Container vs. Full-Service Movers: Which Saves More?

Three ways to move your things

Most people choose one of three options:

• Full-service movers pack (if you want), load, drive and unload for you.
• Moving containers are big boxes a company drops at your home. You load them, the company ships them, and you unload at the other end.
• Rental trucks mean you do everything yourself, including the driving.

There is no single price that fits everyone. The right choice depends on how much you own, how much time you have, and how much help you can get.

When a container can make sense

• Your timing is flexible, because containers ship on the company's schedule
• You have a smaller home or not much furniture
• You have friends, family or hired help to load and unload
• You need storage between homes, since many container companies can store the container for you

When full-service movers can make sense

• You have a large home or heavy furniture like pianos or big dressers
• You need things delivered on a tighter schedule
• You can't lift heavy things or don't have help
• Your new home has stairs or an elevator that you don't want to handle yourself

The rules are not the same

When an interstate mover loads and drives your things, it must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and follow the federal household goods rules. That gives you rights like a written estimate, a choice of Full Value Protection, and at least 9 months to file a damage claim.

With a container that you load, the company may only be moving a sealed box. Its contract may treat it like storage or shipping, not a household goods move, and damage from poor packing is often your problem. Before you book, ask the company:

• Are you registered with FMCSA as a household goods carrier, and what is your USDOT number?
• What happens if the container or my things are damaged in transit?
• Is there insurance or protection I can buy, and what does it cover?
• Where will the container sit, and do I need a permit to park it on my street?

Hidden costs to ask about

Containers: delivery and pickup fees, extra months of storage, a second container if one isn't enough, a city parking permit, and hired labor to load and unload.

Full-service: crew packing and boxes, stairs and long carries, shuttle trucks, storage-in-transit, and the type of protection you choose. Released Value is free but pays only 60 cents per pound per item.

Rental truck: fuel, mileage, tolls, insurance, a hotel on a long drive, and hand-truck or blanket rentals.

How to decide

1. Make a list of what you're moving, room by room.
2. Get written prices for all three options using that same list.
3. Add every extra cost you can find, including your own time off work.
4. Look up any mover or container company on the FMCSA website if your move crosses a state line.
5. Pick the option where the total cost and the risk are both something you can live with.

Our calculator can give you a starting range, but only written estimates from real companies can tell you what your move will cost.

Questions to ask any company

• Can you give me the price in writing, with all fees listed?
• How long will delivery take, and is the date guaranteed?
• What happens if my new home isn't ready?
• Who do I call if something goes wrong during the trip?

Write the answers down and keep them with your paperwork. If a company won't answer clearly, that tells you a lot.