11 Things to Expect from Professional Full-Service Movers

06 August 2023

Selecting a moving company ranks among the most crucial decisions you'll face during your move. While handling packing and moving alone might be technically feasible, the burden can become overwhelming. Opting for a professional moving service proves to be an excellent choice for those who prefer not to shoulder the immense task of moving or for those who, due to various reasons, cannot manage the moving process independently. 

Although full-service movers may not be the most budget-friendly option, their remarkable convenience is almost always well worth it. Entrusting at least part of the moving process to professionals is a wise decision. However, it's essential to understand the extent of their involvement and the services they provide.

Do movers handle the packing for you? What exactly do they pack, and where do their services conclude? Equipping yourself with this knowledge ensures you get the best value from a professional moving service and steer clear of common pitfalls along the way.

What exactly do full-service movers do

What exactly do full-service movers do?

1. Inventory

When contemplating the role of professional movers, the initial thought might be that they simply arrive on moving day and load belongings into their truck. However, the first step for a moving company is to review the list of items with the homeowner to be moved. As each individual's preferences vary, some may opt to have only furniture moved while handling smaller boxes themselves. Conversely, others may desire a full-service move, encompassing every aspect, including packing (though certain items may have restrictions on being moved by the company). 

In any case, professional movers have a well-organized system to track all items they are responsible for during the move. At Move4U, we provide comprehensive and itemized inventory lists for each job, specifying the type, quantity, and condition of each item. As the homeowner, you have the option to review and approve this list, ensuring accuracy and preventing discrepancies later. Taking the time to catalog each item before moving day results in a more organized and efficient move, reducing stress during the hectic moving process. Contact us now to get a free quote and experience a seamless and hassle-free moving service!

2. Packing and Unpacking Services

Moving involves far more than simply relocating items from one place to another. Fortunately, full-service movers offer the added convenience of packing your belongings as well. Packing stands as one of the most dreaded tasks linked to moving. The process of boxing up everything, labeling each box, moving them, and then unpacking can be a nightmare. However, with full-service moving companies, you can include packing as an additional service in your contract.

By opting for a full-service packing & unpacking move, you can sit back, relax, and let professional mover services handle the rest. Experienced packers and movers delicately handle and wrap your valuable possessions, ensuring they are securely placed in boxes, each one meticulously labeled for easy identification at your new home. The same with unpacking — you provide the guidance, and they'll take care of the entire unpacking process. While you focus on other essential tasks associated with settling into your new place, your movers will ensure each item finds its proper place. 

3. Supply packing materials

You don't have to go to the store for cardboard boxes, adhesive tape, paper, and bubble wrap. Professional moving services will provide all packing supplies, including delivery materials such as covers for furniture and additional cushioning.

4. Disassemble and Reassemble Furniture

A company of full-service movers will guarantee that your large and/or heavy furniture makes it in one piece to your ultimate goal. This incorporates partial or full taking apart of furniture as necessary (and reassembling it when the moment arrives).

5. Protect Your Belongings

One of the most common fears associated with moving companies is the concern about potential damage to precious belongings. Even if you haven't opted for their packing services, a professional moving company will still take the necessary steps to protect both your furniture and your home. Utilizing carpet protectors, moving blankets, padding, and plastic wrap, they can work wonders in preventing any damage during the move. 

With quality, professional movers, you can rest assured that they possess the expertise to safeguard both the home you are leaving and your new residence, significantly reducing the risk of any damage or loss. Unlike some moving horror stories where inexperienced individuals may have mishandled items, causing damage to property, your moving experience doesn't have to be like that. By choosing professional movers, you can avoid such scenarios and ensure a smooth and incident-free move, protecting your precious belongings and your home every step of the way.

