Mover guiding truck driver into driveway
Movers Who Blog Moving

Hiring a professional moving company vs. doing it yourself

If there’s one question we get asked more than others: How much does it cost to move?

Figuring out the cost of a home move can be tricky – you can learn more about it here – and can often be a deciding factor in whether people will hire professional movers or try to complete the move themselves. However, there is a common misconception that it’s “cheaper” to move yourself, and that’s not always the case.

While on the surface it might seem like it will cost less because you aren’t paying someone else to do it, you’ll quickly find out those things you aren’t paying a company to do may end up being things you pay for yourself to do.

Below, we’ve went through and highlighted different costs and factors that go into any move, regardless of who is doing it. This helps to show the differences between the cost of moving companies and renting a moving truck to DIY.

Moving equipment: What will you use?

When evaluating the cost of professional movers, one thing to know is that everything is included with your final bill – the moving truck, the moving equipment, the movers themselves, and so on. You’re paying moving professionals to do their job for you with top of the line moving equipment.

If you opt to complete a home move on your own, the equipment used will now be your responsibility. You’ll need to rent a truck for transporting your belongings, get the proper moving equipment to lift heavier items so your belongings don’t get damaged, pack your things, purchase moving pads and stretch wrap for extra protection, and much more. As you pinpoint everything you’ll need to complete a successful move, you will start to realize the price adds up after a while – and you’ll still have to do the heavy lifting on your own.

Time is money

While the time of completing a move might not show up in terms of actual money spent, it will take a significant chunk of your valuable time to complete the move. You’re the one responsible for loading and unloading the rental truck, buying or renting the moving equipment mentioned above, driving the truck to your new home to unload your belongings (sometimes this requires more than one trip!) and then driving it back to the rental company after everything has been unloaded. This is a lot to handle on your own, especially if you don’t have any experience with it, and may end up taking more time that you anticipated.

When you hire professional movers, you’re trusting your money with a team who doesthis every day at a high level. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, all of our moving teams are professionally trained to complete moves efficiently while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction and keeping your items safe.

Protection of your items

Speaking of keeping your items safe: if you don’t have professional moving experience already, this can be extremely difficult! Moving is not easy, and it’s difficult enough to keep your items safe while moving them in and out of a home without also having to worry about keeping yourself safe from injury.

There is a potential for damage when moving homes, and this is why people trust the services of a professional moving company instead of doing it themselves. An incident on a move trying to save some money could end up costing you big time.

Who is helping?

As a professional moving company, we have help – and plenty of it. But if you’re doing it on your own, you’ll need to recruit others to help you. This means the awkward texts to friends or family seeing if they’re available on Saturday and telling them you’ll pay in beverages and pizza. This adds costs, and it’s a drag to do.

Why hire professional movers?

Simply put, there is way less risk involved when you leave a home move in the hands of professionals. The saying “you pay for what you get” has never been more applicable than it has in the world of home moving, and you really do get way you pay for.

With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, you get:

-Free moving estimates, in-home, over the phone, or online

-Packing services and supplies available at ad added cost

-An in-home walk through with our professional moving teams, followed by a walk-through of your new home so we know exactly how to plan for your move

If you have an upcoming move, consider hiring TWO MEN AND A TRUCK to get the job done and let us show you why we’ve earned the nickname, “Movers Who Care®”!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK truck in front of home
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These 5 overlooked moving essentials are key to a successful move

Moving can be a bit of a jumbled process as you prepare to buy and/or sell new home, pack up your belongings, and hire professional movers to get you from one place to the next.

With all this happening in such a short period of time, it’s easy for some things to get lost in the shuffle as you plan your move. We preach planning and organization as the biggest components of a successful, stress-free moving day because it eliminates the likely hood of having to scramble with last-minute decisions or packing.

Organizational tips like packing and planning ahead will go a long way in keeping yourself on track, but there are a few things you can focus on to take the stress out of moving day – we like to call these overlooked moving essentials.

These are the “essentials” you’ll want to have leading up to the move and on moving day that will make things much easier so you can experience a positive, efficient move!

