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How To Find A Moving Company
Moving house is not an easy task. If you have found a house to move into and managed to sell your old home, then you have taken a huge step towards your goal, but the actual act of moving house and finding moving companies can sometimes be confusing.
There are hundreds of moving companies out there offering different types of services at different prices and it can be hard to find the option that is best for you. Whether you require a local mover or interstate or long distance moving company, on Shiply there is a vast range of companies ready to give you personalized quotes, often up to 75% cheaper than usual rates, but to get the cheapest and most accurate quotes you first need to provide them with a few details about the move.
How Much Do Moving Companies Cost?
Whilst it is very hard to give a realistic estimate of what moving houses could cost you, the average price for a small, local move ranges from $300 to $500 whilst large moves, interstate or longer distances can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.
There are obviously a number of factors that can affect this however and we have listed the main ones below:
Moving Company Service Type - The main thing that will affect the price of your move is which type of service you choose. There are three main types of moving company services.
The first is a self-service move. This is by far the cheapest option and means that you only require the moving company to provide a vehicle to move your possessions. All packing, loading, and unloading is your responsibility. If you have a large family or friends who can help you out then this can be very economical.
A loading service move is the most common type of service quoted by moving companies and involves them helping to load and unload as well as driving your possessions to your new home. It will generally be more expensive than a self-service move.
A white-glove moving service is the most expensive option for moving house, but it does significantly reduce stress. A white-glove moving service will pack and protect all of your items for you, load them and help you unload and even assemble furniture on the other side.
Distance - Distance will obviously affect how much a moving company quotes you. A local move may not end up costing you that much, but if the move is of a longer distance such as an interstate move, it may require more man-hours and fuel and so you can expect this cost to be put back to you.
House Size - The number of possessions you have will also affect the price as it determines the size of the vehicle needed to move your items, as well as how long loading and unloading will take either side.
Time Of Year - Time of year can also affect the cost of moving house as adverse weather conditions such as wind, ice, and snow can often block some available routes, meaning the journey could take longer than usual.
How Can Shiply Help Find Moving Companies?
As you can see there are a few different factors that come into play when selecting a moving company that is right for you. With all the options available, it can seem like a daunting task to go through various websites and phone books collecting quotes and comparing services, and this is where Shiply can help you.
On Shiply all you need to do is fill out a simple form stating where you need to move your stuff to, where it needs to be picked from and how much there is to move. Moving companies will then send you custom quotes for your move, giving you one place where you can compare prices and services.
There is a rated feedback system on our platform which allows you to see previous reviews by users of a moving company to get an idea for them, as well as look at their overall score. You also have the ability to send them messages where you can ask about particulars such as timings, insurance, and what level of service you may require.
>Quotes on Shiply can often be up to 75% cheaper than usual as drivers are usually making similar journeys already and are looking to fill up their empty space. Not only is this good for your wallet but it also reduces unnecessary CO2 emissions and so helps the Earth.
Preparing For The Moving Company
Once you have assessed your options with moving companies and selected one you feel comfortable with then it is time to prepare for your move. The level of preparation you need to do will vary based on which service you chose, but here are the most important steps when preparing to move house.
Let People Know - Whether it’s your friends, work, bank, or utility company, anyone who needs to know your current address will have to be updated with your new residence. Whilst it isn’t the most fun step, it is definitely the most important. Try making a list of everyone you can think of who needs to be informed and make your way through it.
Cleaning - Cleaning before a move is a bit like spring cleaning in that it is a fantastic opportunity to get rid of lots of old mess. Not only does this mean you are getting rid of old unwanted items, but also that your move could potentially be cheaper because of the reduced amount of things needing to be moved. Aside from discarding old possessions, cleaning gives you an opportunity to sort your possessions into piles to go in boxes and means you aren’t handling dirty items when unpacking and setting up your new home.
Materials - If the moving company you selected is not providing materials then you will need to procure them yourself. The main things you need are tape, bubble wrap or some protective material, and cardboard boxes. The tape, labels, and protective wrap you will most likely have to buy, but one great tip for cardboard boxes is to ask around in local shops and supermarkets. Often they have lots going spare, and this is also obviously great for the environment!
Packing - One crucial tip when packing to move house is to have an overnight bag that is ready to go with all the essential items you need for a night. This avoids the pressure of NEEDING to unpack everything to get what you need. The best way to pack up is to go room by room, ensuring everything is well protected and labeled. This allows you to easily sort which boxes need to go in which room in your new home. You should also disassemble any furniture as this reduces the amount of space they take up, reduces the risk of damage during transit, and also makes them easier to carry.
What To Do After The Move
Once everything has been unloaded you’ll want to do a quick check and make sure everything is there. It isn’t feasible to check the condition of everything you own, but a quick once over to spot any glaring issues is highly recommended. You should keep a record of any damages you do find as you unpack if you want to go back to the moving company with any questions or complaints.
We also ask that you leave feedback for your chosen moving company on our platform to allow future users to browse with the same level of confidence that you were able to.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shiply Cover My Area?
Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.
Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?
There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.
How Can I Contact Shiply Support?
Shiply Support is available only on email, at
Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?
Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.
When Will I Receive A Quote?
You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.
How Many Quotes Will I Receive?
Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.
Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?
f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.
Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?
Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.
Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?
Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.
Can I Travel With My Goods?
The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.
What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?
If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.
Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?
If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .
Will The Movers Help With Unpacking?
Transport providers on Shiply are able to help with your house move on both ends (packing and unpacking), but you should make sure they are informed of this requirement as they may need to plan for this.
How Many Movers Will Show Up?
This depends on the transport provider. If you require more than one mover, make sure to highlight this in your listing as it may change the quotes you receive.
How Shiply Works
How Shiply Works
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Request quotes from our 459,474 rated shipping companies.
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Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.
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Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.
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