Removal companies will usually charge you in one of two ways, either by volume (the size of the van required to move all your things) or, as is usually the case with small moves, by the hour.
What you have to move, how easy access is, and where you are moving, all affect the cost
There are many things that can affect how long it will take, and therefore how much it will cost, to move home:
How many boxes are you moving?
Do you have furniture to move?
Are you on the 18th floor or the 2nd floor?
How many trips in the lift will your move take?
How close is your apartment to the lift?
How close can the removal van park to your door?
Is a parking permit required?
Is access to a service lift or to the street restricted to certain times of the day?
A removal company would, on average, take:
A 1-bedroom property may take 2-3 hours to move
A 2-bedroom property may take 3-5 hours to move
If you are doing a self-move move then double that at least.
So, on the face of it, how to move across town is a no-brainer.
A self-move seems far more affordable.
And to be honest, for small moves that involve no furniture, that is probably the way to go.
Organise and plan your home move, follow our packing guides, and you should safely be able to move whatever boxes and bags you have.
You may also like to read: Small Home Moves – Moving With No Furniture. In this guide, we look at why moving without furniture makes so much sense and suggest the various ways you can move just boxes, whether you are moving locally or internationally.
But for moves involving furniture, money is not the only part of the home moving equation.
Things to Consider When Deciding How to Move Home
Local moves are no less stressful or easier than a long-distance move
These are some questions that you might want to ask yourself when considering a self-move vs hiring a reputable removal company:
Am I physically fit enough to move heavy or awkward furniture?
Do I know how to move large pieces of furniture safely?
What is the risk and cost of damage repair to my items or home if I move them myself?
Have I factored in the cost of moving equipment hire, fuel, and insurance?
Can I spare the time to move myself?
Do I have people that I can rely upon to help me move?
Is the stress of driving a van through the city centre worth saving a few pounds for?
Do I have the right driving licence for driving a van?
Does my insurance cover me for a self-move?
How will I get to my new home, having taken the hire van back to the depot?
How do I organize a parking permit for loading and unloading?
Where do I park to unload if there are no spaces outside my new home?
Will I be confident enough to reverse a large van or navigate between parked cars?
Often the answers to these questions will draw you to the conclusion that it is just not worth the stress and aggravation NOT to hire a removal company.
They will move you safely and in half the time it will take you and some friends, if they turn up.
If it is the uncertainty of choosing a removal company that will take care of your items and provide you with a stress-free home move that bothers you, there are steps you can take to find the right mover for your move.
Take the time to choose wisely, and your diligence will be more than repaid on moving day.
There really is no substitute for the hard work and skills that a reputable moving company will provide.
Should you hire pros for a short-distance move? Definitely.
You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. Choosing the right removal company is crucial to having a stress-free moving day. In this guide, we take you step-by-step through the process of picking the right removal firm for your move.
Now read on to find out why a short move across town is just as difficult as a move across the country and how you can make your move cheaper and easier.
What is The Difference Between a Long-Distance Move and a Short Move?
It can take as long to travel 5 miles as it does to travel 100 miles when moving in the city
There are only 2 differences between a long-distance home move and a local one:
The mileage
Your friends may be able to help you unload at the new home
That is it.
Every other aspect of physically moving home is exactly the same.
So we have news for you.
Short-distance moves can be more stressful and tiring than a long-distance move, mainly because we convince ourselves it will be a breeze.
We do not pay attention to the organisation and preparation that a home move deserves, and as a result, we, and our possessions, suffer.
You may also like to read: Ways to Help a Friend Move Home. If you are asking friends to help you move home, they may not have the brawn or ability to help with the physical move, but here we suggest 22 ways in which friends can help you move without them having to lift or pack a single box.
What is The Best Way to Move Across Town?
Nothing will make day easier than a good removal team
Depending on how much stuff you have to relocate to your new home, there are various options for moving a small distance.
Car – Typically for student or bedsit moves
Taxi – Student or bedsit moves
Self-Drive Van – when you have the skills and help to move yourself
Hire a removal company – when you want an easy and stress-free move
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Every Home Moving Option. In this guide we look at the various ways you can move home and what the pros and cons are of each option.
