We are pleased to announce that LocalMovers.com has recognized and listed MASH Movers as one of their top local movers in Austin!
Do Moving Companies Pack for You? How Does It Work?
You’re gearing up for your move. After making a list and checking it twice, you’re down to a handful of tasks left. The biggest one? Packing your stuff — everything from your comfy bed and favorite guitar to your well-loved sneakers and album collection.
If you don’t have time or even just find the thought overwhelming, you might wonder how professional packing works for moving services in Austin, TX. Do moving companies pack for you?
Do Moving Companies Pack Your Stuff for You?
Packing and moving companies have their own services, so what they offer customers will vary. Some moving companies arrive at your door ready to load your pre-packed belongings, while others may offer packing services as well.
Pro tip: Look for a phrase like “full moving service” as you search the company’s website and list of services. They might also advertise as “movers packers.” These moving and packing services help save you time and give you a rest from the hard work.
All About Professional Packing Services
What can you expect when you hire packers? Let’s break it down.
Professional packing services let you hire experts to pack up your belongings. These professional packers may arrive with the supplies they need to do the job, or they might use what you’ve already purchased.
These are supplies like:
Cardboard boxes
Bubble wrap
Packing tape
Pens and markers
Newsprint
It’s best to walk with the packers from room to room, showing them what you have. This overview helps them gauge how long it will take to pack up your belongings and get them ready for the truck.
So, how many hours should it take professionals to pack? In general, expect about 2-4 hours for a studio or one bedroom, 3-6 hours for two bedrooms, 6-8 hours for three bedrooms, and 8-10 hours (or more) for four-plus bedrooms.
Some items are more fragile than others, so how long it takes varies from house to house. Since full-service movers have expert skills, they’ll get right to work on your belongings and help you stay organized by labeling boxes by room.
If you want to know how long it would take us to pack in your specific instance, give us a call at +1 512-596-4214.
What Will You Still Need to Do If You Hire Packers?
There are some things that moving companies may not pack. Most often, it comes down to worker safety and liability. Exactly what those are depends on the company, but movers typically don’t pack the following items:
Perishables like food
Pressurized or flammable items
Live plants
Solvents and household cleaners
Ammunition and firearms
High-value items and heirlooms
Outdoor equipment
Liquor
Fireworks
Can Movers Pack and Move on the Same Day?
While it’s possible to fit in packing into the morning and moving in the afternoon, this schedule might only work for studios or very small one-bedroom apartments.
Your movers might be full-service, but moving is hard work. That’s why local moving companies in Austin, TX, and elsewhere factor break times into their work schedule.
Are There Companies That Pack and Move for You?
Packing and moving companies that advertise as “full-service movers” pack your belongings, load them up, and unload them at your new address. But not all moving companies are full service. If you can’t find those words in the advertisements for a moving company, give them a call to find out.
Can I Hire Movers Just To Load a Truck?
You can hire movers just to load a truck, which is quite common. However, truck-loading is a separate service, so make sure the company offers loading (or unloading) as an option. If you’re on a budget, you could stretch your dollars by hiring the professionals to get everything on the truck, and then moving your own stuff.
Get the Support You Need From MASH Movers
Moving can be stressful. If you’re looking to keep disruption to a minimum while you try to find local moving companies in Austin, TX, let the professionals at MASH Movers lend a hand. We’re hardworking, trustworthy folks and can’t wait to get you settled into your new home.
As full-service movers in Austin, we’ll pack your belongings with care and use our superstar skills to load and unload like the pros we are. Prefer to do your own packing? No problem. You can leave the heavy lifting to us.
Contact us today for a free moving quote, and find out how MASH Movers can bring the calm back into your life.
How to Identify & Avoid 4 Common Moving Scams
The internet is full of moving horror stories, and it's easy to let tales of items being held for ransom, massive surprise fees, or stolen belongings deter you from hiring movers. But don’t worry – when it comes to protecting your property, knowledge is power. Knowing how to identify moving scams is one of the best ways to keep your experience from turning into a nightmare. Let’s take a closer look.
4 Common Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them
Before you can ensure you avoid moving scams, you’ll have to make sure you know what they tend to look like. Here are four common moving scams and tips to help you dodge them.
1. Upfront Deposits
One of the most popular moving company scams is to ask for a large amount of money before moving your belongings. No reputable mover will do this. Paying it all upfront gives the movers no incentive to take your goods from Point A to Point B. Instead, they could run off with your things and money!
