Moving in San Diego? Here’s a Budget-friendly Guide

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Looking for cheap San Diego movers?

I hear ya. Cost is definitely one of the most important factors for people planning a move — however, it’s not the only one! Moving is stressful, time-consuming, and you’re handing most of your stuff over to relative strangers. A slightly higher cost for better quality and peace of mind is worth every penny. 

One of the key things to look for is a trustworthy moving company with professional, responsible movers. This is especially important in California, which has become notorious for moving fraud (especially for out-of-state moves). 

 

“Don’t be afraid to hire additional moving helpers. While it might feel like you’re paying more, if you’re hiring moving labor by the hour, you could wind up shaving some time off the move…”

 

But what does a reliable moving company look like?

For one, make sure that they have their insurance policies up to date and licenses (MC#/DOT) in order. You’ll also want to search for some positive reviews from real former customers. Moving insurance can give you peace of mind as well — so can opting for a moving provider that offers a service guarantee

Below are some must-know’s for moving to and around San Diego!


San Diego Moving Options

movers load a white upholstered chair into a moving van

There are generally three options for moving in San Diego: do-it-yourself, hybrid, and full-service.

  • DIY is going to be your most budget-friendly option. You’re not hiring professionals to help you out, so you just need to pay for your truck, your supplies, and so forth. The tradeoff is all of the extra time and labor your move will require.
  • Hybrid is the option where you pay for help for part of the move, but still do the transportation yourself. In other words, you pay for moving helpers to load or unload your things, while you rent and drive the moving truck.
  • Full-service means that movers come to your house, pack your things onto their own moving truck, drive your belongings to your new place, and unload everything into the proper rooms. There are some options that have you pack your own stuff into boxes first, but typically full-service takes care of your move from start to finish. Naturally, this means it’s the most expensive option

See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.


San Diego Moving Costs

The moving style you pick from above will greatly impact how much you pay for your move. Keeping in mind that a number of factors can vastly skew the overall total cost of a move (including things like gas, moving insurance, overnight lodging, and more), here’s a quick overview of how moving costs might compare for these different options:

  • Local DIY move: $175–$475
  • Local hybrid move: $350+
  • Local full-service move: $700+
  • Long-distance DIY move: $1,000–$5,000+
  • Long-distance hybrid move: $1,300+
  • Long-distance full-service move: $2,000+

San Diego Moving Cost by Move Size

a moving truck being packed with furniture and boxes

Your costs will, of course, depend on the size of your own move. In most cases, final price is determined by the total volume of your belongings. But if you’re like me, trying to guess that number before you’ve packed a single box feels like some kind of high-pressure carnival game. The easier way to know how expensive your move will cost is to go by how many rooms you have.

 

“Most people in San Diego use a 20-foot truck to move their stuff. Naturally, people with less furniture might get away with something smaller…[while] those with very large homes might want to go for a large truck (18–24 feet long).”

 

Below, you’ll find cost estimates for different move sizes (including both loading and unloading) in San Diego:

Size Movers Needed Number of Hours Square Feet Avg. Move Cost*
Studio/Small Apt 2 4 Up to 800 $632
2–3 Bedroom Apt 2 5 800–1,200 $787
2–3 Bedroom House 3 7 1,000–1,500 $1,370
4+ Bedroom House 4 7 1,500–2,000 $1,960
*Labor only for a short-distance local San Diego move. This doesn’t include truck rental costs.

Of course, you’ll want to account for any additional factors, like whether your building has a lot of stairs (movers often charge for extra stairs) or if you have fragile or extra-heavy items (not a fridge, more like a hot tub).

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to hire additional moving helpers. While it might feel like you’re paying more, if you’re hiring moving labor by the hour, you could wind up shaving a ton of time off the move — which will save you way more money in the long run.


San Diego Movers FAQ

view of the san diego skyline

Now that we’ve covered the big-picture details, let’s take up some of the finer points. Here are some of the most popular questions about moving in San Diego.

How much do movers in San Diego cost?

In San Diego, an average move costs about $429*

That is the average cost of two movers working approximately three hours in San Diego. (See more averages in the chart above, or get a custom quote directly from HireAHelper.)

*Median cost of labor-only moves purchased within San Diego on HireAHelper.com in 2023

How long does moving take in San Diego?

Most moves in San Diego take three hours per job.

Factors include the size of the home you’re moving, if you’re having movers help with both loading and unloading, and the distance you’re traveling in between. Traffic and time of day also matter — a friend of mine once paid an extra $300 for her move simply because the truck got stuck in rush hour on the highway! Yikes!

See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.

How many movers do I need for my move in San Diego?

With two movers, you can complete most moves in San Diego in a reasonable time. Adding at least one more mover might expedite the process, which is recommended for larger homes.

Keep in mind moving companies have a minimum number of movers you’re required to hire per job, and that number is typically two. 

What size truck do I need when moving in San Diego?

Most people in San Diego use a 20-foot truck to move their stuff.

Naturally, people with less furniture might get away with something smaller — and, likewise, those with very large homes might want to go for a large truck (18–24 feet long). But for most people, a 20-foot truck should be just right.

When is the best time to move to San Diego?

The day of the week and time of year you choose to move can significantly impact your overall moving costs. Here are the best times to move for budget-conscious planners:

  • Expect to save in February: One reliable truth no matter where you’re moving in the U.S. is that it’s going to be more affordable during the winter — and the same is true in southern California. The most wallet-friendly month to move in San Diego is February.
  • Try to move on Mondays: Another helpful insight is the fact that weekdays, and especially Mondays, are prime moving days, as they’re less busy. Avoid rush-hour windows, like early morning and later in the afternoon, and instead aim to start your move at about 11 a.m.

It’s tough to know exactly how much any move will cost (financially, emotionally, or otherwise) at the start of your planning process. But by breaking down the essential choices about your move and using the data above, you can set realistic expectations and set the stage for a successful moving day.

2023 Study: Where, How and Why Are Americans Moving This Year?

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Key Findings

  • More than half (52%) of all moves in America take place in the summer
  • Our survey findings suggest 40% plan on moving at some point this year
  • ‘Family’ (30%) and ‘Wanting More Space’ (25%) are the top reasons for moving this year
  • A total of 38% are moving for financial reasons, such as inflation, cost of living, and housing unaffordability
  • Climate change is a factor mentioned by 15% of Americans planning to move this year
  • 40% of those moving intend to stay within their city, but 18% are set on moving to a different state
  • More than half (55%) of those not moving this year would move if they had the means

 

Every year, millions of Americans move, and over half (52%) of those moves take place during what we in the moving business call “moving season” — otherwise known as the summer months of May through August.

So what does the moving season hold for us this year? To get a sense of how many Americans intend to move, when they’re going to move, and what drives their moving decisions, HireAHelper conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults in the U.S. earlier this month.

 

“The state most people have their sights on is California, where 11% would move if finances weren’t an issue.”

 

38% of Americans we surveyed intend to move at some point in 2023, collectively citing “Family“, “Looking for More Space” and “Wanting To Save Money” as the top reasons. A further 35% would move if they could, but find themselves struggling to afford housing where they want to live, or are struggling to afford the move itself.

