How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Lancaster
A few factors to consider when looking for a moving company include services offered, licensing, customer reviews, and cost.
Determine Your Budget
The average cost of a local move in Lancaster is $64 per hour. The overall cost amounts to $4,681 for a two-bedroom move. Your actual costs will vary depending on move distance, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, your home size, and the season.
Consider getting quotes from a minimum of three reputable moving companies in your area to make an informed choice. Written estimates are essential in this process. They should include a total cost breakdown, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Hold onto your moving company's estimate until your move is complete.
Read Customer Reviews
Moving companies depend on positive customer reviews. You can identify moving companies that provide good customer service by reading reviews on platforms like Yelp, Trustpilot, social media, the Better Business Bureau, and Google Reviews.
Ensure Proper Licensing
Moving companies in Lancaster must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're only moving intrastate, choose a mover licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
The requirements are a bit different if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a mover licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The team should also carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can find a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.
Services
Asking whether the mover offers the services you need is crucial during the quote process. Take inventory of your belongings before requesting quotes and document any basic or add-on services that might be necessary to ensure accurate pricing. Furthermore, inform your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to assess the company's ability to provide satisfactory service.
Types of Moving Services
A full-service mover will include these services for basic moves:
- Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
- Loading and unloading
- Released liability coverage for loss or damage
Make sure that your moving company is informed of any special services you need during the quote process. Services that result in increased 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 Lancaster, TX
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind for your Lancaster move.
Schedule an Early Move
Lancaster traffic during the morning and evening rush hours is notoriously hectic. Navigating gridlock with a moving truck is even more challenging than with a personal-use vehicle. Movers getting stuck in traffic will typically lead to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock. You can prevent this by scheduling your move a few hours before or after morning rush hour.
Avoid Busy Season
Moving season is the busiest between May and September. In Lancaster, this time overlaps with very hot summer weather, which can worsen your moving experience. By planning and booking at least eight weeks before your move, you should be able to lock in your desired moving company. However, keep in mind the possibility that the hot weather could make the move more difficult for your movers.
Pack in Advance
Most movers treat same-day packing requests similarly. Movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to start in many cases. You should start packing about six weeks before you move. Allocate some packing time daily to prevent last-minute scrambling on moving day.
How Much do Movers Cost in Lancaster, TX
Movers in Lancaster cost $2,792 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $9,060 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 | $2,792 | $3,948 | $9,060 |
250-999 miles | $3,414 | $4,665 | $12,350 |
1,000-2,499 miles | $3,477 | $5,263 | $13,523 |
2,500+ miles | $3,531 | $6,371 | $15,752 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Lancaster
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