Asking for a small down payment is an industry standard, but if a company asks you to pay in full before the job is done, that's a red flag and more than likely a moving scam.
2. Blank Contracts
Some scammers might ask you to sign a blank or incomplete document. Don't fall for it! They might go back later and add extra charges or unreasonable terms. And if you've already signed it, they can hold you to your end of the deal, even if you didn't know what it entailed.
Regardless of how much you like a company or how nice the movers seem, make sure everything — price estimate, additional fees, and pickup and delivery dates — is in writing. And, if you have any questions about moving rates or fees, please ask!
3. Surprise Additional Fees
It's not unusual for a moving company to charge a few extra dollars for things like packing supplies, disassembling or reassembling furniture, or long-distance travel. Reputable companies tell you about anything that incurs additional fees ahead of time, not hit you with surprise charges on delivery day, as a scam mover might.
If there are any circumstances surrounding your move that you think might lead to extra fees, ask about them during the estimate process.
4. Lowball Estimates
Be wary of any company that offers a price that seems too good to be true. Someone who's trying to take advantage of you will likely either refuse to offer an estimate, or offer one that’s unbelievably low – all without asking questions about your place and the items you need moved.
Then, when it comes time to pay the bill, you might get hit with a price that’s very different from what you had expected. Whether it’s an intentional tactic used to mislead you about the true cost of moving or the result of a lack of thoroughness on your moving company’s end, lowballing is a common issue or scam to look out for.
While some movers charge for their services based on the weight of your items, MASH Movers uses an hourly rate that’s based on the size of your space.
We’ll also ask you to complete a brief survey before your move that helps us understand your needs. Our hourly charge is prorated to the nearest 15 minutes to ensure our customers only pay for the services we’re providing.
Trust Reputable Local Companies Like MASH Movers
When hiring a moving company, working with people in your community can often help you save some money and have a more personalized experience. But it’s important to do your homework on the movers you’re considering and trust your gut as you do – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Here at MASH Movers, we’re proud to be among the friendliest and most reliable of Austin's local movers. We’re more than just movers, though – we’re your neighbors, peers, and advocates. If we see you in HEB after your move, we’ll always say “Hello!”
We’re a small organization of passionate people who rely on positive feedback and experiences to serve our community. You can always count on us to get the job done right and be fully transparent with you while doing so.
MASH prides itself on being one of the best moving companies Austin has to offer. But you don’t have to just take our word for it. If you're looking for movers in Austin, Texas, reach out today to start a conversation and learn more.
The Ultimate Moving Out Checklist: Get Everything Done Right!
Moving into a new house is always exciting, but the process of moving out of your old house or apartment can also be bittersweet. No matter how much you're looking forward to your new life, saying goodbye to what once was home can be sad – and stressful. A moving-out checklist can help you simplify the process of packing up your space so that you can focus on making the most of your last days in your space (or getting hyped for your new one!).
We've compiled some of the best tips for moving out to help you ensure you don't leave anything behind when starting a new chapter in your life. Let’s get started!
General Moving-Out Checklist Items
When moving out, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different things you have to do. Break your tasks down into individual components to keep things simple and stress-free.
Before moving out, take stock of how things work at your old house. Then, you can divide the big picture into smaller items that you can more easily manage. Below are some examples of quick, approachable tasks that you can do to kickstart the move-out process.
Get adequate packing materials.
Packing up all your stuff is much easier if you make sure you have enough boxes beforehand. It's also a good idea to take stock of any fragile items you have and make sure you have the necessary packing materials (like bubble wrap and packing foam) to prevent damage during moving.
Cancel utilities.
Make sure you cancel your gas, water, electricity, and any other utilities you pay for. After all, you don't want to get more bills for utilities you're no longer using in your new house!
Cancel cable and internet services.
Likewise, make sure you cancel your cable TV and internet services for your old house. If you want to stick with the same provider, you can often update your subscription for your new address.
Update your address.
Even with so many services done online nowadays, you probably still rely on snail mail for many important functions.
Before moving, make sure you update your address with your bank, credit card companies, subscriptions, and friends and loved ones. You can also submit a change of address form with the post office to make sure that any mail sent to your old address gets forwarded to your new one.
Make any necessary repairs.
