Moving to a new home is both an exciting and stressful experience. There are so many steps involved in the moving process that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Whether you’re planning a long-distance or local NJ move, professional moving companies can help you with almost every step of the process. If you want to save yourself some time and potential heartache, consider a full-service move.
What Does a Full-Service Move Entail?
As the name suggests, full-service NJ movers will do everything associated with a move. That includes:
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- Providing all packing materials and supplies – no need to save up boxes or purchase packing tape, bubble wrap, or anything else. The movers will provide everything your move needs, which includes things like furniture blankets and additional padding to keep your belongings and walls safe!
- Packing everything – no one enjoys packing, and it is generally the most time-consuming part of a move. With a full-service move, the packers will pack everything for you in a fraction of the time it would take you. The highly trained crew knows exactly how to pack boxes in an efficient and safe manner for transport and, of course, knows how to handle fragile and valuable items. Plus, if the movers pack items themselves, your belongings are protected should anything get damaged.
Full-Service vs. Self-Service Moves
| Feature | Full-Service Move | Self-Service Move |
|---|---|---|
| Packing | Movers provide all materials and do the packing for you | You buy supplies and pack everything yourself |
| Furniture Disassembly/Reassembly | Included for most items | You handle it yourself or hire extra help |
| Loading & Unloading | Movers handle all heavy lifting | You load and unload the truck yourself |
| Transport | The movers’ truck included | You rent a truck or trailer |
| Unpacking | Movers unpack boxes and place items in rooms | You unpack everything yourself |
| Time Required | Often completed in hours (depending on home size) | It can take days or weeks |
| Effort Level | Low – mostly supervision | High – physically demanding |
| Cost | Higher upfront cost, but saves time and stress | Lower upfront cost, but more labor-intensive and time-consuming |
- Furniture disassembly – while many movers provide basic disassembly service of your furniture, full-service movers will provide more thorough disassembly and, in many cases, reassembly upon reaching the destination.
- Truck loading and unloading +- there’s no need for you to carry anything except your essentials bag and whatever items the movers cannot put inside their truck. Otherwise, leave the rest to the professionals.
- Transport – This should go without saying, but included in all moving packages (even the basic one), the movers will use their own truck to transport your belongings from one location to another. They’ll even manage things like parking.
- Unpacking – Full-service NJ movers don’t just pack your house; they also unpack. While the movers will have labeled the boxes according to the room they were in, make sure to provide some direction on where items should go so you don’t have to do too much redecorating.
- Disposal of packing materials – say goodbye to cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap. Full-service movers will remove all packing materials and supplies once they have unpacked and unloaded everything. That means you don’t have to spend time breaking down boxes and separating recycling.
Of course, you shouldn’t assume all of these are included in a full-service move. Always ask beforehand to make sure they are offering you what you need.
How Much Does it Cost?
As you might expect, a full-service move will cost you significantly more than a basic move where you do the packing and disassembling yourself. Costs vary based on the size of your move, the distance they need to travel, the time of year, and more. Always get an estimate from several full-service moving companies so you can compare prices and make an informed decision. Don’t forget to ask if they have any promotional sales going on at the moment or if discounts if you belong to a certain group, like a student, senior citizen, or veteran.
How Long Will it Take?
Packing and moving yourself can take days or sometimes even weeks. When you hire a full-service mover, they can finish in a few hours, depending on the size of your move. In order to provide you with an accurate time frame, the movers will need to do an in-person or virtual tour of your home to take stock of your belongings. Unless you have a lot to move, most full-service movers can pack everything up in a three-bedroom home in under 4 hours.
Time Saved with Full-Service Moves
| Home Size | Packing Time (DIY) | Packing Time (Full-Service) | Estimated Hours Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-Bedroom | 6–8 hours | 1–2 hours | 4–6 hours |
| 2-Bedroom | 12–16 hours | 2–3 hours | 10–13 hours |
| 3-Bedroom | 18–24 hours | 3–4 hours | 15–20 hours |
| 4-Bedroom / Larger | 30+ hours | 4–6 hours | 24+ hours |
After that, the rest of the time will be spent loading and unloading the truck and unpacking. And, of course, don’t forget the time it will take to get to your new home. For local moves, a full-service move might take 8-10 hours. The less you move, the quicker the move will be so make sure to declutter beforehand. Even if you’re not doing the hard work, there’s always something nice about having a few hours to relax after a move.
If you’re not able to move into your new house immediately, you might need to request short-term storage solutions. Many NJ movers have their own secure storage units, but renting one is an additional cost on top of the full-service move. Make sure you know how long you will need to rent out the unit and incorporate the cost into your moving budget. While you can find self-storage solutions, the benefit of using storage directly from the movers is that they will handle all the loading and unloading and travel to and from your home.
How to Find a Reputable Full-Service NJ Mover?
There are plenty of NJ movers to choose from, and while most of them are legitimate, not all of them have your best interests in mind. When looking for an NJ mover, make sure to check that they are licensed and insured by looking for the Department of Transportation (DOT) number on their website. You can then go to the DOT website and enter the number to make sure they are up to date on their licenses and check for any complaints or accidents.
You should also ask friends and family for suggestions or feedback if you know they have moved recently. Otherwise, look up online reviews on Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (if they are listed). You want to look for any negative reviews that have the same or similar complaints.
After that, listen to how the movers talk on the phone. Are they professional? Do they answer your questions in a straightforward manner? If you notice that the movers are evading questions and/or trying to pressure you into signing a contract with them, thank them for their time and move on to another company. You should also avoid movers who have estimates that are wildly cheaper than others or who ask for a large upfront deposit. These are all signs of a scam.
Ready to Move?
If you want to make your next NJ move easy, make sure to reach out to NJ Great Movers. We have years of experience and can provide you with a comprehensive, full-service move tailored to your budget and needs. Of course, we also provide other services like storage, last-minute moves, and more!
FAQ
What is not included in a full service move?
It varies by company, but a full service move generally only includes tasks associated with the move itself. Anything outside of that will be extra including storage, car transport, additional insurance, and so on.
Do I need to be present during a full service move?
Yes, you or someone who you have appointed must be present to oversee the move, answer questions, and sign the final bill of lading.
How much should I tip after a full service move?
Ideally, you should tip around 15-20% of the final bill if you think the movers did a good job.