Moving Checklists

In terms of organization and planning, perhaps nothing is more valuable than a moving checklist. This will help create a roadmap of your moving process from the time you decide to move all the way through moving day, helping you visualize where you are and what you need to work on. Moving checklists provide a detailed outline on how things will go so you can know what to expect all the way up to the moment movers arrive at your door.

If you’re asking yourself how to make a moving checklist, don’t worry – we did it for you.

Cleaning Supplies

If you’ve ever moved before, you probably know how valuable it is to having cleaning supplies on moving day. Whether it’s antibacterial wipes, cleaning sprays, laundry soap, or another cleaning supply – you’ll want to have a box handy so you can start cleaning your new home as soon as possible.

Chargers and Batteries

Everything seems to be centered around our technological devices these days, so it makes sense to have all the chargers and batteries you might need for things like phones, laptops, cameras, etc., ensuring they are in working order throughout the entire move day.

Plastic Bags

Simple, right? Plastic bags are a cheap, easy, and versatile tool to have on moving day and they make it easy to carry around loose items which didn’t get packed away. You may also want a few to use as trash bags as miscellaneous trash and debris get left behind during the move. Keep a stash handy and be ready if needed.

Tool Kit

The chances of you moving into a new home and not needing to assemble something or make a few quick fixes are very slim, which is where a tool kit comes in handy. Make sure you have one ready (or at least know someone who does and can help) so you can tend to anything that needs to be done when you arrive at the new house.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

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Top 4 professional packing tips to set you up for moving success

While March is only just beginning, we’re just months away from the busy moving season and warmer months ahead!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK teams nationwide are beginning to round their moving teams into shape in anticipation of our busiest time of year for moving. We want to be ready for you when you need to move, no matter what your moving needs might be!

When we’re not helping people on their moves, we want to educate potential customers on the best moving advice, and one of the most important ways to ensure a successful and stress-free move is with proper packing.

Knowing proper packing techniques, how to create a packing list ahead of time, and being as prepared as possible are some of the most important aspects leading up to a move that will make a huge difference. Over the years, we’ve picked up on a few important tips and ideas to share with you!

Label everything!

In terms of organization, perhaps nothing will keep you more organized than labeling. This helps the movers when they’re loading and unloading boxes, and it’ll help you as you begin unpacking so you can know what is what.

We cannot stress the importance of labeling enough!

Plan ahead

The last thing you want to find yourself doing is packing last-second. This is not only ineffective; it’s really, really stressful.

Give yourself to time to pack your home – usually starting two or three weeks ahead of moving day – so you can slowly chip away at the process and take it in stride. This will help you go room by room and get everything packed away correctly.

Protect your belongings

The whole point of packing is to keep your items safe and protected, right? This starts by using professional packing supplies. Moving boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper go a long way with the safety of your items as they’re loaded up and moved to your new home.

A helpful packing tip to remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the moving box.

Pack room-by-room

As mentioned above, this is a process you’ll want to complete in chunks, not all at once. Going room by room will help you take down sections of your home leading up to moving day. It’s far more manageable, and can leave you room for error if you need to get something out of a box after it is already packed away.

Professional packing tips

You know who really knows the ins and outs of packing? The frontline team members at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK who do it every day. Here are some of their best tips!

“Have all of your loose items boxed up and packed away, and also make sure to label the boxes. Make sure to have a game plan for unpacking the boxes, too.” – Shawn – Operations Manager – Lorain-Medina, Ohio

“With your packed boxes, take them all into the garage. It’s going to save a lot of time for us with the move and will also save you some money on your bill at the end of the move.” – Anthony – Team Lead – Lincoln, Nebraska

For more information on the different types of packing services TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers and the packing supplies we sell, visit our website.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Frequently asked questions about moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

It’s hard to believe March is already here, but for our teams at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, that’s the early sign that busy season is near!

If you’re finally looking to complete a home move in 2023, you probably have a ton of questions and concerns rushing through your mind right now as you try to prepare. Moving can be stressful, but when you hire a professional moving company like us, it doesn’t have to be. Our professionally trained, background checked, and drug screened movers are ready to help you move from one home to then next with care, compassion, and efficiency!

