Moving can be stressful, especially when one is clueless about what to know before hiring movers. There are so many things to take care of, from packing boxes and loading the moving truck to your destination, arranging for utility services, for example, from a bathtub refinishing company at your new place, unpacking all those boxes, the list goes on!
One aspect of what to know before hiring movers often gets overlooked: hiring a suitable moving company. Local moving companies do more than just load and unload trucks; they provide an array of important services that you may not even think about. And here’s the kicker: these services should be included in your quote when you are looking for a mover. Be sure to understand the important points in what to know before hiring movers. Keep in mind the following tips as you search for a reliable moving company:
Always Ask For Credentials and Insurance
Some of the important things on the list of what to know before hiring movers are similar to other businesses. As with any other business transaction or contract, choose a moving company that can display the firm’s insurance quotes. A good mover will have clear and specific guidelines regarding what items are covered under their insurance plans: if they don’t provide details at first, then be wary! In the event of damage or delays during your move, not having proper insurance coverage can leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars.
Can you get proof of insurance and licensing? Before signing any contract and handing over any money, you should always ask for proof that the moving company is insured and licensed to operate in your state. If they can’t provide these two simple things, it may be best to hire someone else.
This is one of the factors that top the list of what to know before hiring movers. The last thing you want is to pay someone, and they don’t show up as a result of not bothering about acquiring the necessary credentials. Make sure the moving company has special licenses called interstate licenses and releases liability insurance. If something happens during your move, such as damaged or lost items, you will know you’re covered when hiring licensed movers.
A good moving company should carry their insurance coverage and the proper licensing to haul your personal effects from point A to point B. Before hiring a mover, make sure they have clear liability coverage and plenty of proof that your belongings will be transported with care and safety in mind at all times. Also, keep in mind that some items may require special insurance coverage, such as jewelry or artwork, so you’ll want to discuss this option before signing any contract documents.
Price
The reason why the price is key to what to know before hiring movers is that moving is stressful enough on its own. The last thing you need is a shady mover who won’t back up their promises in writing. Ensure that all agreements and promises are put in writing before signing a single contract or handing over a dime for your relocation. Review anything and everything that has been promised, including rates, fees, and policies, with your mover before signing any agreement forms.
Make sure you find out what the cost of your move will be before you hire anyone. Many moving companies will offer a flat rate for their services, and this can vary depending on how much stuff you have (the heavier it is, the more expensive it’ll be), any special equipment required (lifts, ramps, etc.), storage costs if applicable, distance traveled to get to your place and time of day.
If one is using an individual mover, make sure they give you an accurate quote in writing. Otherwise, the chances are that when they show up at your door with all their towing items, they are going to ask for more money.
Storage Options
In the scenario that one moves into a smaller apartment or house, then there might not be enough room for all of your stuff. Look into the storage option that the moving company specializes in to ensure that your belongings will be safe and secure. This can also apply if you are planning on doing renovations as a recommendation from a consulting engineer company before actually moving in; make sure to take pictures of everything where possible in the presence of any business law attorneys before putting it away, so you don’t lose anything! Some places even let you rent out space for as little as 1-3 months, so weigh your options carefully, but these are usually more expensive than other types of storage spaces.
Some moving companies have storage options if your current place doesn’t have enough room for all of your items. The cost should be relatively the same as everything else, so don’t let that factor into your decision too much, but it’s a nice option to have, especially if there is a lot of stuff you still need to unpack for a moving day.
Ask About the Moving Company’s Policies
The local moving policy regarding overtime is a key consideration about what to know before hiring movers. After a long day of packing and loading boxes, movers may be worn out and tempted to rush through the process of relocating your property. This can result in important boxes being left behind, dropped, or even broken due to carelessness.
The reason to note this as one of the main points on what to know before hiring movers is overtime charges that some firms may set. A reputable mover will not increase their hourly rate by charging ‘overtime’ fees at the end of a move: that is illegal in many states! A key factor for knowing before hiring movers is that you need to confirm how much time is included with each price quote and how much it will cost if they exceed that time.
