Are you making plans for an upcoming household move? Unless you plan to DIY your relocation, you have two options when it comes to choosing a mover—hire a moving broker or hire a moving company.

Since these two types of businesses perform a variety of different services, it’s important to understand what you can expect when working with a moving broker versus a moving company.

What is a Moving Broker?

Moving brokers essentially act a negotiator between your household and moving companies. Brokers don’t own moving trucks or equipment, and they are not professional movers. Rather, they work to find a moving company and broker, or sell, your move.

Brokers bid out your relocation to moving companies after providing a moving estimate by phone or online—and collect a fee for performing these services. One of the potential benefits of using a moving broker is that your move could be less expensive than directly hiring a moving company.

Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been working to protect consumers who use moving brokers, there are still some risks involved. A few of these include:

·  A moving company might not accept your job due to a low estimate or available resources. If this is the case, you could find yourself without a mover on the day of your relocation.

·  Uninsured or unlicensed movers could be hired. Once they arrive to pack and transport your belongings, they could charge extra fees if the broker did not provide a detailed project estimate.

·  Brokers don’t accept any liability for the services performed by the moving company that was hired.

What is a Moving Company?

By choosing your own moving company, you’ll work directly with the staff that will coordinate and perform your relocation. Unlike moving brokers, moving companies have professionally trained movers, as well as their own trucks and equipment.

Instead of performing your moving estimate by phone, a moving company should send a professional estimator to your home to inspect your belongings and provide you with an itemized estimate of moving costs prior to your relocation. Since your project estimate is likely to be more accurate, it will be much easier to budget for your move.

Moving companies provide a wide range of moving services, and can work with you to design a move plan that fits your household’s needs and budget. A few of the most popular residential moving services that moving companies provide include:

·  Packing and wrapping of household goods by trained moving crews

·  Stretch wrapping of upholstered furniture

·  Custom crating for antiques, art, and other valuable items

·  Computerized scheduling of packing, loading, tracking, and delivery services

·  Direct loading from your residence to the moving truck

·  Transportation to your new destination

·  Unpacking, unwrapping, and setup of household goods

·  Debris removal

·  Replacement value coverage

Whether you choose to use a moving broker or a moving company, it’s imperative to research the reputation and credibility of the business before you sign any contracts. Two good resources include the Better Business Bureau and the FMCSA.

If you’re planning to relocate to or from Alaska, look no further than Allied Alaska! Our experienced moving company has been providing professional local and long-distance moving services since 1983, and as an agent of Allied Van Lines, we can take you anywhere you need to go. Call us today speak with a knowledgeable team member about your household relocation requirements, or fill out our quick online form to request a free, in-home estimate right now.