Let’s delve into the findings and see how Americans look ahead to the 2023 moving season.


Moves in the Making: Four in Ten Americans Plan To Move in 2023

an illustration of someone taping a box. In the corner it's labeled fragileAs we noted earlier, nearly four in ten (40%) of our survey respondents said they are planning to move at some point this year. 

Moving intent is highest among the younger generation, as almost half (49%) of Gen Z respondents reported a planned move for sometime in 2023. And while this intent is still strong with Millennials (42%), it gradually fades with age, and dropping to a reported 27% for Baby Boomers.

Interestingly enough, Parents (41%) are more likely to be planning a move in 2023 than Non-Parents (36%). That said, that only applied to families with one or two kids. For families with three or more children, the percentage of those staying put exceeds the percentage of prospective movers.

Renters (46%) are more likely to be on the move than Homeowners (30%). However, only 25% of renters who are moving expect to own their next home, as 59% of renters reported moving to another rental.

Where are people leaving?

an illustration of white plates and cups being wrapped in brown packing paper. A currently empty cardboard box sits nearbyAmong people living in America’s biggest metropolitan areas, the intent to move is highest in Washington, D.C. (72%) and Los Angeles, CA (55%). There, the majority of residents we surveyed reported having plans to move at some point this year.

In San Francisco, CA (47%), New York, NY (46%), Philadelphia, PA (46%), and Houston, TX (45%), the share of people who reported intent to move this year fell just below half.

Conversely, within the metros of Charlotte, NC (16%), Orlando, FL (32%), and Chicago, IL (32%), the moving intent is the lowest among all metros with a sufficient number of respondents.

At the state level, New Jersey residents seem most keen to move (56%), whereas those in North Carolina (24%) are least likely to relocate in 2023.


Family, Square Footage and Finances: Top Reasons Why Americans Are Moving in 2023

The number one reason for those intending to move this year was reasons related to “Family” (30%), (such as “Being Closer to Family Members,”) with “Wanting More Space or a Bigger Home” (~25%) being the second most popular choice.

 

“Those who do plan on hiring some help for their move are looking to spend an average of $675…[and those] who expect to move without hired help are looking to keep it at an average of $312.”

 

However, if we look at the financial reasons, we’ll find that many Americans are moving either because of  “Foreclosure/Eviction” (7.5%), “Can’t Afford (Their) Current Housing” (10.7%), “(Moving Somewhere With) A Lower Cost of Living” (15.3%), or “Inflation” (17.2%).

If we add up all the respondents that said at least one of these financial reasons applies to them, the total share of Americans who intended to move due to financial pressures rose to 38%.

an illustration of a canvas wrapped in bubble wrap. it's stood on top of other packed boxes. Granted, the higher rates of inflation from 2022 seem to have leveled out, but our findings suggest that financial pressures continue to compel a significant number of Americans to relocate.

The financial reasons above were mentioned at the following rates by these demographics:

  • Families with children (40%) compared to childless households (37%)
  • People of color (44%) compared to white Americans (36%)
  • Renters (41%) compared to homeowners (35%)

Other popular reasons for moving in 2023 include “New Job” (16.2%), which, in fact, is more popular than moving due to “(Becoming) Unemployed” (9.8%).

Curiously, and unfortunately, more people are moving due to an “End of a Relationship/Divorce” (10.3%) compared to those moving due to a “New Relationship or Got Married” (7.1%).

an illustration of boxes being moved with a dollyOne significant reason that’s beginning to factor into the moving plans of Americans is “Climate Change” (14.9%), which is in fact distinct from “Want Nicer Weather” (10.4%).

According to estimates based on U.S. Census Bureau data, climate change affects some 20,000 moves per year, with experts suggesting that figure is set to increase.


Getting Practical: Planned Moving Distance and Estimated Cost

Based on our survey responses, 40% of people who are planning to move in 2023 are staying within the same city, while 33% intend to leave their current city, yet still stay within the same state.

Impressively, 18% of respondents intend to move to a different state. Specifically among those respondents, their reasons given were for “Better Weather” (38%), a “New Job” (34%), “Being Closer to Family” (21%), and “Seeking a Lower Cost of Living” (21%).

Thinking about the cost of their move, 44% intend to spend between $100 and $500 on moving, with an overall average being slightly higher at $530. This estimate includes buying moving boxes, potentially renting a truck, maybe hiring movers, etc.

Needless to say, not all Americans who plan on moving intend to hire movers, but 52% of them do, while 48% either intend to execute the move themselves or haven’t decided yet.

Those who do plan on hiring some help for their move are looking to spend an average of $675 between boxes, truck rentals, and movers. Those who expect to move without hired help are looking to keep it at an average of $312. (This figure is in line with nationwide averages of moving costs.)

See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.


Would If I Could: Common Barriers Preventing Americans from Moving

Quite a few Americans are planning to move this year, and the number could have been even higher if it weren’t for certain factors keeping people from moving.

Of those respondents that aren’t moving this year or aren’t sure yet, 55% would move if they had the means and opportunity. The main reason they can’t move? They can’t afford it. People claimed they “Can’t Afford To Move” (58%) or they “Can’t Afford Housing Where (They) Want To Live” (38%).

But it’s not just the financial worries that keep Americans from moving. About a quarter of respondents in our survey who’d move if they could selected “Would Be Too Far Away From (Their) Family” (24%), “Worried About Making a Big Change” (25%) or “Worried It May Not Work Out” (27%), respectively.

Perhaps these concerns, as well as the general decline in the percentage of Americans moving partially explains why, our study found that, on average, Americans now move an average of eight times in their lifetime, down from a 2007 estimate of 11.7 times.


Dream Destinations: Where Would Americans Move if Anything Was Possible

One question we asked in our survey was about the state Americans would move to if money was no object. 

The state most people have their sights on is California, where 11% would move if finances weren’t an issue. Notably, Hawaii and Florida were the dream destinations for 9% of Americans, while New York and Colorado were the top choices for an additional 5% of respondents. 

Texas — a state that’s recently been a popular destination for corporate moves — would also be the go-to place to be for 4% of respondents.

A surprising 4% would leave the United States altogether if they could, but as many as 9% of our respondents would not choose to leave their state, even if money was no object.


Sources and Methodology
All data, unless otherwise stated, have been derived from the findings of the survey HireAHelper ran via Pollfish in May 2023. The survey used a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults (18+) living in the United States.
Survey results were weighted by age, gender, and income using data extracted from the American Community Survey’s five-year data, collected from ~120,000 households.

Illustrations by Nero Hamaoui

Los Angeles Moving Guide

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Whether you’re planning a local move in Los Angeles, or arriving to L.A. from another city, you probably already know that your experience can go a lot of different ways depending on the choices you make during your planning phase. A little information can go a long way toward eliminating stress before, during, and after your move.

As someone who’s moved around L.A. and across the U.S., I can assure you that as challenging as moving may be in this city, there are steps you can take to make it much easier. And this is the perfect place to start: A guide to saving time and money when you’re moving in Los Angeles, based on HireAHelper’s data from completing nearly 19,000 household moves across L.A. County.

