Chicago Movers

Chicago is amazing! You’re going to have a great time and the food is to die for. A city as big as Chicago comes with an overwhelming number of options for food, music, late-night fun, and, you guessed it, moving companies.  

Finding moving companies in Chicago will be as hard as you make it. You can:

1. Do it yourself. You’ll be exhausted and risk being hounded by local movers giving you quotes for the next year

2. Use a moving broker and worry about whether you’re getting the best price available

3. Use iMoving and save time, money, and sanity

iMoving keeps you in control of your move by removing the uncertainty of moving prices and putting every resource you need at your fingertips.

After entering the details of your move into our site, you’ll instantly see licensed, professional Chicago movers, user recommendations, and reviews. Any final quotes you obtain through iMoving are fixed and your money is 100% protected. You’ll get a full refund if something goes wrong during your move.

We only work with the best Chicago moving companies and no matter which you choose to hire, you’ll be in safe hands because iMoving will be involved in every step of the process. How’s that for peace of mind.

Moving Services in Chicago

The basics of relocating to a new place, whether it’s across the country or across the street, don’t really change. You pack your belongings, transport them and place them in the new location. Offered by almost every moving company, including those iMoving works with, these services are pretty straightforward.

• Boxes & Supplies: It’s so natural to panic about where to get moving materials like boxes, tape, and scissors from that it’s easy to forget moving companies can provide you with everything you need to pack your items safely and securely. You’ll have more options to choose from and don’t have to worry about things being out of stock.

• Packing Services: Great for when you don’t have time to pack (or unpack) yourself or if you have precious items that need to be safely disassembled and wrapped up tightly, packing services save you time and energy. Chicago moving companies will pack as much or as little as you need. It’s completely up to you!

• Storage: Downsizing can be more stressful than moving! If you’re not ready to part with items but also don’t have space for them, moving companies offer both long and short-term storage. This is also a good option if you have to move out quickly and are between homes before you can move.

Moving becomes a bit more nuanced and complex depending on the type of move you’re doing. Moving across the street is much easier than moving across the country, and it’s important to understand how the services you need will affect the cost of relocating to Chicago. What kind of Chicago moving company do you need?

• Local Moving: There’s less stress, preparation, time and money involved when moving from one Chicago residence to another. The moving process takes no longer than a day and is much easier. Dare we say fun? We won’t go that far, but seeing your belongings in your new home/apt the same day is nice.  

• Long-Distance Moving: Interstate moves require much more time, effort, and, in our experience, headaches. If you need a long-distance moving company, make sure they are licensed to transport your things across state lines and can deliver your life’s belongings safely. iMoving’s network of movers will inspire confidence in times like this.

• Business Services: This one can be tricky and in the wrong hands a nightmare. Trust between you and the moving company is paramount when transporting your business’s furniture, expensive equipment or sensitive information. In the right hands, however, a company should be able to not only get the job done but also reduce employee downtime.

Before Hiring a Moving Company in Chicago, Consider These Things First

There are a million reasons to move to Chicago and only a few of them involve deep dish pizza and Cubs games. The Windy City has already lured you in with its beautiful architecture and the allure of Mag Mile shopping, so make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible by keeping a few things in mind before booking that moving company.

Time of year to relocate

If you are moving to a residential street in a smaller neighborhood, you should know block parties are a common occurrence. In the spring and summer, neighborhoods get out and close their streets off to eat, play music and have fun. Your landlord will be able to tell you if your block has one or not.

The temperatures in Chicago can fall pretty low, making for a trying move in the winter. You’ll also really want to keep in mind the fact that blizzards are a normal part of Chicago winters. Moving in a blizzard is not how you want to start off!

Do you really need to move your car?

If you think a car is necessary, think again. Besides the cost of bringing a car along, it will cost even more in parking tickets or to hold a parking permit on your street. Finding parking can often be a nightmare and is expensive. You will also deal with some of the worst traffic in the country. Alternative transportation includes:

• The “L” is Chicago’s public transportation train system. It is reliable, runs throughout the entire city (even into some suburbs), and runs late into the early morning. Moving by train is $2.25 for a one-way trip and $2.50 for a transfer. You can ride 2 additional buses or trains for a total of 3 rides with a transfer.

• The Pedway: a walkway system of overhead bridges and underground tunnels that connect 40+ blocks in the Central Business District.

• Bike/Divvy: There are protected bike lanes (more than 200 miles) and there are no throngs of people to weave through or hills to battle against. Biking is so popular, Divvy, a bike-sharing company, launched bike rental stations throughout the city.

• Cabs: they are outside and can be flagged down at all times of the day

• Uber/Lyft: ride-sharing is very popular and can reduce the cost of travel

It’s understandable to want to bring your car along, just think it over carefully.

Get at least 3 different estimates…then ask questions

With so many options to choose from, going with the first company you hear back from or the cheapest company could be a mistake. Is your quote hourly? Or does it cover the entire move? You want to take the time to do your homework. It’s easy to overlook the details and some companies are counting on it.

Compare companies based on their prices, reviews, and mission statements. Failing to research your moving company can jeopardize your move.

