Labor-only moving company in action

You have options when you move to a new home. Depending on your budget, the size of your move, and whether you’re relocating locally or across state lines, a labor-only moving company might be the best fit. So, what exactly is labor-only moving service, and how do you determine whether to hire these professionals or full-service movers? Read on for everything you need to know.

What is a labor-only moving company?

Basically, a labor-only moving company provides a crew and materials but no transportation. They’ll wrap up your large furniture items and handle the heavy lifting, and you’ll handle the rest of the moving checklist tasks such as:

Depending on how far you’re moving, you might also need to find another labor-only moving company at your new location to help you empty the moving truck or storage container. DIY moves such as these take more planning than hiring full-service movers, but in some cases, labor-only is a great fit.

Reasons to hire a labor-only moving company

There are a few reasons you might want to partner with a labor-only moving company for your upcoming relocation. To determine whether this moving method is the right fit for you, start by learning about the different types of moves and outlining your moving budget.

Intrabuilding moves

If you’re moving a short distance in the Chicago Area—such as relocating to a new condo unit or apartment inside the same building—a labor-only moving company is a great solution. You don’t need a moving truck since the only transportation from your old home to your new one is through elevators, stairs, and hallways. So if you’re upgrading or downsizing within a multi-unit building like one of the stunning downtown Chicago skyscrapers, find a local mover who can provide labor only for your intrabuilding relocation.

Interstate moves

People who are moving to Chicago from out of state or leaving the Windy City for a new town often choose a labor-only moving company to assist with the heaviest and hardest parts of their move.

There are a couple of different methods of interstate moving that labor-only companies can help with. For example, you might have rented a moving truck that you’re going to drive to your new zip code, or are working with a nationwide transportation company like PODS for your move. In these cases, you can hire movers to just handle the wrapping and schlepping of your inventory to and from the moving truck or container, and you’ll be in charge of coordinating the transportation between your old and new dwellings.

Small or partial moves

Every move is unique, and sometimes you just need labor-only furniture movers to handle a small or partial move instead of an entire relocation. Here are a few examples of when these services come in handy:

  • Moving part of your home’s inventory. Maybe your roommate is moving out of the apartment, your child is leaving the nest, or you’re donating a few furniture items. In these instances, you might not need a full crew and a moving truck, and a labor-only team can help.
  • Swapping furniture into different rooms. Want to put your old couch into your furnished basement to make room for the new sofa you purchased? A labor-only moving company is perfect for this.
  • Home construction projects. If you’re refurbishing your floors or embarking on a major home renovation project, find a labor team to wrap and move your furniture to a different part of your home before construction starts, and have them return to put things back into place once the project is completed.

There are additional small or partial moves that a labor-only moving company can help with. If you’re not sure about the best moving method for your unique situation, just contact your local movers for advice.

Budget

Moving costs in Chicago vary widely depending on factors like the size of your move, when you’re moving, and the distance between your old and new homes. If budget is a concern, you can do a cost comparison between a full DIY move, a full-service moving company, and labor-only movers. Hiring labor for just the items that are too large or heavy for you to safely and confidently handle might save you some money. However, in some cases, the benefits of partnering with a full-service moving company can outweigh budgetary concerns.

When to choose a full-service moving company

In the months and weeks leading up to your move, you might determine that you prefer to hire full-service movers instead of a labor-only moving company for a quick and stress-free relocation process. The best moving companies offer combined services to take all sorts of moving tasks off of your plate. They’ll take care of packing your home, loading their moving truck, transporting your belongings to your new place, and unloading the moving truck to help you settle into your new digs. And if you need it, they’ll even provide storage service, which can range from one overnight to months or even years.

Many people choose a full-service moving company because the cost outweighs the time and resources they’d spend coordinating and executing the move on their own—not to mention the stress moving can cause. Whatever moving method suits you, be sure to obtain estimates from multiple professional moving companies and research their online reviews so you know you’re working with the best movers in Chicago.

Let the best moving company in Chicago help with your next move  

We know that every person is unique and that moving isn’t a “one size fits all” event. You, your home, and your possessions deserve custom service tailored to your exact needs. So whether you’re looking for a labor-only moving company, full-service movers, or something in between, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today for a free estimate and to learn more about our services!

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