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Sean DonnellyHome Improvement Reporter
Sean informs readers of all the issues that moving clients may encounter during any relocation....
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 moving companies that operate within 50 miles of Bedford. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
The best moving company for relocating out of New Hampshire is International Van Lines. If you're planning to move in the Bedford area, use the filters below to find other movers in your area.
Below are additional moving companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
A long-distance move is when you move from one state to another or more than 50 miles away. If you're crossing state boundaries, you should be especially careful that the moving company you hire has the necessary federal licensing. Interstate movers are required to have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use the MC number, USDOT number or mover's name to look up a carrier’s licensing status in the FMCSA’s database.
We’ve verified that the long-distance moving companies below are actively licensed. These experienced and reliable movers can help get you and your belongings safely and smoothly to your new home.
Interstate moving companies in New Hampshire are required to carry both state and federal licensing. New Hampshire movers are regulated by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). The DPU provides an alphabetical list of licensed movers in the state on their website.
The average hourly moving rate for moving within or out of Bedford is greater than the national average, making itrelatively costly. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Bedford is above 97.3% of the country.
Moving costs add up fast based on what services you need. Typical moving expenses include the following:
These additional factors can add even more to your total cost:
Moving companies may charge more to move oversized, fragile or valuable items. The following items commonly are more expensive to move:
If you have to move any of these items, ask potential movers whether they charge extra for them.
While tipping your movers isn’t required, it’s a common practice if your movers handled your belongings with care or made your move stress - free. Consider tipping each mover $5–$10 per hour for local moves and $20–$40 per day for long-distance moves.
Delays happen. Traffic, limited supplies, transportation emergencies and bad weather can all add time and money to your move. There’s no way to combat unexpected delays, but you can prepare for them by having a flexible schedule and budgeting 25% more than your movers quote you.
Experts Ready to Help
The following tips can reduce your moving expenses in Bedford.
Be communicative about any changes to your schedule or inventory to avoid surprise charges on the day of your move. Be especially communicative about items you’re adding to your inventory after a virtual or in-person walkthrough with your movers.
While small items can typically be accommodated without a problem, larger pieces such as new appliances or furniture should be discussed beforehand. The movers may need to adjust their estimate for these item, and they’ll need your consent to these fees before starting the move.
Moving during the week or in the off-season can lower the cost and ensure you reserve your preferred moving team.
Movers are busiest from May through September. If you have a flexible timeline, moving during slower months may result in less competition or lower ratesfor services.
There are several alternatives if you can't find a cost - effective mover that meets your needs.
You can handle the move by yourself, but consider the labor required and the following costs:
Your family, friends or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have large items such as furniture. If you lack the time or support system needed for a self-move, hiring movers is worth it.
You can also hire movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack, which can be cheaper. However, these gig workers may not have proper licensing or insurance.
Hiring full-service movers means they will manage every part of the moving process. They supply packing materials, pack your belongings, transport them and unpack them.
Full-service moving costs more than services that only include loading and moving your belongings, but it can be worth it considering the time, labor and packing materials it saves. Additionally, full-service moving can provide more comprehensive insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are generally only insured up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be tough to get a claim approved for self-packed damaged goods.
All legitimate moving businesses will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on paperwork like estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should check a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an interstate move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in New Hampshire are also required to have a license from the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
Review what insurance policies your movers provide. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound per item. Adding this supplementary coverage will cost more, but may be worth it if you're moving expensive or rare items.
The warmer months — May through September — are the best time to move in the U.S., which leads to substantially increased demand and notably higher rates across the country for moves of all kinds. Rightfully so, this may steer you away from a summer move due to the higher cost.
We recommend moving during the spring or early fall to experience the best possible weather and lower rates for service.
For peace of mind, move items like identification documents, financial records and photo albums in your own car. Similarly, load up your vehicle with any expensive electronics that you wouldn't want lost or damaged.
Many moving businesses cap insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Keep these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable possessions, if you're worried about possible loss or damage.
Most movers refuse to transport certain items, including these:
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national moving providers against our full moving methodology. We score movers based on reputation and customer experience, service availability, cost and pricing practices, insurance options, customer service and communication.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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