Hiring Los Angeles Movers

two movers loading a moving truck

The most important factor in how smoothly your move will go is who you hire to help you. Just like in any city, in L.A. you’re going to find a mix of reliable, less reliable, and downright shady movers, so you’ll want to do your research. As a general rule, make sure they’re insured and licensed. It’s also helpful to look through reviews from prior customers and choose a company with lots of positive feedback across platforms.

Los Angeles Moving Options

If you’re moving to Los Angeles, you essentially have three ways to move:

  1. Do It Yourself (DIY). This is the most cost-effective way to move because, as it says on the tin, you’re pretty much planning to do everything yourself: packing boxes, loading your rental truck, and renting that truck in the first place. And while some people in their younger years can get away with bribing friends into helping them with some of that work in exchange for pizza and beer, I can attest that it gets harder and harder to go that route when your friend circle consists of harried adults with packed schedules and back problems.
  2. Hybrid. This type of move is meant to be the best of both worlds — DIY plus hiring a little help. You’ll save some money by renting the truck and doing the driving yourself, and you’ll also find professionals to help with the heavy lifting. This option is also useful if you’re using a storage container to transport your stuff. Professionals are experts at packing trucks and containers, and they’re quicker at it than you’ll be, so you might end up saving yourself time as well as money.    
  3. Full-Service. With full-service moves, you’re not only paying a company to transport your items, but also to load and unload your belongings. They can even help with packing! If it’s within your budget, full-service moving can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders — and when it comes to moving, that pressure can be quite literal. If you’re moving long-distance or across the country, this option is particularly useful, as you can rest assured all the details are taken care of so you can focus on other aspects of your move. A word of caution, though: since you’re dealing with someone else’s timeline, this option is also the least flexible.

Planning Your Los Angeles Move

a woman sits on a chair with a laptop. She's surrounded by packed boxes as she plans a move

After choosing which option above best fits your needs, it’s time to plan the rest of the details. Here are some questions to sort out before hiring movers or otherwise finalizing your Los Angeles move.

How Much Do Movers in Los Angeles Cost?

According to HireAHelper’s data, hiring a moving company in Los Angeles costs $517 on average. This amounts to approximately $172 per hour (using the average time frame for a move). Of course, the price of moving can vary depending on various factors, including how many movers you’re expecting to help and how big of a house you’re moving.

 

“Consider [a medium rental] the Goldilocks of trucks, because it’s “just right” for most standard moves…[and] could fit anywhere from a one-bedroom to a three-bedroom apartment (up to 1,200 square feet).”

 

If you have an outsized number of belongings for your space, if you own any oversized or overweight furniture, or if you have anything especially fragile or difficult to move, make sure to mention this to your movers upfront, as this might factor into your quote. It’s better for everyone to know what to expect before the big day arrives!

The best way to budget is to look at quotes specific to your own move. You can start with this moving cost calculator.

See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.

How Long Does Moving in Los Angeles Take?

If you’re moving an entire house, it’s possible that the move will take almost a full day. On average, moves can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to complete. But generally speaking, the average Los Angeles move is about 3 hours.

How Many Movers Do I Need for my Move in Los Angeles?

Most moving companies will send a minimum of two movers for jobs that will take at least two hours. They might have specific requirements about how many you can, or must, reserve, depending on your move type. You can learn more about how to determine the number of movers you might need here. That being said, most L.A. area moves require two movers, according to data from HireAHelper.

What Size Truck Do I Need When Moving in Los Angeles?

a moving truck full of boxes and furniture parked in front of a line of homes

The size of your moving truck all comes down to the size of your move — and that’s usually roughly estimated in terms of how many rooms you’re moving. Here are some of the standard moving truck sizes to consider:

  • Small Truck (10–13 feet): Technically, this size truck could work for all move sizes if you don’t mind making multiple trips, but if you’re hiring hourly moving help, it’s best to reserve small trucks for moving studio apartments, or about 400–600 square feet of living space.
  • Medium Truck (14–17 feet): Consider this the Goldilocks of trucks, because it’s “just right” for most standard moves. Depending on how much stuff you’ve actually got, this could fit anywhere from a one-bedroom to a three-bedroom apartment (up to 1,200 square feet).
  • Large Truck (18–24 feet): If you live in a full-sized home with up to four bedrooms (1,200–1,800 square feet of living space), then you’ll definitely want this larger truck size.
  • Extra-Large Truck (26+ feet): While I don’t know too many people personally with a minimum of five bedrooms in Los Angeles, I do know they exist. If this describes your home, it’s good to know there are extra-large moving trucks that can hold households of up to 2,400 square feet.

When Is the Best Time to Move in Los Angeles?

a view of the Los Angeles skyline at sunset. Behind the skyscrapers are the San Gabriel mountains.

HireAHelper has collected the following data for the best times to move:

  • Best Time of the Month to Move: The 13th is the least busy day of any calendar month to move in Los Angeles.
  • Best Time of the Week to Move: Los Angeles’s least busy day of the week to move is Sunday.
  • Best Time of the Day to Move: The least busy time of day to start a move in Los Angeles is around 7 a.m.
  • Best Month to Move: This one really depends on your personal situation, like when your lease is up or how much cash you have on hand. If you’re looking to save some mula, Curbed reveals you might be able to get the best deals on rent in L.A. in November. On the other hand, if you care more about real estate scarcity, the best months for unit availability in Los Angeles are November and December, according to RentHop.

Good Luck with Your Move!

Even for the luckiest people, moving in Los Angeles is no walk in the park. My hope is that this guide can save you some headaches and spare your wallet. When you’re ready to take the plunge, explore your moving options with HireAHelper.com.

My Top 10 Moving Tips for Professional Movers

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As movers, we like to move fast and efficiently. But we also like doing everything right.

But there’s truth to the old adage “Work smarter, not harder.” With that phrase in mind, take advantage of these smart moving tricks and hacks I picked up over the years to help you and your crew from working any harder than you need to … but while still doing that 5-star service you’re known for.


1. Set up as SOON as you step off the truck

What’s the first thing we do when we show up for a move? Ring the customer’s doorbell, say hello, and do a walk-through of the place.

Use this opportunity to have a crew member bring stuff you’ll need into the house. As your customer shows you around,

  • Leave a roll of shrink wrap in the living room for the O/S
  • Bring your tools inside/upstairs (along with a few plastic bags!) so you can get right to disassembling the beds
  • Bring in some markers and tape (if there’s any packing to be done) 

Note: Even if you are moving someone into their brand-new home, you’ll still want to bring in tools; they always come in handy. (At minimum, use your free hands to bring in the first few boxes while you’re saying good morning.)

2. Make practical use of the walk-through

Once you’ve seen the upstairs (or the farthest parts of the apartment), grab a box or two and carry them with you back downstairs and/or toward the door. This will keep the move flowing and snappy.

If you need to inventory the customer’s goods first, leave those boxes inside, for now. But if it’s a same-day local move, then carry the beginnings of their stuff out to the garage or driveway (or wherever you’ll be staging things), if not right out onto the truck.

