New research found One in four Americans “try anything” to get out of helping others move.
In a poll of 2,000 adults in the US, 22% wiggle from helping others when asked, and 35% face the same as others when seeking help during their movements.
Also, over a third (38%) hate being secretly asked to help their friends and family moves. They can only invite help through payments of food and drinks (38%) and money (33%) and return favors when the time comes (17%).
Many explain that it moves as stressful (60%), exhausted (53%), and indeed neurites (33%). So, 57% admitted they seriously rethink their inspiring ambitions because of how exhausting the process is.
Almost everyone is moving. Friends are asked first
Consigned by Safeway Moving And this study conducted by Talker Research revealed that 97% had moved at least once in their lives, with people initially helping friends (39%), siblings (27%), important others (26%) and extended families (24%).
However, not all movement help is equal. This study revealed that people who relied on their friends to seek their help revealed that they were “the most” helpful (21%) and “the smallest” helpful (30%) when compared to other types of helpers.
Many movers said they use professional mobile companies (16%) and seek help from apps and websites (6%), while 14% said they had poor experience with professionals.
These respondents shared poor experiences, resulting in some broken items (49%), false or stolen items (35%), and overcharged movement rate (35%).
69% said their experience was very bad and they hesitated to use a professional mover again.
“It’s easy to understand why people rope friends and family into a house rather than seeking professional use,” explains Boris Svirsky, CEO and founder of Safeway Moving. “Moving can be a headache. People want to be as seamless as possible. This can be difficult when you’re already having a negative experience with a professional mover.”
Four in five turn to friends and family and feel they don’t need budget (54%), expert help (29%) or lack of trust (17%), citing the reason they don’t want to use a professional mover.
Only 15% said they trusted professional movers with their belongings. The people in the most trusted group were their friends (19%).
Main fears: Broken items, overcharge, theft
People said they worry if they use a professional mover to break items (45%), overcharged by the moving company (44%) and stolen items (36%).
Seven percent claimed they were worried that they had been scamned by the invoker in the past.
“The reality is that moving doesn’t have to be a muddy, highly stressful situation by friends who don’t want to be there or by professionals who look more to your wallet than the happiness of your belongings,” Boris continued. “When you can actually help you and put your trust in the people there to be professional in both attitude and practical terms, you will advance your best feet into your next move.”
Research method:
The Talker survey looked at 2,000 Americans in general population. The investigation was commissioned by Safeway Moving Managed and implemented online by Talker Research March 19th and March 25th, 2025.