Tips for Moving a Short Distance to a New Home
A moving checklist is as important for a local home move as it is for an international home move
No matter how you intend to move your things, by following a few simple rules your home move will be so much easier.
Declutter your home
Use a home moving planner
Leave clothes on hangers
Don’t box up drawer contents
Make use of suitcases and holdalls
Protect fragile items
Take the time to label moving boxes correctly
Learn how to load a car properly
Hire a reputable removal company to move the furniture
Words of wisdom:
Items rarely get damaged during transit unless poorly stacked.
The vast majority of damage is caused when handled incorrectly.
Moving 2 or 200 miles, your boxes will be handled the same number of times and the boxes will be stacked the same number of times.
It takes as much hard work, organisation, and care to move a short distance as a long distance.
Declutter your Home First
It makes sense that the less you have to move to your new home, the less packing, loading, and unloading, and the cheaper your home move will be.
So the first thing to do is sort out anything that you no longer need, want, or that will not be suitable for your new home.
You can do this by selling, giving away to friends or family, donating to charity, or if the item really is of no use to anybody, throwing it away.
There are many charities and organisations that will collect household things for free, as well as online recycling sites that you can advertise for free on.
Having a home moving plan ensures that you don’t forget to do anything and will help you keep on schedule.
It lists each job that you need to do and when, ensuring nothing is missed.
Changing your address is one task that may not seem that important for a local move, after all, you can always pop back to get your mail, but there are other reasons to ensure that you change your address.
Preventing identity theft, ensuring you don’t end up paying for bills that aren’t yours, and making sure you don’t miss out on loyalty vouchers or offers.
One part of organizing your home move that you shouldn’t skip is labelling the boxes or bags with the contents, and the room they are destined for in your new home, and numbering them.
You should also seriously consider, as part of your planning, where everything will fit in your new home. There is little point in paying to move things that will not fit into the available space. A floor plan is a great tool to help you do this.
Even if you have plenty of room, a floor plan will help you visualize how your new home will look and how to make spaces work for your particular lifestyle.
This contains all the items that need to have easy and quick access to on moving day such as food and water, medication, and your home moving binder.
Packing Tips for a Short Distance Move
Don’t skimp on quality packing supplies just because it is a short home move
Clothes on hangers will be easier to move and organise in your new home if they are left on their hangers. Whilst the clothes are still on the hanger, slip the clothes into a bin liner, and tie the bag through the neck of the hangers. When you get to your new home, they can be hung up straight away, job done.
If you are moving dressers and have clothes in drawers, then there is no need to box the contents. You can shrink-wrap the drawer to stop the contents from spilling out and just slot them back into the cabinet to save space in the removal van.
Utilise the space in anything you intend to move. For example, suitcases, bags, bins, and even the drum of a washing machine (for light unbreakables) can be used to transport things.
No matter the distance you intend to move, the act of just moving a fragile item exposes it to the risk of damage. Take the time to learn how to protect your fragile and valuable items before attempting to move them.
So that you can find things easier and know which items go into which room in your new home, ensure you label the moving boxes or bags clearly. It will make the unloading process quicker and, if you number the boxes, you can quickly spot if an item has been misplaced or if you need to locate an item quickly.
Attempting a self-move by car is an option for a smaller home move. You will need to learn how to pack things to fit in the car, safe loading techniques, and safety precautions to take first, though.
You may also like to read: Are Packing Services Worth the Cost? Packing is arguably the worst part of moving home. In this guide, we look at what professional packers do, how much they cost on average, and whether it makes sense to hire packers for your home move.
We hope we have demonstrated that a local home move takes just as much planning and organisation as a cross-country move would, so that you will avoid the mistakes that many people moving locally make.
Visit our home moving blog for in-depth guides and advice on every aspect of your home move, no matter how close or far away your new home is.
*At RemovalReviews we will connect you with a professional moving company. Please note that we may not be affiliated with
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