Hiring Moving Help Online

Do you need a bit of moving help…

But not too much?

For example, do you only need help moving your couch and bed?  In that case, paying a moving company would be absurd. But what if you can’t find a friend to help?

Fortunately, you can hire a helping hand online, and you can name the price! The wonders of the Internet, right? Here’s how to find a contractor:

Where to Find Help Online

When looking for moving help, you can either search ads or post your own online.

There are dozens of people who know what they’re doing who advertise online. Check online classifieds, like Craigslist.com, Yelp.com and Taskrabbit.com.  They’ll post their price and location, and you can contact them for free.  But it gets better…

You can also post your own ad for free, listing your own price.  Then handymen looking through the classifieds will contact you.  And, yes, there are many of them in your city, wherever it is.

So how do you determine the right price?

• Look at similar ads
• Consider how long it will take
• Consider whether you will be helping
• Post what you feel is right — you can’t lose

Hourly rates and flat rates are the most common.

Finding a Trustworthy Handyman

The biggest problem with online classifieds is that you don’t really know who you’re getting.  It could be anyone, really.  And make no mistake: Craigslist is ripe with moving scams.  Here’s how to lower your risk:

1. Get contact info – Get their phone number and address.
2. Get identification – Ask the person for a copy of their ID. If they decline, you should, too.
3. Ask for a reference – Get a prior customer’s number who you can contact.
4. Experience – See where they have worked in the past, and ask to contact their prior employer.
5. Meet them – Don’t let a person into your home before meeting them outside first.
6. Have someone around – If you are feeling concerned, see if a neighbor can keep an eye out for you.

The large majority of people on Craigslist are going to be good, honest people.  However, you can never be too careful.

Handing the Help

When it comes time for your handyman to come help you, make sure you are ready.  Have whatever you need help with boxed up, broken down and/or ready to move.

Also, have money, cash preferably, on hand so that you can pay him without inconvenience to you or him.

Finally, moving etiquette still applies.  While tipping isn’t necessary, have some bottled water on hand, and food if it’s a big job.  This guy is probably saving you hundreds of dollars — at least make sure he’s not thirsty.

Before you hire a handyman online, see if you can save even more money by asking a friend or coworker to help you move.