Note: The very beginning is not the time to start hauling heavy furniture down the steps. Leave that sort of stuff for once you’ve got the necessary paperwork signed and the necessary furniture pads prepared.

3. Tape nuts and bolts to the furniture it comes from

Me? I love it when putting a bed frame or a dining room table together, the nuts and bolts are all right there for me, taped in place and waiting for me.

Some people prefer using a parts box, but honestly? Just tape those bits of hardware securely to the bed frame or the underside of the tabletop and you’re good to go.

DON’T tape the bolts THEMSELVES directly to the surface of any metal or wood (please, no!); put all those screws and wing-nuts and everything else in a plastic bag, tape a piece of packing paper around the bed frame or one of the table legs, wrap up that plastic bag of bolts in more paper to prevent any scratches, then tape the protected bag to the bed frame, or the underside, or one leg of the table.

Note: If you are worried about leaving scratches or sticky tape residue on the customer’s bed frame or table leg (or whatever else), or if you just prefer not to tape plastic bags to things, there’s nothing wrong with using a parts box. Go with what works for you.

4. Both you AND the customer should take pictures of everything before you move it!

pictures moving

Before unhooking electronics, it may prove supremely helpful down the road to have pictures of all the cords and wires so we – or the unloaders, or the customer – can see how to hook everything back up again.

The same goes for anything else we will be disassembling: exercise equipment, partition furniture, and even something as simple as a dresser mirror. Of course, take pictures of any pre-existing damage you find, whether it be on an item or somewhere in the customer’s home (e.g., a scratch on the floor or a nick in the wall.)

Note: I recommend using a filesharing website like Dropbox or wetransfer for photos. Both you and the customer can send their pictures to one online folder created specifically for that move.

5. It’s almost always better to empty heavy furniture before moving it

moving furniture

Sure, it might make sense to transport a dresser as is, without emptying it and packing all those clothes in boxes. But depending on how bulky and heavy that dresser is, or how treacherous a staircase might be, to first take out all the drawers and carry them downstairs (and maybe all the way out to the truck). A dresser without its drawers (and all the clothing inside) weighs a lot less than it does when full, making it easier to maneuver without any danger of a drawer sliding out and crashing into the wall or onto the floor.

6. Try shoulder straps 

shoulder straps furniture movers
photo credit: northerntool.com

Shoulder straps are for when we are faced with a heavy piece of furniture and a narrow staircase. If you have furniture straps, great, If not, you can use ratchet straps (as long as you remove the part with the ratchet). Either way, using straps can make it a lot easier to control a heavy piece as you ease it down those stairs. Slide it down if it has a sturdy, flat surface (pad it up first!). Otherwise, lift it and go down one step at a time.

7. Pad-up the furniture at the truck, not inside

Sure, if you are going to slide a piece of furniture down a set of stairs you’ll absolutely want to pad it first, and pad it very well.

But for furniture you are simply going to carry out to the truck, wait until later to pad it up. Why? No matter how securely you tape your furniture pads in place, they are bound to slip once you try to carry what they are wrapped around. Your mileage may vary, but I always found it much easier to handle furniture that was not padded, and much more importantly, much faster not to have to do the same thing twice.

8. Save your back with a “set box”

movers van set box

A set box is a box for putting other boxes on top of, and it saves everyone a lot of unnecessary bending and lifting.

Whether moving your customer in or out, it’s a great idea to have a few solid boxes left at key loading or unloading places; when you have one crewmember or two hauling boxes out of the house to the staging area and another crewmember or two hauling them onto the truck, a set box on either end will speed you up!

9. Tape cardboard OVER a furniture pad that’s covering glass

furniture pad cardboard

It’s common — and smart — to place a piece of cardboard over the front of a china hutch or a curio, or any piece of furniture with glass that can not be removed and wrapped. Usually, this is done before wrapping the piece up in furniture pads. But for an extra layer of protection — and to give everyone a clear warning that there is glass under that pad — tape another piece of cardboard over the glass ON TOP OF the furniture pad.

10. Bring towels

mover with a towel

In hot weather, we sweat. In bad weather, things get wet. In any case, it’s a great idea to have a few towels on hand.

Have CLEAN towels for your crew to wipe the sweat off their hands and arms (and faces and legs too). Have some big old towels your crew can use to wipe their feet and keep the truck ramps as well as the inside of the truck as dry and safe as possible.


And one final tip: Please, don’t run. Yes, we are movers. We love to move. But one missed step, one uneven edge, one loose rock and your extra hustle could lead to a whole lot of hurt, not to mention a slowdown for the rest of the job and maybe beyond.

“Work smarter, not harder.” To that, I’d add, “Work safely.”

Should You Use Salt or Sand on an Icy Driveway?

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Slipping and falling on an icy driveway is bad enough when you’re only holding your car keys. So imagine wiping out while carrying a box full of books or a dresser full of clothes.

As a mover, I’ve seen it. And it’s flippin’ scary.

Winter is one of the cheapest times to move, but with the snow and ice of the season comes the potential for serious injury to you or your movers. Being the forward-thinking person that you are, you might already be contemplating, “should I cover my front walk and driveway with salt or sand?”

To help you make the best choice, here is the rundown on each, and some more information on how to keep your pathways and driveways as slip-free as possible. 


First, Shovel the Area You’re Going To Be Walking On

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s easier to shovel snow than it is to get rid of ice, so it makes good sense to keep your front walk, your driveway, and the sidewalk in front of your house clear and clean.

In other words: Don’t wait until the night before or the morning of your move to start shoveling!

If you live where temperatures can remain below freezing for days on end (if not weeks—hello, Minnesota!), it becomes more important to keep shoveling, multiple times over multiple days if necessary, to keep all that snow from getting packed down and turned into ice.

But what if Mother Nature insists on coating the driveway with snow and ice in the hours leading up to your move? Then it’s time for a quicker cure.

Should I Use Sand or Salt?

To summarize the difference between salt or sand for snow and ice:

Sand simply covers up snow and ice. Salt melts snow and ice.

Which is better depends on how cold it is, and how much you care if it gets into the environment. In either case, the biggest priority is traction. So let’s compare.

The case for sand

Pros:

  • Less toxic
  • Comparatively cheaper
  • Works immediately

Cons:

  • Needs to be reapplied
  • Might not work in extremely cold temperatures
  • Can collect in drainage systems and make it into waterways

Sand is an easy, cheap, and quick solution to your icy problems. Dump out a few bags and spread it around, and you instantly have a safer place to walk. However, since sand provides traction, once it gets ground into the snow or ice it becomes less effective. Considering how many times you or your movers will be walking back and forth on it, you’ll likely have to put more down once or twice during the move. It can also freeze into hazardous clumps in really extreme temperatures. 

 

“Get an idea of how much square footage you’ll need to cover before you run out to grab that salt or sand. If a sales assistant isn’t there to help, you might find how much you need right on the bag.”

 

Keep in mind that there are several different varieties of sand, as well. There is stuff explicitly meant for icy roads and surfaces, which is the best. If you don’t have access to that, sandbox sand will also work well, and certainly better than mason’s sand. In general, the grittier the sand is, the better.

