Ask for referrals
So, you’re moving? There’s a lot of reasons people move locally, from one home to another. Now that you’ve made the decision to move, what do you do next? At this point the decision is who will physically pack and move your items. Are you going to “just move yourself”? Should you hire day laborers to help? How much pizza and beer does a friend require to help? What about hiring some professionals? If you’re considering hiring professional movers, here are 9 steps to take when choosing a pro-mover:
– Consider posting a Twitter or Facebook request. People love talking about their experiences with movers and this type of information is very valuable.
Look ‘em up
Once you’ve received some feedback and referrals dig a little deeper. Visit the moving companies websites or look up the BBB reports. Digging just a little deeper could provide the first round of “eliminations” without having to meet with or speak to lots of moving company representatives.
Have you heard of them
The final test is simple, have you ever heard of the mover? If not, there is likely a reason. Perhaps they’ve only been in business for a short time or maybe they don’t have a strong local moving presence. Remember, this moving company is going to be taking all your worldly possessions from one place to another. You’ve worked hard for all this. This is not a time to open yourself to getting “hustled.”
Lay your eyes on them
Now that you narrowed your search to two or three seemingly good moving companies, it’s time to get some moving proposals. You can schedule online or over the phone an in-home meeting with a company representative. A reputable moiving company will ask you some important questions, do a thorough survey of your home, provide company information, details of your move and an on-the-spot quotation in writing.
Ask to see licenses and insurance
It’s no longer good enough to just hear, “we’re licensed and insured”. Ask the mover to show you the documentation, making certain that the all local licenses and insurance coverage’s are up to date.
To pack or not to pack
This is a matter of personal need. Most people are capable of packing all the small items in boxes. The problem becomes collecting/buying boxes, packing materials, and ultimately time to do the work. An online search for free boxes or frequent trips to the local grocery store can become tedious. Sometimes it can just be better to let the pros do in a day what you’re going to spend the next 4 weeks of evenings and weekends doing… plus, if the movers do the packing they’re responsible for the contents of those boxes.
Close early and close often
Home closings can be especially troublesome right now with aggravation from lenders and last-minute changes. Be sure to build in the needed flex time when dealing with tight real estate deals.
Leave no box unopened
Most municipalities around the United States govern the movers and allow you a window of time to check that the contents are ok. However, you’ll need to make sure that you open the boxes during this window in case something is damaged so you can get reimbursed.
Home owners insurance
Home owners insurance does normally cover your goods in transit, however with only a few exceptions it only covers catastrophic loss and not individual pieces of furniture. You may want to check with your policy issuer or purchase the additional coverage offered by most pro movers.
Moving can be emotional and is rarely easy. But, with a little planning and preparation you can make a good buying decision and have a better outcome while experiencing a less-stressful move.
If you’re looking for a quality local mover please consider www.mybekins.com
-Lance Grooms
