Do you know that moving or relocating a home is considered as the third most stressful experiences? Today, people are intimidated on what kind of moving company they will trust their worldly possession with. Here are helpful tips for people who are planning to make a move of their household goods and personal effects.
By making use of these tips, it will change the quality of your move. They are based on experiences of people who have gone through the work without stress and anxiety.
1 – When you decide to hire a moving company, consider the cost carefully. Doing the moving yourself will not save money for you have the consider costs for insurance and gasoline for the truck, not to mention the value of your efforts. If you want to rent and drive the truck yourself, be sure that it is thoroughly maintained. Faulty equipment combined with your inexperience as a truck driver can be double jeopardy.
2 – If you decide to rent a mover, make a good selection. Be careful in selecting a mover. Start by asking friends, your local ‘Better Business Bureau and others references. Deal only with a reputable firm. Make sure the mover is properly insured.
3 – Your next step is to get written estimates. As a representative to visit your hope so he can see the move and give you the proper estimate. Many movers are aware that a written estimate is legally binding. It is advisable to contact movers at least 2 weeks before the move.
4 – Take time to do a move. Interstate moves are done on large tractor trailers that typically hold 5 or 6 or more different household goods shipment. For a small shipment, determine a specific date requirements for pickup and/or delivery; you have to pay a premium price for this service.
5 – Movers are often busy every end of the month and during summertime. Make your move out of this time. By avoiding these busiest weeks, you will be better off.
6 – The moving company can do packing for you. Pieces of furniture, including televisions, and large electronic items, are blanket padded. There is no charge for this. But you can save money, if you do most or all of your packing yourself. You can leave clothes and linens in dresser drawers so long as it does not leave the dresser too heavy to safely move and the shipment is not going to storage for any length of time.
7 – There are several types of liability coverage which are broken down into 3 basic types. A minimum amount of coverage which is usually provided for free. An actual cash value type coverage and a full replacement type of coverage. Know what type of coverage you want and how much.
8 – You will need to sign this document twice, at both origin and destination. Your driver will sign it as well. At origin, when you sign you are acknowledging the items that were taken and their condition. On destination, you are agreeing you received all the items on the inventory and also to their condition. You could request an inventory and be sure to review this with the driver and have him sign any notations you make regarding damaged or missing items.
9 – Local moves are usually charged by the hour. The time charged usually includes ‘travel time’ which is the time it takes the move crew to get from their office to your residence, then back to the office after the delivery.
Interstate moves are usually charged by the weight of the shipment although some of the newer companies charge by the cubic foot. Services like the use of elevators and stair carries are charged at an extra rate.
Packing services are usually charged separately, usually at a specific rate for providing each carton and providing the packing labor. You can also tip your mover for a job well done.
10 – Many movers have special deals they can offer you through various organizations you may belong to. If your organization does not have this feature, E-mail me their name, telephone numbers, and person’s name to contact. I will get in touch with them and make this service available.