And be sure to clean up after yourself! Sweep up the sand yourself, incentivize your kids, or pay someone else to do the work, but don’t leave it around, otherwise too much will wash away into the drainage systems. Check out the advice at HowToDisposeOf for tips on what to do with that sand once you’re done with it. 

The case for salt

salt or sand

Pros:

  • Gets rid of the ice by melting it away, instead of just covering it up
  • Specifically designed for this process, so there’s a lot of availability and choice
  • No need to reapply it once it’s cleared the ice

Cons:

  • Takes some time to begin working, so you need to apply it hours to a full day in advance
  • Can damage property and lawns, or potentially be harmful to pets
  • Won’t work below certain temperatures

You likely already know that salt gets rid of ice and snow, but you might not be familiar with how it does this. Driveway salt (sometimes called “rock salt”) doesn’t melt ice like a flamethrower would. Instead, when mixed with water, it forms a liquid brine — a fancy name for salt water — which has a lower freezing point than pure water. This brine then lowers the freezing point of the water it comes in contact with, effectively melting it. Although only down to a certain degree; brine that is 20% salt will still freeze below 0˚F.

 

“If you live where temperatures can remain below freezing for days on end…it becomes even more important to keep shoveling, multiple times over multiple days if necessary, to keep all that snow from getting packed down and turned into ice.”

 

However, this melting process takes time. So don’t toss salt around an hour before your movers pull up to your house and expect all the ice to be gone.

In addition, salt can cause damage to your property. It can rust metal, and crack most driveway and pathway surfaces due to repeated freezing/thawing cycles breaking down the integrity of the material. And you should keep animals away from the stuff in general. Not only will driveway salt cause contact burns if it gets in between pets’ paws, but it contains trace amounts of cyanide, which may cause issues for local wildlife as well as your furry friends.

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Don’t like these choices? There are alternatives!

Alternatives to salt would more accurately be called “variations of salt” and have a spectrum of merits. While you can probably find any of these at a store, which one to pick is most dependent on exactly how cold it is where you are.

  • Calcium chloride (CaCl): At around minus 25˚F, it has a lower freezing point than rock salt. It also works more quickly because it gives off heat as it dissolves. However, calcium chloride is corrosive to metal and can leave a slimy residue. It also encourages algae growth which clogs waterways.
  • Magnesium chloride: Somewhat less corrosive than calcium chloride, it will begin to absorb moisture from the air at 32% humidity, speeding up the melting process.
  • Potassium chloride (KCl): Despite its use for executions by lethal injection, is safer for pets and plants than calcium chloride. But with a freezing point of around 12˚F, it is also less effective.
  • Nitrogen-based urea products: Like nitrogen-based fertilizers, this salt is ineffective under 20˚F and will eventually get into the water supply, lakes, and streams.
  • Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): Can prevent ice down to around minus 27˚F and is much more environmentally friendly than the abovementioned salts — at a much higher price.

Are there any eco-friendly or pet-friendly alternatives?

salt or sand

With all the pros and cons of these salts and chemicals, you may be wondering if there’s an option out there that’s safe for your pets and the environment. 

The good news is that there are many pet-friendly alternatives to rock salt out there. Even better, these also tend to be the ones that are easier on the environment as well. However, if your concern runs really deep, your best bet is to look at the ingredients on any brand that claims to be pet or eco-friendly and research what effects it can have.

Grist has a list of a few alternatives to rock salt in an editorial. GreenMoxie also offers some advice and options. 

But what everyone seems to agree on — including us — is that there’s no better way to keep your driveway and your front walk clear of ice than with a little elbow grease. It’s much better to simply prevent the snowmelt from becoming thick ice in the first place, so grab that shovel and get to work as early and as often as necessary.  

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And a few more tips

  • To reiterate: salt and sand the day before your move, if you can. Clear away any chunks or other bits to help keep it all from refreezing overnight.
  • If you absolutely have to apply salt the morning of your move? The heat from all the foot traffic will help the melting process, but in the meantime, scattering some sand on top wouldn’t hurt.
  • Get an idea of how much square footage you’ll need to cover before you run out to grab that salt or sand. If a sales assistant isn’t there to help, you might find how much you need right on the bag.

Not only will your movers love you for taking the time and effort to make sure their path is clear and safe, but it will undoubtedly make the process much faster than if you hadn’t bothered to get rid of all the ice and snow.

The Stuff That’s Illegal To Bring Into California

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From stunning national parks and perfect sandy beaches to those big-screen Hollywood dreams and beyond, it’s no wonder close to 40 million people like to call California home. But The Golden State is also an economic powerhouse, with a GDP larger than all but a handful of the world’s countries, and a fair chunk of that GDP comes from agriculture. 

Protecting all the fun and farmland begins right at the California border, with officers at sixteen different checkpoint stations enforcing the rules and prohibitions that keep the Golden State running.

To help you cruise through without incident and get to your new home as smoothly and quickly as possible, we’re laying out all the major rules right here about what you can and can’t bring with you.


Pets, livestock, and other animals

animals

 

Here’s some good news: bringing common household pets into California is not a problem at all! Cat owners in particular have it easy: the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) doesn’t require any documentation for domestic felines. On the other hand, dogs require proof of rabies vaccination, but nothing else.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) offers an impressive list of animals that can not be imported into the state. Interestingly, there seem to be no restrictions on the American bison.

 

“One large category of prohibited items might surprise you, and that’s all citrus plants. California is particularly serious about barring all of it, including loose pieces of citrus fruit, from being brought into the state.”

 

The DFW also offers information on restricted species. If you aren’t sure where your iguana stands, check directly with the authorities in your specific region

And for all you farmers and ranchers out there, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has information on importing livestock and poultry.

Licensing your dog or cat in California once you’ve moved in is mandated and enforced locally. Check with your city or county for your specific required actions – preferably before you arrive.

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Alcohol, marijuana, and other cannabis products

As long as you are 21 or older you are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into California provided it is for personal or household use. Transporting alcohol into the state for commercial or business purposes requires a license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Persons 21 and older are also legally permitted to possess and use marijuana within the limits of state and (beware) local laws.

 

“[The] AG requires that you…do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer, or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.”

 

But, there’s a caveat when it comes to transportation of it. Under current federal law, it is illegal to transport marijuana or any cannabis products (like edibles) across state lines. So as you peruse California’s laws regarding using and growing and keeping marijuana in your car, understand that this only applies once you are in-state

In short, feel free to bring your Budwiser along (and make sure you pack and move it correctly), but leave your bud behind.

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Open Container Laws

Article 2 Section 23223(a) of California’s State Vehicle Code states it is illegal for any person operating a motor vehicle on California’s highways or public roads to have in their possession “any bottle, can, or other receptacle, containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.” The same goes for any passenger, as stated in 23223(b).

Section 23225 states that the above may not be kept in a vehicle unless it is in the trunk, or out of reach if there is no trunk, or as a last resort inside a locked container.

The same rules apply to cannabis, in a container or otherwise, as stated in Section 23222.

All the detailed (and strangely repetitive) laws can be found right here, starting with the “no drinking or smoking weed by any driver or passenger” law of Section 23220.