Now, back to those questions swirling through your head. We’re sure you have a lot of them, and we want to help. After nearly four decades of helping customers move, we know what some of the most asked questions are for people looking to move, and we decided to create a quick FAQ for you.

Listen up!

How much does a move cost?

Without a doubt, this is the most frequently asked question we hear from potential customers. The answer? It depends!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise are all independently owned and operated, and prices range from location to location. Local moves are charged by the hour, and long-distance moves are charged by weight.

Check out our guide on the typical costs for home moves here. (I’ll link the blog once it’s live).

What can affect the cost of a move?

With local moves being charged by the hour, there are a wide-range of things that can come into play to affect the cost of your move.

Walking time from the moving truck to the load/unloading zone, the amount of time it takes movers to load and unload belongings, the drive time between moving locations, flights of stairs, and much more all have a say in the final bill.

What items should I have with me on moving day?

Most of your items will be packed up and ready to be moved on moving day, so you won’t have access to a large number of personal belongings. Make sure to keep chargers, a change of clothes, toiletries, and some snacks close by if you need them. Also make sure to have any important medications or paperwork necessary to the move available as well.

How do I get a moving quote?

Very easy – just visit our website! Getting a moving quote with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is free, and we strongly recommend it so our moving consultants can get you the most accurate price for your upcoming move. We’d recommend reaching out for a moving quote roughly one month before your intended moving day.

How do I complete an address change for my new home?

The best way to do this is by visiting the US Post office online. You will be able to fill out prompts with your change of address information to get set up.

What’s the best way to go about packing up my home?

Packing is a critical part of the moving process and making sure you do a good job on it can save you a lot of stress down the road. Planning ahead, staying organized, and slowly chipping away at it leading up to moving day are some of the best recommendations we have.

For more expert packing tips, click here.

What types of payment are accepted by companies like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK?

All major credit cards are accepted with our brand, but there may be additional payment options depending on the location you move with. Please contact the office to discuss this prior to paying for you move.

Should I tip movers when the job is done?

Our movers are trained to never ask for a tip when a move is completed, but they are allowed to accept a tip from a customer who feels they have earned it. If you feel included to tip your movers, we recommend tipping whatever feels appropriate to you.

If you are interested in moving with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and want to get started on a free moving quote, click here!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Mover shaking customers hand
Movers Who Blog Moving, Preparing to Move

How much does it cost to move?

It’s been nearly 40 years of moving! It all began as a small, local operation in Lansing, Michigan and has evolved into the largest franchised moving company in the country.

Throughout this time, there’s one question we get asked more than any other: How much does it cost to move?

The answer? Well, it depends! With any professional moving service – ours included – there are a variety of factors that play into the cost of a move. No two moves are the same, and the final bill for 10 different moves can be 10 different prices. In this blog, we want to highlight some of the factors which can affect moving prices so you know what to look for when getting moving quotes.

How much does TWO MEN AND A TRUCK cost?

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, our moving prices are usually determined by the type of move being completed.

  • Local Moves: Hourly Pricing
  • Long-Distance Moves: Weight and Miles Pricing

Other variables that can come into play include which state the move is happening in, or how many movers will be required on the job. It’s important to remember that each TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise is independently owned and operated, so each sets their own pricing rates based on the needs of their business and location.

What can affect the cost of a move?

Along with what’s mentioned above, there are plenty of other factors that can determine the final bill. With local moves being charged by the hour, there are plenty of variables that can add to the time it takes for a move to be completed.

Some of these factors include:

  • The distance it takes for the movers to walk from the truck to the load or unload location
  • The amount of time it takes movers to load and unload belongings
  • The number of flights or stairs involved with a move
  • The drive time from the load to unloading location on a move

These things all must be considered before scheduling a move so you know what the cost might be. When working with the franchise for a free moving quote, we strongly encourage customers to be 100 percent honest when working with our customer service representatives. Leaving out important details of how many belongings you have or the layout of your home can drastically change the moving plan that’s laid out, and final bill may not reflect what has been estimated for you.

