Mattresses are large and cumbersome items to take anywhere, and when you’re moving you have enough to handle.
When faced with this question, many people start to ask themselves is it worth shipping my mattress?
The short answer is yes. On average, the cost of shipping a mattress is cheaper than the cost of renting a van or buying a new mattress. Usually, you should only be paying for how much space it takes in the shipping van it’s shipped in. Which is much less than renting a truck.
Additionally, If you choose to leave your mattress behind and buy a new one at your new location, you could be spending anywhere between $600 and $2,500 on a new mattress. Even this option is more expensive than just shipping the mattress you already have to your new home.
Before you truly make your decision however, there are a few things to consider if you are making the decision of if it is worth it for you to ship your mattress. These are some of the most significant considerations to make.
The Cost of Shipping a Mattress
Shipping
According to Uship, the cost to ship a bed on average is about $0.70 per mile if the transport is longer, and about $2.50 per mile for shorter moves. Based on these estimates, it is already much better to ship than pay the cost of a new mattress. These prices are for general shipping services.
For the cost of shipping to be more than the cost of a $2,500 mattress, you would have to be moving more than 3431 miles away. If you’re uncertain, check the price calculation on your preferred shipping method’s website and calculate the difference. Every service has different fees, and requirements, so this is all an estimate. It is important to choose a shipping company carefully.
Renting a Truck
On average, renting a moving truck for a long-distance, one-way move can cost anywhere from $1,038 to $1,625 or more depending on the company and trip. The size of the truck can change the price of the trip. If you are renting a truck, you must also prepare your mattress safely, and if there is nothing else in the truck it may be a waste of the extra money it costs.
Shipping a mattress here would be worth it if you already can’t fill a moving truck. If you can avoid using a truck by shipping your mattress, it is worth it just to ship the mattress. If you already are renting a moving truck, and can fit the mattress, that would save you money still. This option is very heavily dependent on the size of your move above all else.
How to Ship a Mattress
If it’s important to you the labour involved in shipping a mattress, and if it is worth the effort, there is an amount of labour required for any shipping service. Unless you request a white-glove service, these are the general steps to worried about when shipping a mattress:
- Measure the mattress, and estimate the weight
Measure and weigh the mattress before requesting a shipment. Be prepared to inform the shipping company of these measurements and estimates for the shipment process - Remove all of the bedding, and removable parts from your mattress
- Disassemble all parts of your bed
You cannot ship a fully assembled bet, as it takes up too much space, so remove the headboards, and legs for example. Try to keep all parts of the bed frame and headboard together in bags after disassembly. These items can be shipped along with your mattress or moved another way if possible, but do try to keep them in big bags together as you disassemble. - Protect your mattress and the box spring
You can purchase protective mattress bags for around $15 to $50, depending on the size of the mattress. These are important to protect the mattress from scuffs, stains, or anything else in the moving process. Wrap in bubble wrap or packing foam if available to protect it during transportation. This will protect it from any impact or jostling during the journey.
Check if your shipping company has any specific instructions in shipping mattresses. Some companies have their own regulations, and it’s essential to be aware of them.
There are two options for your shipment process:
- Curbside pickup, just as the name implies, is that you arrange a place with your shipping company for them to take the mattress off your hands. It should be packaged and ready to go for this type of pickup.
- Designated drop off is where you and your shipping company organize a place for you to drop off a mattress with them for them to deliver it.
This process is if you choose to do all of the shipping preparations yourself. Both of those shipment processes require you to prepare your own mattress but you can request a white-glove service from certain companies. These services will do all of the packing, protecting and shipping of your mattress hands-free. These will be more expensive, obviously, but if you need help with shipping, this option may be worth checking out.
How to Prepare for White-Glove Service
A White-Glove service is a lot less strain on you, but more expensive than a general service. Prices can change between companies so it is suggested that you get a direct quote from your preferred shipping company. How do you prepare for a White-Glove Service then?
Consider your timeframe and location
Create what is called a “shipment listing” where you choose a timeframe, and take some photos of items and boxes you need to be moved by the company
Choose a company
Find a company that will suit your needs, budget and timeframe for your move. Make sure the company is capable of shipping the mattress and does not have a minimum item requirement.
Read reviews of the company to make sure that you are going with a good organization. The best tool we have is the internet! Make sure that you look at what reviews this company has in regards to its service, through its website and third parties like Yelp or Google.
Communicate concerns
Make sure that you are keeping communication open with the White-Glove company about concerns and additional information.
White-Glove services are a great option if you have more than just a mattress to ship. If your preferred shipping company has a White-Glove service, make sure to check if they have done jobs like yours before. White-Glove services will come to pick up and deliver your items for you.
In my opinion, with just a single mattress to ship, it would be a lot easier to just prepare the mattress yourself for shipping, where White-Glove services might be better if you have much more than one item to ship.
You may also like: How Long Does It Take to Get Used to a New Mattress?
Is Shipping a Mattress Worth It?
Essentially? Yes. Depending on how prepared you are to move your mattress and how far you are moving, using a shipping company can save you time and money. If you are moving, and need to move your mattress, make sure you look into your options. Prices change depending on the moving company you use, the distance you are moving, and the size and weight of your mattress. You can often request a quote from the shipping companies you want to use and compare prices.
