How to Hire a Moving Company...7 Tips To Help Save You Time and Money
I recently moved and wish I had read this article first! Although the move went very smoothly, there were certain things I was not prepared for.
I misunderstood the number of free boxes that would be delivered. It seemed like packing material and tape were included too but actually were an extra charge. I didn't know that moving companies get so busy during the summer months that they need to rent trucks - hence a "Discount Movers" truck showed up to my house.
We take all too much for granted because a move is a hectic and disruptive moment in life. No matter how many times you've moved you easily forget what's involved.
How to Hire a Moving Company...7 Tips To Help Save You Time and Money
Just as you wouldn’t hire just any real estate agent (well, I hope you didn’t!) to guide you through your largest investment transaction, why would you hire a moving company to transport
your treasured belongings?
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you need to make sure that you’re placing your whole home furnishings and memories in the hands of a professional.
7 Tips for Hiring a Moving Company
1. Ask for and seek out recommendations
Thanks to apps like NextDoor and local Facebook groups it’s even easier now to get recommendations. Ask agents or anyone else involved in real estate, this includes stagers, lenders, and home inspectors.
Know someone who recently moved? Ask them!
2. Do some investigating of your own.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau and look for local online reviews and ratings.
3.Interview at least 3 companies.
Don’t settle for a quote over the phone either. Professional movers need to see what you’re planning on moving.
Have a notepad and pen ready for notes.
Get their USDOT (US Department of Transportation) license number as well as their Motor Carrier License Numbers.
~Make sure that you get numbers of who to call in case there is an emergency.
~Will you be charged by weight? Space? Miles?
~Are there additional charges for boxes and wraps?
~Will you receive a detailed contract?
~Will you receive a detailed bill of lading?
~What type of payment will they accept?
4.Discuss with the representative items that are particular to your household and your move
Do you have oversized items that will need a special box or crate? (we had a stuffed turkey in flight, and with every move, the crate got bigger and bigger)
Will you want them to move vehicles?
We had a platform built for our bass boat on one move.
Will your new residence have stairs or difficult to reach areas?
The company may have extra charges for this. If you’re moving to a condominium, find out if there are certain hours when moving vans or trucks are allowed.
5.Insurance
Do not assume. Find out exactly what they cover, and what they don’t. For example, if you pack fragile items and they become broken, the company may not cover this. And it follows that you need to ask your own insurance company what coverage you’ll have during the move.
6.READ and UNDERSTAND your contract.
Now is not the time to skim or assume. If you’re not comfortable with this, ask someone who is used to reading these documents to help you.
ASK questions if you are unsure.
7. Know WHO will be moving you.
Find out if the packers are contracted out.
Do they use day laborers to move and deliver your goods? In some of our moves, the driver hired the crew and supervised the loading and offloading for both properties.
Here are some other sites to help you choose a moving company…
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
American Moving and Storage Association
This is not the time to go for the lowest bid. Do your research and trust your gut instinct.
Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager
561-914-6224 Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com
Discover the Possibilities of Your Home!
Comments(0)