What is their policy for debris disposal? This is vital in what to know before hiring movers. Your satisfaction with your move will depend on how careful your movers are when they unload your boxes at the new home, so make sure you ask about the company’s debris removal policy before hiring them. If you have an expensive rug with dirt stains from shoes or a large amount of packing paper to throw out at the end of the day, you can either request that these tasks be completed by your mover or call a separate roll off dumpsters rental company to take care of it for you.
Company’s Level of Experience
One of the best ways to ensure that you will receive reliable, affordable services is to hire an experienced mover with years of industry training. Among the vital aspects of what to know before hiring movers is the expertise and experience levels of the service provider. Ask if the company has made moves like yours before (how many) and what kind of references they can provide from previous customers; ask how long the firm has been in business as well. Also, find out how long the current movers have been with the company. A reputable firm should be able to answer these questions easily.
While many moving companies are using temporary workers because of the down economy, it is important to consider that if these employees are not trained well enough, it could result in a bad move for you. Most professional moving companies provide comprehensive training about properly packing fragile items and ensuring valuables don’t get damaged during transit. Employees who have worked for the company long-term will be more likely to know this information inside out.
Ask For an Itemized Quote
Are there additional fees for cable seals? While most movers will be upfront about any extra fees that might get tacked onto your final moving bill, some dishonest players will try to sneak in extra charges at the last minute without consulting with you beforehand. Make sure you understand what kind of mileage/fuel surcharges, storage fees, and other hidden costs could be charged in the moving company’s point of sale systems before you sign any contract.
Many states require moving companies to provide itemized estimates so that customers know exactly what they are signing up for before anything is loaded onto the truck. Suppose the company is not willing to break down each aspect of their pricing beforehand. In that case, you should consider hiring someone else because this could result in unpleasant surprises once all your belongings have been packed up and sent off on their way.
Make sure whatever quote you request has specific, detailed information about how much the company will charge per hour for travel between homes, packing materials, and services like cleaning or shrink wrapping. If you are moving to another state, it’s a good idea to ask if the company will itemize their charges based on your new home state’s rates, since different companies may have different costs involved in arranging a long-distance move.
Available Trucks
Moving can be very stressful when you have little or no understanding of what to know before hiring movers. People try to make moving easier by using professional movers who have experience with this kind of task. You should always aim to get your life from one place to the next without too much trouble by researching the available trucks at the moving firm you intend to hire.
To ensure that you get a quality move, consider the number of trucks the service provider has. The more trucks a moving company has, the more options they can take your belongings, thus avoiding inconveniences such as road closures or hazardous weather conditions. Look for a company with at least three trucks and utility trailers.
Also, look into the size of trucks available, as bigger is always better when it comes to movers. If a truck is too big, that could mean that they will charge you more because there is no space left in the truck! This extra space is what you’ll pay for, so try to find a company with smaller to medium-sized trucks.
Payment Options
This is one of the main things one should look into among what to know before hiring movers. No matter how big or small your move is, there are many different ways for movers to get payment at the end of your move. Some will accept cash or checks; others may take credit cards or personal checks. You should also ask if you must pay a minimum amount over and above the quoted price (which can be very inconvenient if it turns out to be less than expected).
An ideal moving firm offers convenient payment options when you are in need of some extra cash. If you have never shopped around for local moving companies, then you should know that some moving companies provide financing plans.
Customer Reviews
Take advantage of online reviews as well as ask friends and family about their experiences with moving companies in your area. Reviews are an impartial way to find out more about a certain company and what they are really like in customer service and reliability, so check multiple sources before deciding on who you want to work with.
If you are planning an interstate move across the country, do some research and determine the average transit time. A good mover will be able to meet some of the demands you may have, such as a very short transit time or an excessively early delivery date. However, if your moving company starts making excuses or trying to wiggle their way out of sticking to their quoted schedule and price, it might be a sign that they are not the most reliable movers for your job, no matter how low their rates are! A reputable moving company will offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee (or it should be advertised as such).
Before hiring a moving company, it is always good to check out the service provider’s reputation and references. A good mover will be happy to provide you with a list of clients who can vouch for their services, as well as any past customers you may wish to contact. Be sure to ask about their experience working with the moving company by asking if they were happy and satisfied with the service and final price of the moving company services.