For some easy tips to save money on your next move, click here! If you’re thinking about using TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for your next home move this year, get started on your free moving quote!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Top 4 tips you can follow to avoid falling victim to moving scams

A TWO MEN AND A TRUCK mover with customers

Make no mistake about it – moving can be a difficult and stressful process as you work to pack up your belongings and transport them from one home to the next.

We’re very well aware of this as we’ve done our best to help ease our customers’ moving stress for nearly four decades. We offer professionally trained movers who all undergo drug screenings and background checks before ever stepping foot on a move, and we pride ourselves on using top-of-the line moving equipment to keep our customers’ belongings safe throughout the entire process.

While this may seem like it would be standard across the moving industry, unfortunately, it is not always the case, and there are many moving operations who don’t have the best interest of the customer in mind.

These moving “scam” operations may entice customers by offering lower prices than anyone else to capitalize on people looking to save some money. When this happens, however, you may find that there’s a massive sacrifice in the quality of your move, and you might get unprofessional movers who damage belongings and don’t treat your items with care. They’ll take your money, not offer any solutions, and leave you with a nightmare of a moving experience.

There are a few ways you can work on your own to avoid running into moving scam operations like this, and whether you end up choosing us or another moving company, we want to share these helpful tips so you don’t fall victim to these shady moving operations.

Search customer reviews

A company can tell you all about the great things they do and why you should choose them, but sometimes, it’s best to see what others have to say about the brand.

Searching through customer reviews for the company you’re considering for your move can give you a good insight into how they operate, how they treat customers, and how they treat belongings during the move.

Find out what goes into the moving cost

Any reputable company should offer a free moving quote to give you a ballpark estimate of what your move will end up costing. They should also be upfront with you before hand about deposits, any extra fees and what they might cost, what is refundable, and more.

Ask all of these questions before paying anything and if a company isn’t able to answer them, they might not be legitimate movers.

Ensure the movers are … actually movers

Your belongings are important to you, and the safety of these belongings should be important to the moving company you hire. Never hire a company that doesn’t employ professionally trained movers, or a company using day laborers to get the job done.

Ask about background checks and drug screenings for the moving teams, too. You want to ensure your belongings are in good hands.

Make sure there is open communication

Hiring professional movers can be a major commitment, so it stands to reason that you should be able to have a direct line of communication.. When talking with the moving company, make sure they are able to answer the questions you have, and that they’ll work with you to ensure all proper paperwork is filed prior to moving day.

If you’re interested in using TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for your next move, click here!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

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Movers Who Blog Organizing, Tips and Tricks

Top 5 items you’ll want to avoid putting into storage

There’s never a bad time to look into purchasing a storage unit or space for storage, as it gives you somewhere else that isn’t your home or business to safely keep your belongings.

Storage can free up other much-needed space which can be extremely helpful during home renovations, moving, staging your home to sell, office cleanouts or renovations – really anything! However, it can be a little easier said than done with finding a storage space, and there’s a lot to consider before you decide.

Many storage facilities have set regulations and rules specific to their operation, but there is also a general list of items which cannot be held in storage units everywhere. It’s important to know what these are so you can plan accordingly.

Firearms or ammunition

The first bullet point on this list is a bit subjective, because some storage facilities may have different rules or interpretations of what can be stored when it comes to firearms and ammunition. With firearms, some may allow it, but check with the facility to see what is and isn’t allowed.

With ammunition, more often than not, you’ll find it isn’t allowed due to its combustibility and flammability. Simply put: they can be a hazard.

Combustible or flammable items

Speaking of being combustible and flammable – you’ll want to avoid storing anything else that fits this description in your storage unit, too. These types of items are dangerous and can put both your belongings and the belongings of all other storage units at the facility in danger should they catch fire.

Medical supplies

Some medical supplies contain radioactive material, which can’t be kept in storage. This is an area where you want to be extremely cautious and also ask questions to find out what is and isn’t acceptable.

One thing worth considering: you don’t want to find yourself needing a certain medical supply when it’s packed away in storage, so it’s best to find somewhere else to keep these items.

Scented candles and soap

It might not seem like a big deal, but it can be more of an issue than you realize when keeping soaps and candles in storage. These can attract mice or rats, which would be a huge problem for you. Anything that gives off a smell like perfume or lotion should also be stored with caution.

