find the best moving company?
A salesperson from the moving company will walk through your home, making note of large furniture, breakable items like china and how much furniture needs to be broken down.You pay a certain amount, usually $4 to $9 for every $1,000 of your items’ value.
Anyone who’s ever used a moving company will have strong opinions about whether it was good or not.Most moving companies will offer a few options for insurance to cover items that are broken, damaged or lost.Movers aren’t perfect, so insurance is probably a good way to go.Even tackling a few boxes every weekend is worth saving the money.So after several weeks of researching companies and gathering estimates, here are my tips on shopping for a moving company: * As soon as your house hits the market, you’ll start getting promotional cards in the mail and phone calls.Get recommendations from friends and family.The rates go up on three-day holiday weekends, especially those that fall at the end of the month.I’ve even heard of people having packing parties where they get a few friends together for food and drinks and some packing.If not, choose an insurance plan based on the type of items the company will be moving.Look through them for interesting deals.Once you get a few estimates, figure out who your favorite is and ask if they can tweak their estimate to compete with the others.
All the moving companies I spoke to said they would consider bringing down the price to match estimates from similar businesses.Some of the best moving companies get business only through word of mouth, so you won’t hear about them through promotions or advertising.If you have lots of sentimental movers" class="kblinker" title="More about antique »">antiques, more coverage may be the best way to go.The last time my husband and I moved, we hired three guys who were recommended by a neighbor.Having a moving company pack your belongings will double the price of the move.Pack your own stuff, especially if your moving date is a few weeks down the road.My agent was able to get me a 10 percent discount with a large local moving company.We have grown-up furniture and a lot more of it.Get several in-home estimates.Things are a little different now with our second move.It was a little sketchy, but in the end our stuff arrived at our new house in pretty good condition.No company will be able to give you an accurate figure over the phone of how much it will cost to move your stuff.They showed up in an unmarked truck covered in graffiti to move our pitiful collection of furniture.Don’t forget to show them the attic, garage and basement.If you’re working with a local real estate agent, ask if they have any discounts or coupons with moving companies.But check with your own insurance policies to see if you already have coverage for moving damages.Research some of the names and see how they fare on consumer review services like Angie’s List.Moving companies kept telling me that my attic would be the most expensive part of the move because of how much stuff we have stored there.Don’t plan your move for a holiday weekend like Memorial Day or Labor Day.
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Make sure you find out how long the estimate will be honored and ask if the estimate is binding or non-binding.Before contacting a moving company it is a good idea to decide just what is to be moved and what will be given away, sold or discarded.A company may charge for a binding estimate A non-binding estimate is not a bid or contract and does not commit the mover to the stated amount.Know in advance just what relocation and moving services you want the mover to perform before taking the next step of contacting the companies being considered for the work.Make sure the moving company knows of any unusual conditions which could affect the amount of time and effort necessary for loading or unloading, such as parking situations, or difficulty of access, including stairs or elevators, as such conditions can raise the costs of the move.The agreement must be in writing, and if payment is not received on delivery, the shipment can be placed in storage until payment, including storage fees, is received.A binding estimate will clearly describe the shipment and what relocation and moving services are to be provided, and you will not be required to pay any more than the amount of the estimate, unless it is discovered that more services are necessary.The Better Business Bureau is an excellent source of information for determining the reliability of a company offering relocation and moving services, and word-of-mouth recommendations are also helpful.For interstate moves the Federal Highway Administration regulations protect movers, and information about rights and responsibilities can be obtained in a pamphlet available from the moving company.Companies that offer relocation and moving services abound and most offer free moving quotes, but selecting the right mover from all the available possibilities can be a challenge.Companies that provide relocation and moving services are not required to provide estimates, but most will do so if asked.If possible arrange for parking less than 75 feet from the door; longer distances could mean additional charges.Be aware of the liability policies of the mover regarding the different amounts of liability, what amount is provided, and the procedure to follow in entering a claim.Inquire as to any extra costs in the event of an unforeseen difficulty such as a parking problem or an extra flight of stairs.Ask for an estimate and if possible arrange for a company representative to check your home before getting an estimate in writing.Never accept a phone estimate and do not hire a company which offers one.Under a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot charge more than 10% over the amount of the estimate.The cost of the move is actually determined by the moving company’s published tariffs, which they are legally required to follow, so the amount of the estimate may not affect the total cost.
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