Hints On Moving
Mar 25 '01
The Bottom Line Make sure the company you choose is reputable
To me moving is one of the worst things you can possibly do and I have done it more times than I care to remember. We have done it ourselves and hired moving companies to move us. That is what this Epinion is about. Hiring a moving company.
When you have decided it’s time to move, either across town or across the country there are a few things that you need to know about hiring a moving company.
The first thing I can suggest is ask around about moving companies and what experience people have had with them. Make a list of several that you think you would like to use then pick up that phone and call the Better Business Bureau and find out what kinds of complaints have been issued against that company and were they satisfactorily settled or not settled at all. Once you have done that then decide on the company that will give you the least problems.
Ask if the company is licensed and bonded and then ask to see copies of these documents. Just remember you are letting total strangers into your home to go through your most personal items. Every now and then the movers will hire someone that has stealing on their mind, not the actual packing.
Call far enough in advance of your move to get a written estimate from them, everything should be in writing or you don’t have a leg to stand on.
Find out what services they offer such as packing, storing if necessary, how long will it take to get your belongings to their final destination. Unloading and unpacking. I prefer to unpack myself as they just dump the stuff in the floor and you are left with a huge hunt on your hands. Also, will they transport the second car so that the whole family can go together to the final destination?
Also ask does the company offer insurance against breakage and damage to your things. Just remember most companies do but they pro-rate it to go along with the age of the furnishings so you might not get but a couple of dollars.
When the movers come out to pack you will notice a person with a clipboard and several sheets of paper documenting your things. Ask to see these documents and check them carefully, you will notice that it will have a place to mark damages that already exist. Also notice that they do tend to mark damages that aren’t there too. That’s just in case something happens on the way and they won’t have to pay off. Question everything they have put down and if there isn’t any pre-existing damage demand that they remove it from the sheet. Once you have signed you have no recourse.
Take pictures of everything you can so when the van is unloaded you know what you have and what kind of condition it was in before it left you home to arrive at you new home. If you do find problems take pictures of that also. Record serial numbers.
My microwave didn’t seem to get on the truck to unload during one move. I told the movers to get on the phone and find out where it was now or I wasn’t going to move the cars out front to let the moving van move to it’s next destination. Funny how that microwave came out of the trunk of one of the un-packers. I did call the police and filed a complaint.
If you own guns check to see what the laws are for transporting these across state lines. Some states prohibit this and don’t let the mover talk you into sneaking them into the bottom of a box because they won’t be there when you arrive. This did happen to a friend of ours.
Jewelry, money and other items of great value should be taken with you. It’s a whole lot cheaper to rent a small U-haul than to have these items come up missing.
Remember to throw away as much stuff as possible. Moving is done on weight and the more weight the more it’s going to cost you.
Ask if your things are going to be the only ones on the moving van. There are times that the moving companies put two or three families together that are going to the same destination. It might cost more to have the van all to yourself, but; I have found it’s worth it. You minimize the chances of getting other peoples things and loosing yours.
Ask about their policy of you packing some of your things. Most of the time their insurance won’t cover the things you pack.
If you have to leave the house for any reason during the packing and loading process make sure you have someone there that you can trust to oversee what is going on. Never leave your home alone to complete strangers. That is just inviting trouble.
I hope this helps in some way to make your moving experience as hassle free as possible.
Thanks for reading.
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