Choosing a Moving Company
How to Prepare Your RFQ Checklist
- When do you need to move? Keep in mind that movers are often busy at the end of the month, on Fridays and weekends. They may charge more for service in these premium times. Consider moving on an "off day" and ask if they offer a discount for relocation during the company's less busy times.
- Where are you coming from, going to? Are you looking to move locally, long-distance or overseas?
- How much stuff needs to be moved? Write down the number of rooms in your home. Mentally walk through every room, listing the big items first (like furniture, appliances, and other items that don't fit into boxes). Then try to work out how many boxes it will take to remove the rest of the stuff in the room. Don't forget to think about garden furniture and the contents of your garage.
- Do you want help with packing, or do you want to do the small stuff yourself?
- Will you transport valuable or fragile items?
- How much insurance will you need? Use your list to estimate the replacement value of each item.
The best way to find a reliable moving company is by word-of-mouth. If you know someone who has recently moved, find out which moving company they chose and what they thought of the service. Your real estate agent might also be able to give a good recommendation (as well as tell you which movers to avoid!).
Use the web to search and compare local and national companies. Several terrific independent websites offer unbiased information and comparisons of movers, like 123Movers.com. But be alert: some mover-directory websites gather your contact information and sell it to multiple movers; your phone may start ringing a lot. A consumer ratings site, like Yelp.com, aggregates customer feedback for an expansive customer review.
Shopping and Comparing: What to Ask a Mover
- How long has your company been in business?
- Do you own your own equipment, or do you contract out?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Are you a member of the American Moving and Storage Association?
- Do you have any references that I may contact directly?
- Will you do an in-home estimate, at no charge?
After talking to a handful of companies, arrange for at least three or four in-home estimates to get a better idea of your moving costs. It's the only way to get a close-to-accurate moving quote, and it's usually a good way to screen out scammer moving companies (who often don't like to take the time to give you an in-home estimate).
Show the moving company everything you plan to move. The more thorough you are in detailing what has to be relocated, the more accurate the estimate will be. Also, let the estimator know about any issues at your home -- or the home you're moving to -- that could complicate the process. Lots of stairs, narrow angles and poor driveway access are just a few examples that might add to your overall costs.
Comparing quotes will help you decide which company to choose, but try not to make your choice by cost alone. It may be smarter to spend a little more money and get the company with the best reputation. If you just have a bad feeling you can't explain but the price is right, trust your gut over your wallet.
Once you make a decision, you'll be asked to sign a contract outlining the details of your move. Read. The. Contract. If anything seems strange or confusing, ask for clarification. Make notes right on your contract. If the mover dismisses any phrase in the contract by suggesting, "Don't worry about that," cross out the sentence. Ask the mover to initial and date any contract changes in pen.
Don't forget to give your movers a call a few days beforehand to confirm your arrangements. Be sure you (or a trusted friend) attend all inventory counts and truck weigh-ins in person. Make your own notes. Keep all documents and records in a safe place where they can't be misplaced during the move.
These basic guidelines should help you position yourself for a successful move. But in the end if you feel like you've been taken advantage of, cheated in some way, or robbed by a mover, report it immediately and report it often.
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