If you're planning a house move, you may have heard that you can move your belongings affordably using a process called backloading. Although backloading is a relatively common practice in the removals industry, not everyone is familiar with it. This quick guide will introduce the concept of backloading and help you decide whether it's right for your move.
Backloading basics
Backloading is a way of taking advantage of the structure of a moving business. When a removal firm transports a household, it incurs fuel, labour and other costs not only for the outward journey but also for the return journey. However, if the return journey is empty, it's essentially wasted: the firm is spending money but not earning any. Backloading involves booking a move in a truck that's returning from a completed move in your area. It can also mean booking a move on a vehicle that has already been booked but isn't completely full.
Advantages of backloading
The main advantage of backloading is that it's more efficient than other forms of moving. Because you're sharing the same truck with one or more other moves, the removal firm saves costs. As a result, a move made using this method can be more affordable than a more traditional move. Because it completes a greater number of moves in the same number of journeys, backloading also has a lower carbon footprint than other types of moving methods, making it a good choice for customers who care about their impact on the environment.
Limitations of backloading
Backloading isn't necessarily the right choice for all moves. Its main limitation is that it relies on an empty truck being in the area at the time when you want to make your move. As a result, you're more likely to be able to arrange this type of journey if you have the ability to be flexible about your moving date. You may also have your move booked on a shared truck; this doesn't make a difference in terms of how your belongings are treated, but some customers prefer to have the vehicle all to themselves. Lastly, backloading is most cost-effective for long-distance moves; removalists will be eager to reduce the higher costs of these journeys. By contrast, shorter moves benefit less from backloading because the added costs of the return journey are lower.
Backloading may not be right for every move, but if you have the flexibility to take advantage of it, it can be a good way to reduce the cost of your move. When getting a quote, ask your removalists if this option is available.
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