Protect Belongings

6. Professional Movers Always Check the Vehicle

As moving day commences, one of the crew members thoroughly inspects the moving truck to ensure it's in excellent condition and capable of enduring the day's demands. There's no point in embarking on the move with a truck that might break down before our dedicated crew. Ensuring the safety of your belongings is our utmost priority, and a significant aspect of achieving this goal, as well as ensuring an efficient move, rests with the moving truck itself. 

Our professional movers handle these trucks on a daily basis, giving them extensive knowledge of what to assess and look out for. With their expertise, we guarantee that the moving truck is well-maintained and fully equipped to transport your belongings safely and securely to your new destination.

7. They Load and Unload the Truck With Ease

Once your belongings are expertly packed and safeguarded, the movers will proceed to load everything onto the truck. However, anyone who has attempted a DIY move knows that this step is far more challenging in practice than it may seem. Rental trucks often come with platforms up to 4 feet off the ground, while others may boast a lower platform with a ramp but still involve hazardous clamps and hooks to manipulate. 

A professional and top-quality moving crew possesses the precise expertise to load even the most oddly shaped furniture, heavy boxes, and delicate items, ensuring everything arrives intact at your new home. Moving companies excel in maximizing space and efficiency during the loading process. This entails strategically positioning boxes to prevent any mishaps during transit and providing the necessary protection for valuable items like your glass coffee table. 

Leaving the loading task to individuals without the proper training and know-how may result in cracked, smashed, or scratched belongings upon arrival. Moreover, it could potentially lead to injuries for the individuals involved. To avoid these risks and ensure a smooth and secure move, entrust the loading & unloading process to professional movers who have the skills and experience to handle your belongings with utmost care.

8. Professional Movers Offer Security

When required, professional movers will take the necessary steps to secure heavier items within the moving truck to prevent shifting during transit, minimizing the risk of damage. The key to having full-service movers on your side lies in their methodical approach. These expert movers will utilize special moving mats, straps, clamps, and locks to ensure the items are securely fastened in the truck. These are specialized tools and equipment that you typically won't find lying around in your garage. 

While you may be able to rent some of this equipment from a local truck store, it doesn't guarantee that you know how to use it correctly. In the past, you might have resorted to the tried and true method of cramming as much stuff into the back of the truck as possible, hoping that the sheer density of the items would keep them in place. However, this approach is often insufficient. Securing your belongings properly is a vital aspect of moving day that professional moving companies can handle with expertise, far better than attempting to do it yourself. Entrusting this responsibility to professionals ensures that your belongings are well-protected and securely stowed during transit, providing you with peace of mind throughout the moving process.

9. They Can Handle a Moving Truck

Operating a moving truck is a different ballgame compared to driving a 2-door sedan. Maneuvering a large, heavily loaded truck filled with boxes and furniture demands careful attention to turns, stops, and traffic. The truck's dimensions will be unfamiliar, which can lead to unintended damage to signs, gates, and trees that you don't usually worry about. To ensure safety and security during the move, it is crucial to rely on certified and registered professional movers affiliated with reputable national organizations. For instance, organizations like FMCSA provide a solid starting point for finding reliable movers. 

At Move4U, we hold the appropriate registrations to guarantee the safety of your belongings, whether you're moving locally or across the entire country. While rental truck stores may allow you to drive their trucks, it doesn't mean the experience will be effortless. Considering the time and stress you can save by letting someone else handle the truck driving on a moving day, opting for professional movers proves to be a wise decision. Entrust the task to experienced professionals and enjoy a smoother and more relaxed moving experience.

10. Professional Movers Know How to Organize

As the furniture is delivered, the moving team will determine the right room for each item and even inquire about the customer's desired arrangement inside the area. If you selected the full-service move option, you won't need to worry about any of the labor as the movers will handle unpacking and assembling all the objects. Then, you can take some time to relax or explore the new neighborhood.