 

Firearms and weapons

california illegal

Make of it what you will, but California is tougher on huckleberries than they are on handguns. As California’s Attorney General states regarding firearms information for new California residents:

 

Any person transporting handguns into California is required under California law to transport those handguns unloaded and in a locked container other than the glove compartment or utility compartment of a vehicle.”

 

In addition, the AG requires that you, as a gun owner, do one of three things within sixty days of moving to California: register your firearm, sell it to a licensed dealer (or to a third party through a licensed dealer), or sell it to the police or sheriff’s department.

While there is no specific mention of the legality of bringing shotguns or rifles into the state, under the Transporting Firearms in California section, the AG explains that these non-concealable firearms are not required to be transported in a locked container, but must be unloaded while in transit.

And just in case you were wondering, it would be best not to try to bring your assault weapon across the California border – or any border for that matter.

 

“Licensing your dog or cat in California once you’ve moved in is mandated and enforced locally. Check with your city or county for your specific required actions – preferably before you arrive.”

 

Unlike firearms (and much more like huckleberries), California “generally prohibits” a wide variety of weapons. California Penal Code 16590 lists nunchucks, cane swords, and lipstick case knives among the wide array of weapons that, if you have them, can land you in hot water. A pity for the aspiring spy, but it’s best to leave all of these behind if you’re moving to California.

 

Plants and produce

california illegal

California is right to be protective of its $30 billion agricultural industry. An outbreak of invasive insects and pests could wreak havoc on the economy of the state, and the supply of fruits and vegetables across the country. Therefore, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is not shy about stopping potential disasters at the border.

Houseplants that have not been grown outside are generally allowed, as long as they are potted in commercially sold soil and not dirt from your old backyard. If a plant shows any sign of infestation or disease it will quickly be confiscated. For more detailed guidelines check out these Q&A by the CDFA 

One large category of prohibited items might surprise you, and that’s all citrus plants. California is particularly serious about barring all of it, including loose pieces of citrus fruit, from being brought into the state. Many other fruits, as well as a number of nuts and vegetables, are also prohibited. This extensive list by the CDFA lays out all the fun and surprises.

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The process — and sometimes the long wait — at California’s border stations can seem like an unnecessary hassle when you’re sitting there in your loaded-up vehicle. But California alone produces a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. It makes sense for them to be tough.

Doing your part when you make your move to Cali makes their job, and the long lines, a little easier to take.


Illustrations by Marlowe Dobbe

5 Ways To (Possibly) Get Customers To Tip You More

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People all over the internet are constantly asking, “How much should I tip my movers?”

Sometimes, my customers would ask me directly what a standard tip would be. Call me crazy, but I would give them two different amounts: one a little below what I thought was average for that job, and another that was higher. I’d tell them that would be the normal range for a tip corresponding to the job we were doing for them.

Then I’d challenge my crew to make the customer want to give them that higher amount.

Customers might have a general idea of what they’ll tip their movers, but for some of them, it doesn’t take much to make them want to give more (or less). The following are a few ways (aside from generally being great movers, naturally) to give yourself and your crew a shot at a happier customer.


1. Show up early, but just a little!

Customers universally stress about two things on move day:

  1. Being all ready and having the movers not show.
  2. Having the movers show and not being ready.

(Some customers stress about both, simultaneously.)

Calling each customer the day before their move is a no-brainer, and so is showing up on time. You can do one better though, by showing up five or ten minutes early — but let them know over the phone you’d be happy to wait a few minutes until they are ready for you to get rolling, if they’d like.

If they aren’t quite ready, they’ll appreciate the gesture. If they are ready, they’ll say so. Either way, the show will be off to a positive start.

Protip: While It may seem harmless to tell the customer you are ready whenever they are, this sometimes leaves you sitting in your truck for half an hour while the customer slowly finishes breakfast. Try phrasing it along the lines of, “We’re happy to wait five or ten minutes.” This gives them a bit of breathing room without opening up the door to your schedule being destroyed for the day.

2. After you arrive, go over your game plan with the customer

mover with customer

Once you’ve done your walk-through, let your customer know exactly what’s coming. This is huge!

Make sure to tell them things like:

  • Which rooms you’ll be tackling first
  • What you’ll be taking apart
  • Where you’ll be staging stuff
  • If you might have to remove any doors or stairwell light fixtures to keep the risk of damage to a minimum
  • What the timeframe goals everyone should be trying to hit are

Also worth mentioning is if one mover is going to be mostly on the truck doing the loading; communicate that to the customer so they don’t start wondering why their move is short a worker who’s just hanging out outside all morning.

Protip: You also need to let them know what you need from them.

This could mean keeping their kids and pets from getting stepped on, making sure hallways and staircases are clear, and generally being available in case any issues arise (not that they should expect any problems). Also, if it applies, let them know you’ll be taking thirty minutes for lunch and ask them if there is a specific timeframe that might be convenient for you to do so; they may need and appreciate the chance to run a quick errand.

The point here is to give them a sense that you know what you are doing beyond just hauling everything out the door.

3. Give them their own space you won’t touch

On moving day, customers can be as busy as their movers.

You might overhear them canceling utilities, cleaning the bathtub, wrapping things up with the landlord, and all while working remotely. Make things a bit easier for them by suggesting ahead of time that, if necessary, they designate a room that the movers know to leave alone.

Alternatively, ask them if they could use some kitchen counter space to keep any paperwork, notebooks, pen and paper, phone chargers and any other miscellaneous things they’d like to keep handy. Anything in that designated space can be recognized as stuff the movers should ignore and not put on the truck.

4. Keep your own stuff out of their house

messy house
Don’t do this.

I know it makes sense to leave your Gatorade in an easy-to-grab place as you haul stuff in or out of the house. When things heat up, you may be tempted to shed that sweatshirt before you finish packing the kitchen. Or if it’s raining, maybe you just want to keep a towel handy, to keep your hands dry.

We work best when we’re safe, but let’s not confuse that with overly comfortable. Leaving drinks, shirts and towels lying around the customer’s home might not make a welcome impression, especially if the whole crew is doing it. Who knows? They may not care. But in either case, they likely won’t say. Try and keep all of your items on the truck.

If the customer offers you and your crew drinks, gratefully accept and then either leave them where the customer put them out for you, or bring them out to the truck.

Protip: Tape, shrink wrap and hand trucks are a different story — sort of. If you need them, keep them handy. But as soon as you’re finished with them, get them out. If there’s equipment all over the place, it’s a subconscious stressor for the customer at minimum.

5. Look every bit the pro you are

movers

Very early in my career, I got a tongue-lashing from the owner of the moving company I was working for.

My crime? Wearing jeans on the job.

He said I looked like some random guy they just picked up off the street who he gave a t-shirt to wear. And quite frankly, he was right.

You may have made a great impression over the phone. You may have looked sharp when you went to their house to give them an estimate. But when the entire crew shows up on move day, how you look matters. And if this is your crew, investing in uniforms is a big step toward becoming a “real” business. Hey, I know you don’t need a tongue-lashing from me, so I won’t bother with the style details; you know what to do.

