Can I Hire Movers Just to Unload a Truck?

Can You Hire a Moving Company Just to Unload a Truck?

Yes, it is possible to hire movers only to load or unload your truck. Most professional movers offer an hourly labor rate, which you can take advantage of to unload your rental truck. Though not every moving company offers hourly labor rates, most movers will be happy to assist you in unloading a truck, even if this option isn’t explicitly listed on the company’s website.

The price that you’ll pay per hour may vary depending on your type of move. As a general rule, you should expect to pay between $75 and $300 per hour for moving labor services. Some of the things that may increase the price of your unloading services include:

• Moving during the busy season (typically between May and August)
• Undergoing a move with lots of heavy lifting and furniture
• Moving with a large, awkwardly shaped item (for example, a piano)

Labeling all of your boxes and informing your moving company ahead of time about the contents of your move can help your movers provide you with the most accurate moving quote possible. 

Why Hire a Moving Company to Unload Your Truck?

Though hiring a moving company to unload your truck will increase the price of your move when compared to handling all of your own loading and transportation, there are a few benefits that come with outsourcing your unloading to the professionals. Some of the reasons why you might want to consider hiring a moving company to unload your rental truck include the following.

• Less damage to your things: Moving companies understand that there’s a particular way that you’ll need to unload your moving truck in order to limit the possibility of damage. Hiring movers to help you unload your truck can help you finish your unpacking without breaking any of your household items.
• Less risk of injury: If you’re moving many heavy items, you could be putting yourself at the risk of a hernia or muscle strain if you lift these items without proper form. Heavy furniture, in particular, can pose a unique health and safety risk. Movers are professionals who understand how to lift even very heavy items while limiting the risk of injury. Getting unloading help can be particularly beneficial for anyone moving with an older family member, who may be at an increased risk of injury.
• Start unpacking immediately: When you hire a moving company to tackle your unloading services for you, you can begin unpacking as soon as you arrive at your new home. This can help you speed up your move, which can be beneficial if you’re moving on a strict timeline. 

How to Choose a Moving Company For Unloading

If you’ve never hired a moving company in the past, you might not be sure what you should look for when searching for a reliable team to assist you with unloading. Let’s take a look at a few of the things you should consider when you explore moving helpers in your area.

• Services offered: There are multiple types of moving companies. If you’re looking for a moving company only to help you unload a truck, you may want to look for a partial-service moving company instead of a full-service moving company. Full-service moving companies offer a wider range of services (for example, packing services and storage unit arrangement) but tend to charge more per hour than comparable partial moving companies.
• Customer reviews: We highly recommend that you check out a few customer reviews on third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Yelp before you select a moving company to assist with unloading. Be sure to look for reviews that mention how well the company handles items to get a better idea of how each moving team will likely treat your things.
• Pricing: If you’re like most movers, you likely rented a U-Haul or other moving truck to save money on your moving experience. Every moving labor service charges its own individual rates, which means that it’s entirely possible to get the exact same moving services from 10 different movers at 10 completely different price points.

We recommend that you get a moving quote from at least 3 competing moving services before you decide which company you want to work with. Most companies within the moving industry now allow you to get an online quote in as little as a few minutes. If you’re having trouble finding moving companies providing quotes online for loading and unloading services, don’t be afraid to call a few companies directly. Most movers will be more than happy to provide you with a free quote for labor services over the phone. 

Alternatives to Hiring a Moving Company for Unloading

If hiring a moving company to tackle your unloading services isn’t in your budget right now, you have additional options that you can use to lessen the burden of your move. Consider the following alternatives to moving labor services below if you can’t find an option that works for you in your new area.

• HireAHelper: HireAHelper is an online moving service provider with 10 years of experience helping homeowners find moving services. Simply visit HireAHelper online, enter some information about your move and begin comparing unloading services. If you don’t have your own truck for moving, HireAHelper can also help you arrange transportation services.
• Freelance movers: There are many freelance service marketplaces that can match you up with labor services in your area. These services can help you move at more affordable rates than traditional moving service providers. Consider checking out websites like TaskRabbit or Craigslist when searching for labor services. Be sure to speak with your potential movers before you hire them to ensure that they’re available on the date you arrive at your new home and that they know how to be careful with your moving boxes.
• Enlist friends to help: The most affordable option when you’re looking for assistance unloading a moving truck is to enlist the help of friends or family members. Though it might be embarrassing to ask for help, most people will be more than happy to lend a hand when you need them.

Scheduling well ahead of time is the key to finding friends who can help you move. Be sure to give your friends at least a few weeks of notice so they can check their work schedules and make time for you. Avoid changing your moving date unless it’s absolutely necessary, and be sure to thank your friends for their help with a pizza or dinner of their choice. 

Should You Hire Movers to Unload Your Truck?

If you’ve ever completed a long-distance move in the past, you probably already know that moving can be a long, frustrating and expensive process. Hiring a moving team to help you unload your truck can be a more affordable way to take some of the stress off of you and your family when moving without the cost of hiring a full-service moving company. In order to get the most out of your unloading services, be sure to do the following before you hit the road.

• Label your boxes: Labeling all of your moving boxes will help your movers know where they should unload each box. This also saves time for you by limiting the amount of moving around that you’ll need to do when you get to unpacking. Click on the image below to access free moving labels that you can use to organize your move.
• Inform your movers of heavy items beforehand: If you’re moving large furniture, your moving team might need to bring specialized equipment along with them to ensure that they can get everything off of your moving truck without risking damage. Be sure to inform your moving company of any large items that will need to be unloaded at your home.
• Don’t leave boxes half-filled: When you’re packing up your home, be sure that each of your moving boxes is full but not overfilled. Packing boxes uptight can help limit the possibility of damage during the moving and unloading processes.

Additionally, you should also inform your movers ahead of time about any stairs in your new home, as some moving companies charge an additional fee for very laborious moves. A bit of planning ahead can help you get the best possible pricing on your moving labor services.