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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 Hillside. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
The best mover for moving out of New Jersey is International Van Lines. If you're moving in the Hillside area, use the filters below to find other local movers.
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 relocate from one state to another or more than 50 miles away. Check that the mover you hire has the proper federal licensing when crossing state lines. Interstate movers must have United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. Input the USDOT number, MC number or mover's name into the FMCSA's database to confirm a carrier's licensing status.
We've verified that the long-distance moving companies below are actively licensed. They can help get your belongings to your new home safely and efficiently.
Interstate movers in New Jersey are required to have both state and federal licensing. New Jersey movers are licensed by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). All licensed moving companies in the state are alphabetically listed on the DPU’s page.
The average hourly moving rate for relocating within or out of Hillside is greater than the national average, making it a fairly expensive process. This makes sense considering the cost of living in Hillside is above 93.2% of the country.
Moving expenses add up quickly, as there are various factors involved. The following are common moving expenses:
These extra considerations can add even more to your total cost:
Professional movers may charge more to move fragile, oversized or valuable items. These items can be more expensive to move:
Ask movers whether they move these items and charge additional fees for them.
While tipping movers is optional, it's customary to tip if they provide quality service. For local moves, a typical tip is $5–$10 per mover per hour. For long-distance moves, tip $20–$40 per mover per day.
Bad weather, traffic, transportation emergencies and limited supplies can all delay your move and increase the time and cost. There’s no way to prevent unexpected delays, but you can prepare for them by having a flexible schedule and adding 25% more than your movers quote you to your budget.
Experts Ready to Help
Consider these ways to lower moving costs in Hillside.
To prevent unexpected charges on your moving day, maintain open communication with your movers, especially about items you add to your inventory after getting a quote from the movers.
While small items can usually be accommodated without issue, larger pieces such as new furniture or appliances should be discussed before the move. Additional fees may apply for these items, and your movers won’t begin the move until you’ve agreed to the charges.
Reliable, affordable movers are highly sought after. Consider moving in the off-season or on a weekday to reduce costs and still book your preferred moving team.
Most people hire moving companies between May and September. If your timeline is flexible, moving during less hectic months may result in lower rates or less competitionfor services.
There are several alternatives if you can't find a cost - effective moving provider that meets your needs.
Handling the move on your own is an option. Before going this route, consider the following costs along with the labor required:
Your family, friends or neighbors may also need to help you move, especially if you have bulky items such as furniture. Professional movers provide significant value if you don’t have the time or support to commit to moving yourself.
You can also find movers on service marketplaces such as Fiverr or Thumbtack, which can be more affordable. However, these independent contractors may not have proper licensing or insurance.
When you opt for full-service moving, your hired movers will take care of every part of the moving process. This includes providing packing supplies, providing packing services for your belongings, transporting them to the new location and unpacking them.
Full-service moving costs more than services that only include loading and transporting your items, but it can be worth it considering the time, labor and packing materials you'll save. Additionally, full-service moving can provide better insurance coverage, as self-packed goods are generally only protected up to 60 cents per dollar, and it can be tough to get a claim approved for self-packed damaged items.
All legitimate moving businesses will display proof of registration on their moving trucks and on all official documents such as estimates and contracts. As stated above, you should verify a company’s USDOT and MC numbers when planning an out of state move by checking the official FMCSA website. Moving companies in New Jersey are also required to have a license from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
You’ll also need to learn about your mover’s insurance policies. Released-value coverage applies to all moves, which insures 60 cents per pound per item. However, you may want to inquire about full-value protection, which most movers offer at an extra cost, if your belongings include high-worth items.
The peak moving time is between the warmer months of May to September, resulting in fewer available movers and considerably increased prices across the U.S. for moves of all kinds. This could prevent you from a summer move, given the higher costs. However, you may also want to put off moving in the winter because of New Jersey's cold and potentially snowy conditions.
We suggest scheduling your move in the spring or early fall months to take advantage of pleasant weather and lower costs for moving services.
To be safe, keep essential financial records, keepsakes and identification documents in your personal car. We also recommend keeping expensive technology with you while moving.
Many moving companies cap insurance coverage on high-value items, like jewelry and family heirlooms. Keep these yourself, as well as any other irreplaceable belongings, if you're concerned about potential loss or damage.
There are certain goods and items prohibited for transportation by moving companies. These include the following:
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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