Determine what size van or truck you need for your move. Many companies have vans and trucks available based on the total square footage of your current home, or the number of rooms and bedrooms. Always leave a little extra room; if your home is 2,000 square feet, you should look for vans or trucks that can accommodate 2,200 square feet.
Determine how long the move will take from door to door. If you are moving to another house in your area, then the move will probably take just one or two days, or even a matter of hours. But, if you are moving cross-country, the move will likely take several days or more, including travel time. The amount of time you need the van or truck will impact the overall cost.
Search online for moving vans and companies in your area. Review each company's website to see costs and details of their service. You can also check sites like moverreviews.com or the subscription-only checkbook.org to read reviews of different moving companies. Select the company that best meets your needs.
Look up moving companies in your phonebook. Generally, you can look for "movers" in the yellow pages. Contact each listed company to find out details like cost, availability, and truck sizes.
Ask friends or relatives for recommendations. If someone you know recently moved from a location near you, ask them what company they hired and whether they would recommend their services. If you do not know anyone who moved from your area, ask friends or relatives around the country which company they used on their most recent move. Many moving companies operate nationally; contact any companies that your friends or relatives recommend and see if the company is available to hire for your move.
Hire the company. If your list has multiple potential companies, contact each one to discuss the details of your move to determine which company is best equipped to handle it. Once you select the company you want to hire, call them to reserve the moving van or truck and movers for the date and time needed. You will likely need to pay some or all of the cost in advance with your credit card. Moving companies generally charge by the hour, and usually require a minimum number of hours, often three or more. Clarify all fees in advance.
