Moving Companies - Self Service and DIY

Self Service and DIY

Moving companies often offer services that are less involved and expensive than full service moving. Some companies derive most of their income from truck and equipment services, other companies provide drivers and delivery service simply letting the customer perform the actual packing. Some companies provide movers instead of trucks or equipment to handle the skilled and physical aspect of moving. Hiring movers for this purpose is referred to as moving labor or moving labor services. In recent years, new containerized moving solutions have come into the moving industry, allowing individuals to order a container and have it dropped off at their request to the location of their choice. When they finish packing their container, it's picked up and moved to the location of their choice.

The use of truck rental services, or simply borrowing similar hardware, is referred to as DIY moving in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. The parties moving borrow or rent a truck or trailer large enough to carry the load of household goods to be relocated and, if necessary, obtaining moving equipment such as dollies, furniture pads and cargo belts to protect the furniture and make things easier to move. It also involves finding or buying materials such as boxes, paper, tape and bubble wrap with which to pack boxable and/or fragile household goods for their protection and for compact carrying and stacking on moving day. Self-service moving companies offer another viable option: The person moving buys space on one or more trailers or shipping containers. These large containers, often up to 53' feet in length, are driven by professionals to the new location. The renters of the trailer or truck often sell or lease accessories such as furniture blankets, tie down straps, packing material, dollies and ramps.

These moving company services are often considerably less expensive than full service moving. The key difference is that much of the liability for damage falls on the customer when they utilize these services. The carrier is generally only liable for damage resulting from traffic accidents or other damage that occurs to the trailer after they recover it. Damage from improper loading and packing falls on the customer, much like with a rental truck.

Estimates in the moving industry are made by either weight or by cubic feet.

In weight-based estimates, the moving company will provide an estimate as to the potential overall weight of the entire shipment on the move date. The customer will be required to pay the bill based on the overall previously agreed price per pound.

When estimates are provided based on cubic feet, the moving company will provide a quote based on the inventory of furniture taken by the company. This enables the company to provide a binding quote so the customer knows exactly what the costs will be prior to the move date.