Before you move out, go around your house or apartment and identify any minor damages or blemishes that you can repair. In addition to being good etiquette for the house's new residents, this will also prevent any later repair charges from your landlord or tempt buyers to pay your asking price.
Make a first-night "go kit."
When you're packing everything up, it can be easy to accidentally bury something important deep in a box.
Set aside things you'll need for the last days at your old house or apartment and the first days at your new one — like medications, toiletries, pet treats, a child's favorite toy, and anything else you might need every day or in stressful and tiring situations.
Moving Out Checklist By Room
After going through your house-wide moving checklist, you can make checklists for each of your rooms. Let’s look at some examples.
Bedrooms
Here are a few specific items you might want to include on your bedroom packing list:
Mattresses
Desks and easy chairs
Bedside tables
Lamps
Chargers
Electronic devices
Clocks
Radios
Books
Shelves
Sheets and linens
Pillows
Beds and other furniture
Any items stored in your bedroom closet
Pro Tip: Once you pack up your bedding and furniture, look through your closet to make sure you don't leave anything behind. Also, make sure you have any bedside phone chargers that may be hidden in an outlet somewhere.
Bathrooms
These will likely be some of the last rooms you pack up, but don’t underestimate how much stuff you might have hiding in cabinets and drawers! As you prep to move out, make sure that you pack up all of your:
Towels and linens
Soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, and other toiletries
Razors and shaving items
Linens
Bathmats
Kitchen & Dining Room
Go through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry to throw out any perishable items. Once you've gotten rid of them, you can start packing up:
Plates and bowls
Utensils
Cleaning products
Canned, preserved, and non-perishable food items
Food storage containers
Small kitchen appliances
Pots and pans
Tablecloths, napkins, and other linens
Your dining room likely has more valuable (and fragile) china, so make sure you have good packing materials to prevent damage during moving.
Living Rooms
Your living room move-out checklist can include:
TV sets
Sound systems
DVD, video game, and music collections
Chairs and sofas
Cushions
Footrests
Tables
Lamps
Framed pictures
As you pack up your main living space, we recommend removing any furniture (as best as you can) to make it easier to move your electronics later.
Get Help With Moving Out in Austin
Moving out is always much easier when you have the best moving partners to help. The team here at MASH Movers features some of the best residential movers Austin, Texas, has to offer.
We’re your friendly community moving company with a passion for helping folks just like you have a stress-free, positive experience. If you are moving around the Austin area, get in touch with MASH Movers today!
How Much Does it Cost to Move in Austin, TX?
There are plenty of reasons you might want to call Austin, Texas home. Trust us, we're area experts. All of us at MASH Movers are artists and musicians who live and work in the Lone Star State's capital city. The job market is booming, there's plenty to do – and the food and drinks? Unmatched.
If you're planning on moving to Austin, TX — whether you're from somewhere else or an Austin local shifting to another part of the city — you'll need to know how much you'll have to spend to make that happen. The exact costs will depend on how much you need to move and to where, but you can probably expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
But don’t worry; there are plenty of things you can do to lower the cost of moving. Plan wisely, and you can manage your move like a pro.
Average Costs of Moving
According to Forbes, the average cost of a local move for a three-bedroom home is between $300 and $6,900. Meanwhile, long-distance moves can range from $3,200 to $17,000.
Austin is growing, and it’s growing fast – it’s now ranked the 10th largest city in the US! Tons of new homes are popping up to support the expanding population, which is good news for anyone looking to move.
There might be plenty of places to live, but that doesn’t mean moving is necessarily cheaper. Depending on where you’re coming from, the cost of doing just about anything in Austin might be more or less than what you’re used to.
Pro Tip: A quick cost of living comparison can help you determine how similar life in Austin is to your current location.
What factors contribute to moving costs?
There are six main factors that might contribute to the cost of moving in Austin (whether you move yourself or hire professional movers):
Home size. The size of your home plays a big role in determining how long it takes movers to get all your stuff out. If you move on your own, the longer it takes to get the job done, the more secondary expenses–time off work, supplies, food for all that labor–can pile up.
Home items. The more you have to move, the longer it will take. That also means it will cost more, at least if you hire professional movers. Larger or more delicate items could also require specialty packaging and can add to your total, too.
Distance. Where exactly you're moving to determines how much you pay. It costs less to pay movers to take your things a few blocks away than across the city.
