my stuff by myself.
I am looking forward to the day when I can afford to hire movers to do it all (pack, move, unpack) for me too!
Have a safe and uneventful move.
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