Professional Movers vs. Professional Organizers—what’s the difference?
Finding the right professional for the job can be stressful. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Are you getting ready for a big move? Consider hiring a professional moving company and a professional organizing company to help streamline the process.
While both are recommended investments, many people seem to blur the line between the two. In this post, we'll break down what to expect from each luxury service and give you the info you need to skip the stress and start enjoying your home from day one.
What to expect from a professional moving company
As you research movers, you may find some that include unpacking and organizing items in your new home. But how do these services stack up against those a professional organizing company offers?
We spoke with a professional Austin moving company, Heavenly Moving and Storage, to gain their perspective on where their services start and stop in the moving process. Here’s what they had to say:
“Even the best mover on the market is not a professional organizer.”
The main focus of a professional moving company is to get the client’s items safely and efficiently from point A to point B. And yes, sometimes movers will:
Hang up clothes in closets (if hangers have been provided)
Unload dishes in kitchen cabinets
Place books on bookshelves
And other straightforward tasks that help ease the transition into a new home.
The key here is straightforward—at $350 to $500 an hour, it just doesn’t make sense to have movers do the heavy lifting and then stick around trying to zone plan (which is not a required skill set in the professional mover’s toolbox).
This is where a professional organizer shines!
It goes the other way too. For example, while you may find organizing firms that offer moving services with their packages, it may not be the best fit if they lack the protections and equipment of a professional moving company. Remember to check if the organizer is insured and has the workforce required for the job.
What to expect from a professional organizing company
Once items have made their way into your new home, it’s time for the professional organizers to take over. But before we cover moving day tasks, let’s take a step back.
A lot of the work you can expect from a professional organizing team starts long before the big day. For example, to create a customized plan for your home that fits your family’s needs, Graceful Spaces may do any of the following:
Meet with you to discuss your vision for the new home
Assess and purchase organizational items, functional decor, and everyday essentials
Collaborate with your interior designer to source items that fit with the flow of the home
In the case of new construction, provide schematics for your trade teams for custom pieces tailor-fit to your storage needs
Map out zones and systems for every room in your new home
Once in the space, we get to work placing items zone by zone, ensuring everything is categorized and grouped in a way that works best for your family.
And what exactly is zone planning? We could tell you, but we’d much rather show you. Here are a few ideas with examples of how we put zones to work in client homes:
KID ZONES
The goal is to empower children to take ownership of their daily routines and help keep things tidy. In the kitchen, this means a designated space to grab their utensils, plates, and cups:
BAKING ZONES
We want our clients to feel at home in their kitchen with a setup that naturally compliments how they prepare food and entertain. Systems like a baking zone provide easy access for cooks, with heavy-use ingredients decanted, labeled, and placed near the oven:
Getting strategic about your space isn’t just sustainable—it’s stress relief! Hiring a luxury organizer in tandem with professional movers allows you to kick back, relax, and enjoy your beautiful, functional new home.
How to plan the ideal move
Now that we’ve covered what to expect from each service, let’s recap:
A professional moving company prioritizes getting your items safely and efficiently from point A to point B.
A professional organizing company prioritizes systems and zone planning that make everything in a space work for your family’s daily routines and unique needs.
While there may be some overlap, we recommend hiring both to execute on their unique strengths.
Here’s our suggestion for the perfect moving experience:
Have a professional organizer on the frontend to identify clutter, categorize your belongings, and help you decide what will fit into your next home. Movers won’t be lugging unnecessary items from one location to the next.
Next, let movers come in. Organizing your things will have streamlined the packing and transportation process, saving you time and money.
Once items are in your new home, have your organizers come in to put things together in strategic zones that fit your habits and routines.
And that’s it! You’re all ready to enjoy the space.
We hope this guide will help you take the hassle out of planning your move. Still have questions? Let us know in the comments!