Number of professional movers needed. If you decide you want to hire movers, don't forget to factor in how many movers you may need. With huge pieces of furniture, you'll need at least two movers.
Preparation. The more prepared you are, with boxes packed and taped, the faster it will go.
Accessibility. If your home has some sort of obstacle that could slow or complicate the moving process — multiple flights of stairs or lack of parking, for example — a moving company might charge additional fees.
How to Lower Moving Costs
There's no getting around it. If you plan on moving, be prepared to pay at least a little. But don't worry. If you bring three practices — timing your move right, downsizing, and negotiating — into your moving strategy, you can get your belongings from Point A to B without breaking the bank.
Time your move right
If you can, try to move in the middle of the month. Here's why: movers are super busy at the beginning and end of the month when leases end. By choosing a less hectic time, you'll have a better chance of getting the day and time you want for your move.
Downsize
If you were looking for the perfect time to "Marie Kondo" your space, an upcoming move is it. As you pack your belongings, donate, sell, or trash the items you no longer use or have space for. The fewer items you have to move, the easier your life becomes.
Negotiate
While we aren't free, MASH Movers does offer customers packing supplies, including boxes, tape, newsprint, and bubble wrap. You only pay for what you use, so you don't have to worry about wasting money on items you don't need.
We’re your friendly local movers, so your experience is always our priority. Whether you’ve got a tiny studio or a sprawling Mansion, our team is here to help you save time (and money!) wherever you can.
Start a conversation today to get the ball rolling. Contact us for more information on packing supply and delivery or to get a free moving quote.
Should I Hire Movers or Move Myself? Things to Consider
You went house or apartment hunting, found the perfect place to live, paid the deposit, and signed all the paperwork. Now it’s time for the hardest step: moving in.
Moving can take a lot of your time or money—if not both. While having professional movers give you a helping hand is convenient, it can also be expensive. And though it may be tempting to try to DIY your move, the exhausting and stressful process can impact more than just your wallet.
So, all of this might leave you wondering: Should I hire movers or move myself? Let’s break down the basics of self-moving vs. hiring professional movers.
Should I Move Myself?
A self-move is exactly what it sounds like. You pack your things, load them into a vehicle, and then unpack at your destination. While handling the move yourself can be more affordable, it can come with many challenges.
Pros
Many DIY movers are drawn to the cost savings of skipping the moving companies. They may also want to have complete control over the moving process, oversee the handling of their belongings, and be able to move at their own pace.
A DIY move can be manageable if you’re moving less stuff or already have a vehicle capable of handling a heavy load.
Cons
If you don’t have free assistance from family and friends or are moving a lot more stuff, trying to handle it yourself may be more trouble than it’s worth.
No matter how much you’re moving, self-moving can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Dealing with larger and heavier items without professional assistance can be more than just exhausting — it can lead to damage to your property or even injuries.
Beyond the investment of time and effort, self-moving comes with associated costs. These can include:
Renting a moving truck
Covering fuel cost and mileage
Renting equipment like dollies or furniture pads
Purchasing packing supplies like boxes, tape, cushioning, and more
Should I Hire Professional Movers?
Professional movers can load your boxes, move items from point A to point B, and unload your belongings at your new place. This option requires more upfront investment but is also the most efficient and stress-free.
So, is hiring movers worth it? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Pros
One of the main benefits of hiring movers is time. By handing off the most exhausting and time-consuming tasks to local movers, you have the space and time to focus on what’s important — getting you (and your loved ones) settled into your new home.
Professional movers also bring experience and expertise to the table. Trained professional movers can quickly and efficiently navigate even the most complex moving jobs. From bulky pieces of furniture to fragile boxes, they handle all the logistics for you. While this can come with a higher price tag, the experience of a seamless and stress-free move can be well worth it.
Cons
Even with all the benefits of hiring a mover, remember it takes an investment. It may also cost extra if you move farther away, move with more belongings, or add additional services like packing and labeling.
While it can be freeing for some people to hand over the process to professionals, you won’t have the same control over the moving process that you’d get with a DIY move. (Note that you can bypass some of the costs while still enjoying the benefits of hiring a moving team by working with a smaller group of local movers.)
MASH: The Best Movers in Austin, TX
So, should you move yourself, or is it better to hire the pros? Ultimately, it all comes down to your budget, living space size, and preferences.
