One of the most stressful life experiences involves moving – moving down the road, across the state or over the ocean. Lots of planning and careful research is needed when contemplating a move. Because moving one's household is never easy, it's important to consider using a moving company. There are five important reasons to remember when debating about using a moving company:

#1: A moving company has professional grade materials to use in packing and protecting household goods. Damage is always a possibility during a move, so good packing materials are very important. A moving company buys all their materials at bulk rates, so they can offer prices on materials such as boxes, tape, and packing paper at much lower costs than is available to individuals.

#2: A moving company has professionally trained employees who have the skills to pack all kinds of items like lamps, glassware, antiques, computers, TVs or other fragile items. Packing household goods securely and efficiently takes practice. Ordinary people don't usually have the skill to ensure their goods arrive undamaged.

#3: A moving company is aware of the required documentation necessary to move short distances or cross borders. They also have moving preparation kits with inventory forms, pre-move checklists, change of address forms, and post-move checklists.

#4: A moving company has the knowledge of local companies at the destination that have a roster of local workers who are available for unloading, unpacking, clean up or damage assessment. Those moving independently would not have such knowledge of the local companies and would have a more difficult time finding trustworthy labor.

#5: A moving company is able to deal with the problems of moving things so that the family can deal with all the other components of moving such as how to say goodbye to friends and other family members, obtaining a place to stay in the new location, finding schools for the children and just learning how to live in the location.

Thousands of people move every year. There are hundreds of moving companies providing services. Because of the large numbers of companies, moving rates are very competitive. There are all sizes of vehicles for all sizes of loads. Neither the size of a moving company nor the size of the load will absolutely determine the cost of the service. Actually a big company can usually quote a less expensive price because they can consolidate small shipments.

Certainly the price of the moving services can be an important part of the decision to use a moving company, but it shouldn't be the only one. Packing and moving boxes and lifting and moving furniture is very hard work. Moving company crews know how to do those tasks very quickly and safely. It's a very good idea to use a moving company because it is less stressful, easier, safer and more convenient. Because balancing the need to protect the household goods of a family or an individual as well as reducing the stress of a move to a new location against the price of the moving service is a difficult equation, it is very important to allow enough time to weigh all the factors in the move. Thorough, calm analysis will lead to a sensible decision.