Austin’s Leading Long-Distance Mover

Suddath offers both in-home surveys and virtual walk-throughs to provide easy estimates for cross-country moves.

During a home survey, a Suddath representative will go with you through your home room by room to assess what needs to be moved. The walkthrough will be arranged for a time that is convenient for you. If you choose an in-home estimate, we will set an appointment with you at your home. If you prefer our virtual walkthrough, you will simply use your smartphone or tablet to give our team a video walk-through of your home.

Once the walk-through of your choice is complete, you will have two options:

• A non-binding estimate - this estimate is based on the total weight of your shipment. Keep in mind that we will not know the exact weight until moving day when all your items are loaded onto the truck.
• A binding estimate - the cost of your move is provided up front. So, if the final weight is above or below the estimate, you will only pay the rate we quoted to you.

The most important resource you have at your disposal is research. Look for these elements to ensure a moving company is reputable:

• Read third-party Google reviews for “Best Austin Moving Companies”
• Reviews from independent organizations like the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). They can verify that the long-distance moving companies you are considering are established and accredited.
• Don’t just look at positive reviews – see if the company responds to complaints, as this shows how they handle conflict when issues do arise.
• Verify that your long-distance moving company has a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) number on the FMSCA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) official website, as this is a requirement for all commercial carrier vehicles.
• Ensure they have a thorough quote process. While “instant” quotes are good for getting an idea for your budget, any reputable mover should require a home survey to ensure a proper moving plan.

Our team has put together a list of things you may want to ask interstate movers in Austin, TX concerning the specific costs associated with a long-distance move. We have also shared a few more ways to ensure the legitimacy of a moving company, such as checking on online presence, industry recognition and more.

After moving people for over a century, and managing an average of 50,000 moves per year, Suddath knows almost everything there is to know about moving.

We’ve used that expertise to compile a detailed moving checklist that will give you a good timeline for your move, with tasks to accomplish each week leading up to moving day. This is also why we provide each customer with a move coordinator who can help answer questions and direct you in ways that make your move easier.

Understanding what you want to bring is important, but probably most important is knowing early on what you’re not bringing. Moves are priced by the weight of what is being shipped, so purging and organizing can not only be helpful, but it can save you money as well.

Knowing what can’t come with you is also helpful. By law, there are certain items that are considered “non-allowables” that we cannot safely (or legally) load onto the truck. Things like paint, chemicals, flammables and more fall under this category. For a detailed list, check out our blog here.

You will be automatically provided with a standard $0.60 per lb. valuation, free of charge. This means that if a 1 lb. item is broken or damaged, you would be compensated $0.60. We are happy to provide additional valuation coverage to every customer that wants more protection. One thing you should keep in mind is that valuation coverage is not insurance. In order to procure insurance for your interstate move, you will need to work through a licensed insurance company.

Learn more about your valuation coverage options in our blog post on the subject.

In industry lingo, a move over fifty miles is typically considered to be a long-distance one. Anything less than that would be a local move. Long-distance moves can be within the same state (intrastate like a Texas move would be for our Austin movers) or between states or even cross country. Once a move takes place between two countries, that’s an international move.

Each of the moving companies in Austin can set their own rates and design their relocation estimates however they choose. As far as Suddath, we’ll gladly share how we construct our personalized quotes for our long-distance Austin movers. We use five factors to customize each of our quotes to the specific wants and needs of our customers. So, our estimates will reflect the services required or desired and nothing else.

Here are the five factors:

Your household goods’ weight
We mention this first because it’s a significant component of a moving quote. It’s also somewhat under your control. If you reduce the weight of your possessions before getting your estimate, you can also reduce the amount of the quote. First, divide possessions into piles: things with no discerning value remaining (recycle or toss those); items you want to keep and transport to your new home; and ones you don’t want but others might. In the last category, sell, gift, or donate them. If donation centers will pick up your belongings, you can save both time and gas money.

Your move’s mileage
Although mileage isn’t a big factor in local moves (less than fifty miles in distance), it’s more of one for long-distance moves. The degree, though, depends upon whether you’re making an intrastate move around Texas or moving interstate a few states over—or to one of the coasts. Longer moves require more fuel and added labor costs and often need a larger truck.

Your move’s date
Depending upon your flexibility, you can take advantage of more cost effective options by scheduling a weekday move (Monday through Thursday) and/or during the industry’s off-season of October through April.

Your optional services
Your choices from our flexible service menus will also make a difference in the amount of your quote. They include our packing and unpacking services: full where we box it all up and partial where you tell us what belongings or rooms to pack (and you’ll do the rest). Specialty services include piano moving and custom crating, and we also offer a full range of convenient storage solutions that are both safe and secure.

Additional moving valuation coverage
Moving valuation coverage isn’t the same as insurance, and our team will explain the concept to you and help you to select the optimal amount to cover your household goods.

Need financing? Let us know!

If you’d like the cheapest move possible, doing it yourself (perhaps using portable moving containers) can be a better choice than using a professional long-distance Austin moving company. DIY moves, of course, involve significantly more work on your part with cost savings not always as much as you might hope.

Using packing services as our example, our Austin movers provide efficient service with finesse, skillfully and carefully packing large, heavy, and uniquely-shaped belongings as well as especially delicate items. Doing it all yourself can be stressful, and you’ll need to buy packing supplies.

You’ll need to rent an appropriately-sized truck with a DIY move, get assistance with loading belongings, pay for gas, chart the right route, drive the truck, and more. At your new home, you’ll need help with unloading your possessions before unpacking them, and returning the rental vehicle. DIY moves won’t have the protection of valuation coverage offered by Austin moving companies.

As a caution, pod supplies can be limited and difficult to appropriately right-size for a relocation. Plus, some homeowners associations prohibit pod moves.

By requesting an Austin moving quote for your long-distance relocation, you can use the estimate to make the most informed decision for your move. To get the most cost effective quote from a professional mover, schedule a weekday move on Monday through Thursday rather than the more in-demand Friday through Sunday moves. Also, if your schedule is flexible enough, move during the off-season of October through April and avoid local demand spikes.

Suddath offers an in-depth resource to help, an essential guide to long-distance moving. The guide walks you through ways to choose your long-distance moving company, scheduling your move, getting organized, preparing for your new space, downsizing as needed, and much more. We'll share insights into preparing for your new city, handling family matters, changing or cancelling services and memberships, providing change of address notifications, taking inventory of possessions, starting to pack if you're DIYing, and creating an essentials bag for moving day.

First, we’re the experienced choice with more than a century of relocating families in the United States. So, you can confidently entrust your lifetime of belongings to our Austin moving company. Plus, we comprehensively vet and train our moving crews, including full background checks, before they ever move our customers. You’ll be assigned a dedicated move counselor who will keep you informed from beginning to end, answering your questions.

We offer flexible packing and unpacking services and convenient storage solutions along with a range of helpful specialty packing services. Suddath provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees and offers tips to help you benefit from the most cost effective move for your situation. If you need financing, our Austin moving company provides it; just let us know of your interest.

Plus, we make it easy to get started. Simply request a moving quote and provide us with a few pieces of information. We’ll then create a personalized move plan and an accurate quote after confirming the information. We’re here to help!