You might be able to handle small, simple moves on your own. Hiring a professional can save you more in the long run, taking both the associated expenses and the time-consuming burden of moving off your plate.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Trust your gut, but remember that hiring a professional moving company doesn’t have to be extremely expensive; in fact, it might offer more perks than you realize.
Ready to hire professional movers in Austin, TX? Whether moving into an apartment building in the city or a new house in the suburbs, you don’t have to handle your move alone. At MASH Movers, our team of friendly and capable movers want to make your move as smooth and efficient as possible.
Learn more about what we do, or contact us today to schedule your move!
8 Packing & Moving Tips to Make Relocating a Breeze
Moving into a new home is often exciting, seldom easy, but always a deeply personal experience. After all, you’re not just adjusting to a new space – you’re physically picking up everything you hold near and dear to move it somewhere else. We’re here to help you feel confident about your next move with packing tips that are sure to help make life easier.
5 Game-Changing Packing Tips for Moving
1. Use What You Have
You don’t need to spend a fortune to pull off a successful move. In fact, you probably already have what you need to protect most, if not all, of your belongings.
Ditch the wasteful bubble wrap and avoid spending money on packing paper by wrapping your items in clothes, towels, bedding, etc., for extra protection.
Of course, this won’t always be the best course of action for all items (like your great-grandmother’s precious china), but it can still help you significantly cut back on the supplies you buy.
2. Think Outside the Box (Literally)
Moving boxes are a tried-and-true option for packing your stuff efficiently, but they’re not the only option. Pick a packing vessel that makes sense for the items inside, and don’t be afraid to get creative. There are no rules here!
For example, instead of stuffing a box full of heavy books or cans, try packing up a large suitcase so that you can roll it instead of struggling under its weight.
Pack clothes and small items in your hampers, trash cans, or baskets. Consider buying reusable moving bags or totes to store large or oddly-shaped items (and to make it easier to carry things up steps).
3. Label Like a Pro
Save yourself a huge hassle down the road by labeling your moving boxes. Creating a color code system with labels, markers, or sticky notes is a great way to tackle this.
If you’re feeling extra committed, label not only the room the items should go to, but also what you’re putting in each box. Unpacking your items by room is much easier than opening random boxes one at a time.
4. Don’t Toss Those Cardboard Tubes!
You can find little moving helpers all around your home, including in your kitchen or bathroom. The cardboard paper tubes from paper towels and toilet paper rolls are handy storage tools that you can use to keep things rolled up and in place.
This works great for everything from chargers to cords, jewelry, and even posters. Look around your home for other hidden gems that might help make packing easier – you might be surprised by what you come up with!
5. Hire Professional Packers
At the end of the day, packing isn’t for everyone. Maybe you don’t have the time or ability to manage packing all by yourself, or maybe you’d just prefer to have some help.
No matter what, there’s no shame in hiring a professional packing squad to take over or lend a helping hand. How you pack will impact how you move, plain and simple.
More Moving Tips to Save You Time, Money & Stress
Packing is only one piece of the moving puzzle. Here are a few more key moving tips you can use to make the entire process – from packing your first box to breaking down the last – a whole lot easier.
Create a moving checklist. Before you hit the ground running, take some time to sit down and brainstorm everything you need to do to complete your move. Think about when you’ll change your address, for instance, and make plans to do so before things get too chaotic.
Start early. Take whatever timeline you think seems realistic and, if possible, add a few weeks to it. The more time you give yourself to move, the less stressful the experience will be.
Take the opportunity to declutter. If you don’t use it, it’s time to lose it. Moving is a great excuse to let go of items that you don’t need anymore by donating or reselling them. Plus, you’ll have less unpacking to do in your new place.
Pro Tip: Let MASH Movers Make Your Life Easier!
Let’s face it: moving is no small feat. Even with packing and moving tips like these in mind, picking up your whole life to move it somewhere new can still be a big challenge.
MASH is committed to being the best Austin home movers and packers because we understand that the process can be overwhelming. Our best piece of advice is to hire professional movers you know you can trust.
MASH Movers is proud to serve our local community with friendly and professional moving services that take some of the hard work off your shoulders. We know that moving isn’t easy, but we gladly rise to the challenge.
You can count on us to help you protect your belongings and make moving as stress-free as possible. We’re a small team, but we are mighty: our philosophy helps us provide the best-quality services and truly get to know the clients we work with.
Ready to get started? Let’s do it together. Contact MASH Movers today for the best home moving services in Austin.