Protip: I should also mention that how you talk matters too. Err on the side of politeness first use “Mr.” and “Ms.” or “sir” and “ma’am” first, and only change if they ask you to call them otherwise. 


At the end of the day, just do the job safely and correctly

furniture pads packed neatly in a moving truck

Impressing your customer with these extra touches might help make them feel generous when everything is on or off the truck, but at the end of the day, how well you do your job remains the biggest factor in scoring a nice tip from your customer. (After all, being super polite won’t negate the fact that half their stuff is damaged.)

Keep in mind there will always be customers who will tip you by buying lunch instead of simply giving you cash. There will also be those who won’t offer you a thing. It’s not the greatest feeling; I’ve been there more times than I care to remember. But that’s part of the job, unfortunately.

But for those customers who are inclined to tip you, and just haven’t decided how much, every little thing you can do to impress and instill confidence will help your crew feel well compensated for their 5-star move.

How To Start a Business: 5 Steps to Opening a Legit Moving Company

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On the surface, starting a moving company may look simple: get a truck, hire a reliable crew, and start finding customers.

But anyone who has actually started a moving company will tell you there’s a lot more to starting a moving company. (We’re talking about confusing stuff, like obtaining the proper licenses.)

Below, we’re going to tackle the potentially complicated process of getting your moving company on the map.

Business 101: The Four Business Types

Before you get started, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the four basic company structures. Here are their descriptions from the Corporate Finance Institute:

  • Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure and involves one individual who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business. Also, from a tax perspective, the incomes and expenses of the business are included in the tax return of the owner.

The business is not required to file separate income tax forms from the owner since the business does not exist as a separate legal entity from its owner. The owner is required to file Form 1040, and the form must include Schedule C and Schedule SE for self-employment tax.

  • Partnership

A partnership is a form of business structure that comprises two or more owners. It is the simplest form of business structure for a business with two or more owners. A partnership shares a lot of similarities with a sole proprietorship. For example, the business does not exist as a separate legal entity from its owners, and therefore, the owners and the entity are treated as one person.

When filing taxes, the profits and losses of the business are passed on to the partners, and each partner is required to report the information in Form 1065 with their personal tax returns. Also, partners are required to pay self-employment tax, depending on their share of the enterprise’s profits.

  • Corporation

A corporation is a type of business structure that gives the entity a separate legal entity from its owners. It is complex and expensive to set up, and it requires the owners to comply with more tax requirements and regulations…

…When an organization intends to go public through the issue of common stock to the public, it must first be incorporated as a corporation. Corporations are required to pay both federal and state taxes, while the shareholders are required to disclose their dividend payments when filing their personal income taxes.

  • LLC

A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid business structure that combines the best of both worlds, i.e., it possesses the characteristics of both partnerships and corporations. It provides personal liability protection to business owners while reducing tax and business requirements. The profits and losses of the business are passed through to the owners, and each business owner is required to include a share of the profits/losses in their personal tax returns.

Also, unlike an S-corporation, which is subject to a limit of 100 shareholders, there is no limit to the number of shareholders in a limited liability company.

You may need to make a decision before beginning the actual registration process. Though it’s very probable if you’re just starting out, we’re talking sole proprietorship or partnership status here.

The Five Major Steps To Starting a Moving Company

The process for registering and licensing your moving company involves five basic steps. Well, I say basic, but that doesn’t automatically mean easy. (Remember, we’re dealing with the government here!)

But just like moving someone out of their house goes one piece at a time, so goes the process for getting your moving company up and running.

Step 1: Fulfill your state’s permit and license requirements

This includes registering your business, obtaining tax identification numbers, and nailing down the necessary insurance. Click on your state and go directly to the people who can tell you exactly what forms you need to fill out for YOUR state.

State  New Business Information Permit and License Information 
Alabama Guide for starting a business  Motor Carrier Certificate Application 
Alaska Small business support Business license
Arizona Small business information Business services
Arkansas New business registration HHG mover permit
California How to start a business HHG mover permit
Colorado How to start a business HHG mover permit
Connecticut New business registration HHG mover permit
Delaware New business Information Business license
Florida Starting a business Mover registration
Georgia Registering a business HHG intrastate carrier certificate
Hawaii Starting a business  Motor carrier certificate
Idaho Starting a business Permit Information
Illinois Small Business resources HHG mover permit
Indiana Starting a business HHG mover permit
Iowa New business information Motor carrier permit
Kansas Starting a business Motor carrier directory
Kentucky Starting a business HHG permit
Louisiana Starting a business HHG permit
Maine Starting a business Business License
Maryland Starting a business HHG Permit
Massachusetts Starting a business Operation permit
Michigan New business guide Mover permit
Minnesota Starting a business HHG permit
Mississippi Starting a business Licensing
Missouri Starting a business Business permit
Montana SmallBiz Startup guide Business permit
Nebraska Starting a business HHG permit
Nevada Starting a business HHG Permit
New Hampshire Registering a business Moving company license
New Jersey Registering a business Certificate for operating
New Mexico Registering a business Certificate for operating
New York New business requirements HHG permit
North Carolina Starting a business Motor carrier license
North Dakota Starting a business HHG permit
Ohio Starting a business Forms and fees
Oklahoma Starting a business HHG permit
Oregon Starting a business Motor carrier registration
Pennsylvania Starting a business Special Registrations
Rhode Island Starting a business Motor carrier license
South Carolina Starting a business HHG permit
South Dakota Starting a business Business license
Tennessee Business startup guide HHG permit
Texas Start a business Motor carrier registration
Utah Business registration Intrastate Registration
Vermont Business registration Commercial Vehicles Operations
Virginia Business Registration HHG permit
Washington Business license HHG permit
Washington, DC Business registration Registration requirements
West Virginia Starting a business Motor carrier license
Wisconsin Business registration Motor carrier application
Wyoming Starting a business DOT operation information

Pro Tip: Right off the bat, determine whether you need a state license to operate as a moving company. Some states — Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Maryland, Delaware and DC — have in the past been delegated as states that do not outright require such licensing. But times change, so check!

Step 2: Obtain a “USDOT#” (U.S. Dept. of Transportation Number)

Simply put, if you are planning on operating across state lines, you will need a United States Department of Transportation number.

If your business will be conducted entirely within your own state, you may or may not need one. (Some states require them locally, others don’t.) The FMCSA breaks it all down here.

If you do need a USDOT# to operate legally in your state, you can go here to get started.

Note the government’s warning that… “Everyone that registers with FMCSA is required to understand and comply with all applicable Federal safety regulations before registering.”

Those safety regulations can be found here.

Step 3: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements for moving trucks

If your business is more than just labor and you plan to be operating a vehicle, you will need to become compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Which registration and operational requirements you are subject to depends on whether you are operating interstate or intrastate (that means operating across at least two states, or inside just one). Either way, there will be requirements for you to fulfill. Some of them include:

  • Having a USDOT#
  • Getting a “safety rating”
  • Minimum levels of insurance required
  • Financial reporting requirements
  • Mandated checklist of safety requirements for your vehicle(s)
  • Having qualified drivers

The FMCSA lays out all these details and more over here.

