What’s the Difference Between a Mover and a Broker?

It used to be that a company that promoted moving services was a moving company. You hired them, they came and put your stuff on a truck and delivered it to your next home. It’s not so cut and dry anymore because there are movers, and then there are moving brokers.

Movers Move

Movers are the traditional professionals that come and load your belongings on a truck and haul it to your next address. It doesn’t matter where that address is, the truck will get there. If you only have to move one large item, like a grand piano, the movers can do that too. Some movers will also help you pack, taking care to wrap fragile items in ways that will protect them during the move. A few moving companies may even offer storage facilities until you are settled in your new space and want to retrieve your belongings.

Moving Brokers Find Movers

Moving brokers are companies that find moving services for you. You pay them, they pay the movers you eventually want to hire. Moving brokers also broker the price of your move. For example, if you need to move overseas, the moving brokers find companies to move your stuff to a seaport or to an airport that transports large amounts of cargo to other countries. They organize the price for each leg of the move and let you know what it will cost. Moving brokers don’t typically provide actual moving services themselves.

Which Should You Hire?

If you can’t find a mover on your own, you could hire a moving broker to find someone for you. If you know that you have to cross an ocean or two, you may need the broker. If you are moving down the block, to the other side of the city, to the state border, etc. you just need the mover. Be sure to clarify with a moving company what it is they do before you hire them.