Planning to move your life from Harlem to Hollywood? Thinking about whether you need the help of moving companies from out of state? The answer varies depending on a multitude of factors. The factors themselves change with every person: the complexity of the move, time available, and, of course, money. Regardless of other factors though, if you’re planning to move heavy furniture, you should never do it by yourself.
With multiple movers around, it’s hard to choose the best one.
That’s why today we’ve selected the best advice we know of picking the right movers for you. This is how you know you’ve chosen right:
1. Inventory
Any good move will first take an inventory of all your belongings, to approximate their weight. The inventory should be exhaustive and include drawers, cupboards, bookcases, and everything leftover in your garage. The approximate weight of your belongings will help decide how much you will have to pay, as well as the necessary truck dimensions for the move. Coming to terms with the estimate ahead of time will help avoid further issues down the line.
2. Thoroughness
The way your prospective movers work should tell you a lot about them. A good estimator will organize a walk-through as soon as an agreement is made. A certified USAMovers will ask about your desired moving date, location, approximate weights of your belongings, etc. The questions will refer to the new, as well as the old location. Some things will inevitably need to be thrown out, dispensed at a garage sale, donated, etc.
3. Deposit
Movers that have been in the business for a while won’t need large deposits to secure the deal. Make your payment once your belongings are safely at their destination. A large deposit can spell trouble ahead of time. There’s no certainty when it comes to getting your belongings delivered if you pay in advance. Make sure to use a credit card to protect yourself from fraudulent activity.
4. Name
Sometimes, companies use different names to be less visible to the Better Business Bureau. When choosing a company, start local. Remember that the best moving companies will try to keep their branding over the years. Make sure they have a license and insurance, at the very least. Each phone call should be answered by a person with a full business name. Reviews are incredibly helpful here.
5. References
Finding a reliable long-distance moving company is even easier if you ask your friends, family, or even acquaintances. Alternatively, ask your movers for testimonials – they should have a few shining reviews they’re proud of, which you can personally confirm. For instance, reputable companies such as California movers will have testimonials directly on their websites! See if you can find a list of customers in their area and ask them openly about their experiences moving.
6. Packing
Here is a balance between safety and budgeting. On one hand, if you pack yourself, you can choose the packing materials yourself, and save money on paying professionals to do it. On the other hand, it’s typically going to leave your belongings uninsured, which might be an issue further on.
Highly experienced packers are what you need. Ask them about earlier experiences, and how they’ve dealt with packing belongings like yours.
7. Paying extra
Does your destination have two stories? Looking to move from an apartment on the 11th floor? You might be charged extra. Ditto for moving across narrow streets. These costs are part of the job, but you should make sure to ask ahead of time.
8. Blank contract
Never sign a blank contract, that the company will fill in later as it pleases. Fees, binding estimates, and more should all be part of the contract. There should be a clear sign of the delivery and pick-up times, as well as locations. Make sure to be thorough when reading your contract – further issues become much easier to resolve when you’ve got everything in writing.
9. Guarantees
Moving contracts can have non-binding movers’ quotes, non-binding to overdo quotes and binding quotes. A non-binding estimate shows that the company can’t ask for over 10% above the actual estimate. The overages should be paid within thirty days of delivery.
Binding estimates will guarantee the price for moving in full. Any added services require payment within 30 days. A non-binding overdo estimate, on the other hand, ensures that the amount you would typically pay is sufficient for the services provided. Furthermore,
Filing complaints to/for your movers is done up to 9 months after the move. After that, you no longer may lodge complaints. Make sure to open all your boxes until then.