The FMCSA also lists all the steps in the registration/application process (as well as information on state requirements, safety programs, and maintaining/updating your USDOT status down the road) right here.

Step 4: Check for government help for your small business

An important resource for starting any business (wherever or however you plan to operate) is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Some things the SBA can help you with include:

  • Government business loans
  • Free business counseling
  • Home & business disaster loans
  • Federal government contracting

Check them out. Because when you’re starting a business, it never hurts to have extra help.

Step 5: Get listed on mover marketplaces and start generating reviews ASAP

After you’ve got your licenses, equipment, funding, and a crew, you are good to go!

But if you’re serious about generating customers and starting a real, you know, business, the best thing to get your company in front of potential customers is to list your website on free moving marketplaces. (If it’s a website that only lets verified customers review you instead of randos on the internet, that’s obviously better.)

And don’t ever pay anyone to be listed somewhere online — it should be free for your company if it’s legit.

Get your website listed on websites customers in your area are searching on

After all, there’s no point in going through all this effort without putting your company online for people to find. What’s a moving company without people to move?

This Is Why Shrink Wrap Is Essential for Moving

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Some call it “plastic wrap”, others say “stretch wrap”, and movers in a hurry call it “shrink”. But the most common name for that huge roll of sticky sheet plastic that movers use? It’s just “shrink wrap”.

Shrink wrap resembles Saran Wrap, but it’s bigger – about eighteen inches long – and it’s as thick and heavy as a log. While Saran Wrap covers your leftovers, shrink wrap covers your couch to protect it from dirt and more importantly, keep everything in place while moving.

Despite its name, there’s nothing small about shrink. It’s claimed its place as a staple in the toolbox of every moving team. This is why I’m going to share why using shrink wrap is so important and how you should be using it for your next move

Why do movers always use shrink wrap?

Some might say that the sky’s the limit when imagining how you can use shrink wrap. Once I witnessed wo of my fellow crew members, who were in the process of tackling a garage, enclose an entire plastic shelving system with everything still on the shelves as an alternative to packing everything on those shelves in boxes. It actually worked! (Although, I don’t recommend it.)

Most professional movers use shrink wrap for three things:

  • To keep dust and dirt off of upholstered furniture (“OS”, in mover-language)
  • To keep furniture pads in place around larger items like OS, major appliances, pianos, large TVs, and heavy tabletops
  • To keep things safely in place. This means keeping drawers from sliding out of your dresser, keeping the cushions on your sofa and loveseat from falling off and getting dirty (or lost); and keeping the doors on your china cabinet or armoire from suddenly swinging open and breaking right off their hinges

Now that we have covered why movers use it, let’s talk about how to use it. It might be a little harder than it looks.

How do you use shrink wrap?

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The whole point of using shrink wrap is to create a tight protective layer of plastic over whatever you are wrapping. You’ll notice pretty quickly that shrink wrap doesn’t generally stick to your stuff; it only sticks to itself. So if you don’t have a shrink wrap dispenser and are shrink wrapping, say, your sofa, you’ll need to do the following:

  • Either tie the end of the plastic wrap around one leg of your sofa, or have your friend hold the end of the plastic in place against one side or corner of the sofa
  •  Walk backward with your shrink wrap in your hands, letting it unroll as you go, circling until you overlap the end of the roll (and probably your friend’s hands)

From there, with your shrink wrap now stuck in place, keep circling your sofa (or china cabinet or tool chest) until it’s safe enough to be loaded into the truck.

shrink wrap dispenser
A shrink wrap dispenser will set you back around $50, but can expedite a pack job, especially for junior crew members.

Important Mover Tips for Using Shrink Wrap

As we mentioned, the secret is wrapping tightly to keep the plastic from sagging and becoming useless. I recommend doing these things to ensure you’re using shrink wrap like a pro on all your moves.

Always wear work gloves when using it

Some shrink wrap comes with handles on either end, making it look like a big rolling pin. But I find that these handles just get in the way, especially when you try to wrap the bottom edge of your upholstered sofa or heavy dresser.

It’s much easier to hold your roll of shrink wrap loosely, letting it unroll around your fingers as you go. But be careful before you find out the hard way that the friction of the spinning roll of shrink wrap will burn the skin right off your fingers, kind of like a rope burn, but potentially much worse. Trust me. Find some decent gloves.

Don’t let your shrink wrap fall or roll on the ground

Suppose you drop it on the floor and damage one edge of the roll. The fall can cause the plastic to shred (!) as you unroll it over your furniture, and that will most likely result in you throwing that now-useless thing out the window in a rage of frustration because the stuff is also expensive!

Likewise, don’t roll it across the floor, or your driveway, or the floor of your truck or container. Even one small rock can nick the surface, causing the plastic to pull apart in pieces the next time you try to use it. Feel free to test me on this if you don’t believe me, but I will not be held responsible for your ruined roll of shrink wrap or the window you throw it through.

shrink wrap

Don’t use shrink wrap on wood and other specific surfaces without an extra layer of coverage 

One of the most common uses of shrink wrap is for OS and mattresses (But I strongly recommend reusable mattress bags over one-time landfill-filling shrink wrap). Wrapping OS and mattresses with shrink wrap generally does not cause problems because it won’t adhere to the fabric and damage it.

On the other hand, shrink wrap can get stuck to wood, vinyl, even metal. This is crucial for long-distance moves and items that are going into storage. Over time and in extreme temperatures, shrink wrap will stick to your wooden dining room chairs, your leather couch, and maybe the surfaces of your fridge. And it may never completely come off.

To guard against this, cover these items in furniture pads or thick brown Kraft paper sheets before wrapping them tightly in shrink wrap. “Tightly” is the key word here, because if it is not tight, it will not hold those pads or sheets of brown paper in place, and your fridge will slip right out of your hands.

Don’t ever lock in any moisture

While shrink wrap’s primary purpose is to keep dust and dirt away, completely sealing your sofa in the stuff can backfire. If moisture gets trapped inside and has no way of escaping, you can end up with mold (the black, blue, and green stuff) and mildew (the white stuff) all over your living room set. Again, extended time and extreme temperatures can exacerbate the situation. Be sure to leave a few openings when you wrap your OS (and everything else).

Don’t squeeze too tight!

As mentioned, shrink wrap should be stretched tight (within reason) when used. This of course, means pressure on what is being wrapped. So if you pull it too tight around your dining room chairs or your coffee table, you might snap the legs right off. This applies to any other pieces of furniture with legs, like upright pianos, sideboard tables, and the rare dining room or kitchen table with legs that don’t detach.

Similarly, I don’t advise shrink-wrapping cheap IKEA-type furniture. That bookcase you bought and put together yourself was probably not made to withstand a three-day bear hug.


Upholstered furniture will likely not get irrevocably dusty after one day in the back of your rental truck. Tape is often effective enough to keep furniture pads – and dresser or armoire doors – in place. 

However, if stuff is going into storage for a while, and you want to make sure everything remains safe and protected, shrink wrap might be a worthwhile investment, and it’s always important to keep some in stock back at headquarters. 

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