Unregistered vehicles

Vehicle storage is extremely popular, but vehicles must be up to date on their registration and meet the necessary guidelines for storage in your particular state. Some states classify unregistered vehicles as an abandoned vehicle.

All five of the topics listed above should be kept in consideration when getting ready to place items in storage. Are you looking for a storage plan in the near future? Select TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations offer safe and secure onsite storage! Click here to learn more.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.  

Movers Who Blog Moving, Organizing

Top moving tips to keep in mind, straight from the professionals

Movers walking down truck ramp with boxes

If you’re going to take advice from someone on a specific topic, it would make sense to go to an expert on the given topic, right?

Of course! That’s why when it comes to moving and the best tips and tricks for a successful move, you should go to our frontline moving professionals! This team lives and breathes moving each and every day, helping our customers move forward in life with professional moving services. They’ve handled just about every situation you can encounter during a home move and know the best advice to ensure your moving experience is a positive one.

From planning ahead to making a moving checklist, there are endless things you can do to improve your move day, and we want to share these professional moving tips with you.

Enjoy!

If you are planning on completing a move soon, give us a call!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

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Movers Who Blog Giving Back, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK core values help to shape the identity of the brand

A TWO MEN AND A TRUCK mover with customers

It was in the ‘80s when TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Founder Mary Ellen Sheets began developing a vision for her small, local moving company.

Moving is a tough industry, and she wanted to build a brand that separated itself from the competition – not just with the quality of the service, but with the quality of customer care involved with each move. She envisioned TWO MEN AND A TRUCK customer service being different than the rest, a company people could trust with their belongings and a company that was based on just doing the right thing.

Almost 40 years later, this message still resonates throughout each one of our franchises with our set of company core values. These core values aren’t just words plastered on posters – they’re a mindset that all team members live daily. These six TWO MEN AND A TRUCK core values include:

  • THE GRANDMA RULE®
  • Care
  • Inclusion
  • Be Your Best and Have Fun
  • Giving Back to the Community
  • Integrity

This group is highlighted by THE GRANDMA RULE – which means to treat everyone the way we’d want our own grandma to be treated – but all of them hold equal importance in shaping who we are as a brand.

Watch the six videos below to learn about each and what they stand for!

THE GRANDMA RULE

CARE

INCLUSION

BE YOUR BEST AND HAVE FUN

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

INTEGRITY

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers Who Blog Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers business moving plans focused on little downtime and interruptions

As a business ourselves, we understand the importance of limited disruptions to your operation and your teams.

That’s why our business moving plans have been specifically designed to work around your office or business schedule to get you moved and unpacked as efficiently as possible. Many people only think of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK as the experts in home moving, but many don’t know we’ve specialized in business moving for decades..

A business moving plan for you

Whether it’s office moving, moving office furniture, or any type of commercial moving services, we’re able to help with our professionally trained moving teams and equipment. All movers are background checked and drug screened, ensuring that your office belongings are in the best hands.

We pride ourselves on keeping your items safe during the move while working as efficiently as possible to get the job done. Our business moving services work great for the following:

  • Retail stores
  • Medical offices
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Professional offices
  • Educational facilities

We’ll work closely with your team to build a moving plan to specifically fit the needs of your business, ensuring we don’t’ interrupt the normal flow of your office or business hours while the move is taking place. This could include scheduling for nights or weekends – whatever it takes to get the job done!

More than just business moving options

Our services don’t stop at just lifting a desk and moving it from one room to the next. Our specialty services can help your business stay organized and on track in a variety of ways. We want to be your one-stop-shop for all business moving needs!

With options like our junk removal service, in-home moving, and storage, we’ll help you with anything that might come up within your business.

Need further proof? Check out a verified customer review of our business moving services!

“We had a large last-minute business move that they were not only able to accommodate, but accepted the challenge without hesitation. All were pleasant, fast, listened to special directions, and got the job done in one day, which was a huge bonus to us.” – Janet

To learn more about our business moving options or to schedule a business move, visit our website and contact us today!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.