11. They Handle The Clean Up

The disposal of packing materials is often an overlooked yet crucial aspect of the moving process. After the move, you may find yourself with numerous cardboard boxes that need recycling, as well as other materials like plastic wrap and packing peanuts that require proper disposal. Your full-service movers can handle this responsibility, ensuring that everything gets disposed of in an eco-friendly manner, leaving you with a clutter-free and tidy space. Essentially, full-service movers are equipped to handle every aspect of your move. You will collaborate with the professional movers you hire to develop an exact plan, specifying the tasks you would like them to manage. From packing to loading, unloading, unpacking, and even disposal, they offer a comprehensive range of services to make your moving experience smooth and stress-free.

How much will this all cost?

As you embark on hiring a company to handle the various moving tasks, it's essential to anticipate that engaging them for a comprehensive range of services will naturally incur higher costs compared to selecting only a few tasks. To gain insights into the potential expenses for a full-service move based on your belongings and the distance of your move, our moving cost calculator comes to your aid. The level of assistance you desire directly impacts the expenses, with full-service moving companies generally charging around $25 to $50 per hour per mover. 

  • The final price is contingent on the following factors:
  • The number of movers required
  • The volume of items to be moved
  • The distance that the movers need to cover
  • Whether packing materials are needed (with some full-service movers including them in their service, while others may charge extra fees)
  • The specific tasks the movers will undertake
  • The time of the year for the move (rates often peak during popular days, times, and seasons, as well as holidays)

Just as you would do when hiring any moving service, it is wise to obtain estimates from at least three different full-service moving companies. This enables you to compare prices and make an informed decision. To minimize costs, consider handling certain tasks yourself, such as having the movers pack, load, transport, and unload while personally taking care of unpacking and material disposal. By doing so, you can tailor the moving services to suit your budget and needs effectively.

How much time will a full-service move take?

Handling packing and moving tasks on your own can be a time-consuming endeavor, spanning days or even weeks. In contrast, opting for full-service movers provides a structured timetable, offering a clear indication of the duration from start to finish. 

This comprehensive timetable typically encompasses the following stages: 

  • Estimate and Planning Time: To provide you with the most accurate estimate, a full-service moving company will send a representative to your home for a general inventory assessment. Expect this process to take a few days, as same-day appointments for the walkthrough might not be available. The actual walkthrough should take around an hour to complete.
  • Packing and Furniture Disassembly: With a team of skilled packers, full-service movers expedite the preparation of your belongings for transport, significantly outpacing what you could achieve on your own. For instance, packing up a three-bedroom home typically takes full-service movers about 2 to 3 hours.
  • Loading and Unloading: Loading and unloading items onto and off the moving truck represent relatively straightforward tasks provided by full-service movers. This combined process should generally not exceed an hour or an hour and a half.
  • Unpacking: If you've arranged for your movers to handle the unpacking as well, allocate a similar amount of time for unpacking as you did for packing. It's also crucial to account for the transport time, which depends on the distance your movers need to cover for the move.

By factoring in all these stages, you can effectively plan your moving schedule with the assistance of full-service movers, ensuring a smooth and timely relocation.

Happy Residential Moving

How to find a reputable full-service mover

In summary, the role of professional movers is to lift a massive burden off your shoulders on a moving day. Regardless of whether you hire them for packing services or not, moving day involves a lot of work, and entrusting it to professionals is essential. The answer to the question "What do movers do" goes far beyond merely moving boxes from one place to another. Professional movers provide a comprehensive level of service that extends from the beginning to the end of the moving process. 

Choosing the cheapest mover may not be the wisest decision, as the level of service and care they provide might not meet your expectations. Throughout the entire moving journey, professional movers offer a level of service that you simply can't replicate when doing it yourself. Moving can be an immensely stressful experience, not only because you're leaving a familiar place but also because you may not have easy access to your belongings for a while. Having a team of skilled movers by your side saves you time and grants you peace of mind during the overall transition you and your family are undergoing. If you're in search of a reliable team of professional Chicago movers you can trust, don't hesitate to get a quote from Move4U today. We are here to provide you with the seamless moving experience you deserve!


Your next move starts with free quote