How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Portage
A few factors to consider when choosing a moving company include cost, services offered, customer reviews, and licensing.
Determine Your Budget
According to our research, the average professional mover in Portage charges $82 per hour. The average local move costs $4,146 total for two-bedroom homes. Factors that affect your actual cost include your home size, the season, any additional tasks you need done, and move distance.
Consider getting quotes from at least three movers in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are crucial in this process. They should contain a total cost breakdown, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Keep your mover's estimate on hand until the company has completed your move to ensure fair pricing practices.
Read Customer Reviews
Good customer feedback is essential for all moving companies. Read customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, social media, and Google Reviews to identify movers that prioritize positive customer experiences.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Portage must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving intrastate, your mover needs operating authority from the Michigan State Police's Motor Carrier Division.
If you're moving interstate, the regulations are different. Choose a company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It should also have active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers, which you can use on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool to check a mover’s registration status and complaint history.
Services
Assess whether the mover you chose can provide the services that align with your expectations when requesting quotes. Conduct an inventory of your home before getting quotes and note down any basic or add-on services that might be necessary to ensure accurate pricing. Share any special conditions or needs with your moving company representative in order to evaluate whether the company is able to meet your particular needs.
Types of Moving Services
For basic moves, full-service movers will include the following services in the standard price:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
When asking for a quote from your moving company, discuss any extra services you require. Services that can contribute to higher pricing include the following:
- Crating for art or antiques
- Extra flights of stairs
- Long carries
- Packing
- Piano moving
- Storage
- Unpacking
- Vehicle shipping
Tips To Consider When Moving in Portage, MI
Here are some additional tips to consider for your Portage move.
Schedule an Early Move
Portage traffic during the morning and evening rush hours is notoriously hectic. Navigating gridlock in a moving truck is even more difficult than with a standard personal-use vehicle. Movers stuck in traffic during your local move will typically lead to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock. We recommend arranging before morning rush hour, which ensures the movers avoid the traffic and wrap up the move before evening.
Avoid Busy Season
Moving season is the busiest between May and September. In Portage, this time corresponds to hot summer weather, which can worsen your moving experience. If you plan in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the season. However, the movers may be hindered by the heat.
Pack in Advance
Most movers won't move items that aren't packed when your move begins. You should begin packing about six weeks before your move. Spend some time packing each day to prevent last-minute scrambling on moving day.
How Much do Movers Cost in Portage, MI
Movers in Portage cost $2,608 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,796 to move a larger 4 bedroom house the same distance. See the chart below for more moving estimates, and contact a moving company for a more accurate quote specific to your situation.
| Distance | Studio-1 Bedroom | 2-3 Bedroom | 4+ Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 250 miles | $2,608 | $2,937 | $6,796 |
| 250-999 miles | $3,219 | $3,544 | $10,307 |
| 1,000-2,499 miles | $3,252 | $4,086 | $10,515 |
| 2,500+ miles | $3,140 | $5,144 | $12,637 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Portage
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