What a senior move manager does
NASMM lists the usual services. Not every company offers all of them, so ask what is included.
- Downsizing and organizing the home, room by room
- Floor planning for the new place, so the right furniture goes
- Arranging the disposal of items: estate sales, donations, hauling
- Coordinating movers and storage
- Unpacking and setting up the new home
- Related help: cleaning, choosing a real estate agent, getting the house ready to sell
NASMM also says move managers often help people who stay in their homes but need help getting organized. They are not nurses, lawyers or financial advisors, and they cannot sign for you without legal authority. If someone else handles your affairs, the paperwork has to be right. Ask an elder law attorney.
Planning the bigger picture first helps. See our downsizing guide.
What it costs
We could not find a price range from NASMM, and we did not want to print one we could not source. NASMM’s own words are that it is “virtually impossible to calculate what a specific move might cost, as the fee can vary considerably by geographic region and the services requested.” You may see hourly rates and totals quoted in news and blog articles. We could not trace those to NASMM, so treat them as rough.
| Style | How it works | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | You pay for time. The total depends on how much there is to do and how fast you decide. | What is the hourly rate? How many hours do you expect? Is there a minimum? Is travel time billed? |
| One flat price for the job | The manager prices the whole project after seeing the house. | What exactly is included? What happens if the job grows? What is not included (movers, hauling, storage)? |
NASMM recommends that fees be given to you in writing before work starts. Movers, hauling, storage and estate sale commissions are usually separate costs. See moving and storage costs for the mover side.
How to choose one
These are the questions NASMM tells consumers to ask:
- How long have you provided move management services?
- Are you a NASMM member?
- Do you hold NASMM’s A+ Accreditation or SMM-C Certification?
- Have you completed formal training?
- Are you fully insured?
- How do you charge?
- Will you provide a written contract?
- Can you provide references?
The NASMM guide adds that you should ask whether the company carries liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and whether fees are provided in writing. Then call two or three of the references.
We do not recommend named local companies. NASMM has a find-a-move-manager search on nasmm.org. Being a member or holding a credential is a starting point, not a guarantee. Anyone can use the title “senior move manager.”
Credentials that mean something
- NASMM member. The trade association for the profession. Ask what the company’s membership level means.
- SMM-C (Senior Move Manager Certified). NASMM says this is the only certification made just for senior move managers and the only one based on both knowledge and experience. Renewal takes 45 continuing education credits every three years.
- A+ Accreditation. Named by NASMM in its consumer questions. Ask the company what they did to earn it and verify it with NASMM.
Other titles exist. We could not verify others, so we do not list them. If a company shows a credential, check the group that issued it.
Alternatives to hiring one
- Family and friends. Cheapest, but set dates and keep the work to short sessions. Agree on who gets what before the sorting starts.
- Your Council on Aging. Massachusetts has municipal Councils on Aging (senior centers) that give local outreach, information and referrals to older adults and families. Call yours and ask what help or referrals they have.
- MassOptions. Call 1-800-243-4636 for an options counselor who can point you to local services.
- An estate sale company or cleanout service for the leftover items. See the whole-house cleanout guide.
- A mover that packs. Packing and moving can come from one company. State rules on movers are in moving and storage costs.
If you are also selling the house
A move manager helps with the move, not the sale. A listing agent, a closing attorney and a cleanout all come on top. If time is short, you can compare selling routes in the cash offer vs listing tool. Before you pick a move date, read about rent-back after sale, which can give you extra weeks after the closing.