Transparency is key when searching for a moving company. iMoving has all your quotes in one, easily accessible place and reduces the risk of your money being taken or you being cheated. You’ll be able to quickly see what your options are and what fits your budget. Our movers are the type of professionals that value your things as much as you do.

Common Questions When Searching for Chicago Moving Companies

Here at iMoving, we live and breathe all things moving-related, so we understand just how frustrating moving can be. Though it can be stressful, don’t forget how exciting and thrilling a new start in a new place is either! Browse some of the most common questions and concerns we’ve come across and prepared yourself for your upcoming adventure!

1. When is the best time to move to Chicago?

The summer months tend to be the busiest time for moving companies. But it’s more important than you think about every factor when deciding on when you should move.

If you avoid the wintertime, in general, you should be fine. You’ll want to avoid any kind of extreme weather or circumstances that increase the stress of your move. It’s stressful enough as it!

2. When should I begin my search for a moving company?

You should start as soon as possible. A common mistake people make is not giving themselves enough time to prepare for a move and doing things on a whim is not the way to go for something of this magnitude, especially if you are moving from another state.

Most moving companies prefer 6 – 8 weeks’ notice for a move to allow them enough time to make sure they can fully accommodate your move.

3. Can I bring plants into Chicago?

Most moving companies won’t take your plants because of the stress and heat of being inside the trailer can kill them. You may be better off driving them in your personal vehicle (if you have one) or buying new plants once you’ve settled into your Chicago home.

Be sure to check the Illinois Department of Agriculture to look up state guidelines for the type of plants you’re trying to bring with you. They may not be allowed to cross state lines at all.

This is another reason moving companies often don’t take plants: they can be a regulation nightmare.

4. What should I do if I need to add/remove an item to be moved?

If you need to make a change, contact the person who has been coordinating your move. They are typically able to help you with any changes or updates you need to make to your original plan and quote.

5. Is a deposit required before my move?

Most professional movers will not ask you to pay anything upfront. If they do, it is usually a very tiny “good faith” deposit.

If you are asked to deposit a large amount of money in order to secure your move dates or to receive prompt service, finding another mover is advisable. Only scam movers ask for large deposits and attach silly reasons to it such as those mentioned above.

Regulations do not allow movers to require payment before your move; payment is due when the truck arrives at your new residence. These laws are designed to protect you, the customer, because if you pay ahead of time, movers may feel less of a need to transport your things safely and on schedule.

Ways to Save Money on Your Move

Moving is one of those things that you know is going to cost a lot. The goal isn’t to be cheap (you want your belongings to arrive safe and sound after all), it’s to save money in smart ways.

They may also be slightly inconvenient. Still smart though.

Move when no one else wants to

Peak moves happen in the summer, over the weekends and anytime most of the country is on a break. But you don’t have to be like everyone else. By being flexible, you can avoid the higher costs associated with high-demand moving seasons.

Try moving in the fall or winter. If you’re moving to a mild climate, it doesn’t make much of a difference anyway. For places like Chicago, get a good pair of gloves ready. You’ll be able to afford them with all the money you’ve saved.

Get free packing materials

Boxes and bubble wrap can run your costs up pretty quickly. Instead of paying for boxes, ask local convenience stores for theirs. Be on the lookout for discarded boxes in alleys or outside of homes that are in good enough condition to simply be taped back together. Other places that are usually happy to give you’re their boxes include grocery stores and restaurants.

Why not use your clothes as bubble wrap? Your clothes need to get packed away anyway so make them do some work! If you have dainty, fine items, wrap them in your thickest winter sweaters and blankets. You can also use newspaper to wrap things like vases, plates, and glasses.

Purge

Though no one’s favorite thing to do, most people can admit they aren’t using everything they have in their homes. From too many hair curlers to pillows that have sat unused for years, moving is the perfect time for an honest assessment of what matters enough to take with you to the next place. Movers often charge you by the pound, so it’s almost a waste of time and money to pack things, like that old clown lamp, you know you don’t want or need.

Label your boxes

Hear us out here! Most people don’t label their boxes and when the time comes to find something, they have no idea where it is. After the stress of moving, how many people are really going to dig through boxes they’re tired of looking at to find something? Not many. What they’re going to do is go to the store and get it instead.

To avoid double purchases, simply label your boxes with a marker or stickers so you know what is a kitchen, bath, and bedroom. This will make life so much easier.

Pack smart

The first thing we will say is to actually schedule a time to pack. Often people do it last minute, making an already terribly un-fun activity much worse. Packing smart means:

• Stacking your dishes vertically, as they tend to break horizontally
• Grouping clothes on hangers into putting them into trash bags
• Using saran wrap to keep unsecure lids from spilling product

Giving yourself the proper amount of time to pack ensures you won’t have to repurchase items that were damaged, lost or forgotten during the move.

Tying It All Up With a Bow

Moving to any city is exciting, but moving to Chicago comes with a few more things to consider before getting there. By taking the time to research companies, a reliable Chicago moving company will be able to help you make the move at a reasonable price.

iMoving wants to help you on this new adventure by simplifying your moving process and getting you the best price available. Moving is a pain, but with us, it becomes just another thing you’ve checked off your list. You will not have that feeling of moving alone because we will be there with you.

We hope you are ready for Chicago and all the fun it will bring!