Can you hire movers to move one item? Find single item movers.

Every moving scenario is unique and every relocation case has its own specific requirements. Moving across the ocean is very different from moving across town and moving a 4-bedroom house is quite unlike moving a studio apartment – you will need different kinds of moving services and even different types of moving companies for each particular relocation instance.

If you’re moving a single piece of furniture, for example, or just one specialty item, you won’t need regular full service movers – yours is a mini move and you need small scale movers. Many moving companies offer partial load moving services, but it may not be easy to find single item movers who suit all your requirements and fit within your budget.

Here is what to do if you need single item moving services:

Why you may need help moving one item?

Moving a single item sounds easy enough – you can just transport it in your car or borrow a pickup truck if it’s a bulkier object. Even if you’re moving a heavy piece of equipment or a large furniture item that you can’t lift and carry on your own, or you don’t have (and don’t know anyone who has) a big enough vehicle that can fit the item, you can still move it yourself – all you need to do is rent a small moving van and ask a couple of friends to give you a hand. This would be the cheapest way to move a single item – you’ll only need to pay the truck rental fee and buy your friends lunch (or think of some other good way to thank them for their help).

Related: DIY moving tips

So, why would you consider single item moving service? Why pay one-item movers when you can manage on your own?

There are, in fact, many cases when hiring professional moving help to relocate a single item makes sense:

• When the item is highly valuable (either monetarily or sentimentally) and you don’t want to risk damaging it during transit;
• When the item is very delicate (piano, piece of art, grandfather clock, etc.) and requires extra care;
• When the item is extremely heavy and you don’t want to risk your safety (you can hurt your back, pull a muscle, or sustain some other injury when attempting to move a heavy object by yourself – or even with a friend) and the safety of your property (when carrying a heavy item around, you can bump it against a wall, hit the banisters, etc.; or you can drop it and cause severe damage to the floor, stairs, etc.);
• When you’re relocating a specialty item (pool table, hot tub, etc.) that has special moving requirements.

Professional movers have the rich experience, expert skills, and technical know-how to safely and efficiently move all kinds of items. What’s more, they have quality packing supplies and state-of-the-art moving equipment, so they can ensure the best possible protection to your item and prevent damage to your property during the move. Not to mention that your treasured possession will be insured when it is moved by a professional moving company.

Related: Reasons to hire professional movers

Will movers move a single item?

Movers strive for efficiency in their job, so they won’t be willing to spare a truck and a crew to move a single item – unless you’re willing to pay them well for the job.

If you need help moving one piece of furniture, a large appliance, or some other specialty item across town (or anywhere within your area), it’s best to ask your friends to give you a hand – local movers charge by the hour and most companies have a two- to four-hour minimum, so even if they agree to relocate your item, you’ll end up paying for more time than your mini move will actually take. Hiring moving labor is also a good option when moving a single item locally.

See also: What do local movers cost

If you need to move one item across the country, it won’t be difficult to find professional help – long-distance movers use big trailers to transport household goods across the states and usually have enough space in the trucks to take a few extra items along the way. Moving partial loads allows for maximum efficiency (several shipments will be transported at once) and helps secure the items in the truck (nothing will shift and slide around the moving vehicle – and break as a result – when the truck is packed to the brim), so cross country movers will be willing to include your item in a haul they’re already doing along the same route. You’ll be paying only for the weight of your item – though sometimes the cost per pound may be higher than if you were moving an entire house (to compensate for the inconvenience of picking up such a small amount).

See also: How much do cross country movers cost

Keep in mind though that it won’t be easy to find a mover willing to relocate one item during the summer months – most movers are fully booked during peak moving season and don’t have any extra room on their trucks.

How to find single item movers?

When it comes to single item moving, you will need to do some careful research in order to find reputable moving professionals that suit your particular relocation needs:

• Ask around your circle of friends, relatives, coworkers, and neighbors to find out if any of them have recently used the services of a good moving company. Call the movers whose services you’ve been recommended to see if they would be willing to move a single item for you;
• Read moving reviews and check customer ratings to find several reputable single item movers near you;
• Get quotes from three or four highly-rated single item moving companies and compare the offers in terms of price and quality of service (movers’ experience, specialized equipment, additional services and their rates, liability coverage, etc.);
• Research the one item movers that seem to best suit your needs – check out their licensing and insurance information, the companies’ ratings with the BBB, etc. (See also: How to avoid moving scams; What are the red flags of moving fraud);
• Discuss the details of your one-item move with the professionals (required extra services, specific handling requirements, appropriate insurance options, pick-up and delivery days, possible difficulties and delays, etc.) and choose the best single item movers for your needs.

What to know when moving a single item

Whether you’re moving one piece of furniture long distance or taking a valuable family heirloom from your old home to your new place across town, hiring single items movers to do the job for you is your easiest, safest, and most efficient moving option.

• When shipping a partial load you’ll be sharing the space in the moving truck with other people’s items, so you’ll be sharing the transportation costs as well. You won’t have to worry about minimum weight requirements or hidden charges (See also: Sharing moving truck space to share moving costs);
• The final cost of your mini move will be determined by the actual weight of your item, the relocation distance, and the extra services you require – crating, furniture disassembly, hoisting services, etc.;
• Most single item movers can’t guarantee the delivery date – it may take a while for your item to arrive. If you’re pressed for time and want your shipment delivered on a certain date, you’ll have to pay an extra fee for the express delivery;
• It is very important to clearly label the item you’re entrusting to the movers with your name and all other relevant information (final destination, handling instructions, etc.). This will help prevent losing your item or mixing it with other people’s belongings traveling in the same truck;
• If you are moving a valuable item, you’re strongly advised to purchase additional moving insurance to ensure your peace of mind.

With the help of single item movers, your treasured article will arrive at its final destination intact and unscathed – and you will save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Quite a good deal, don’t you think?