There are a lot of moving pieces at play when you are, well, moving. With so much to do, you’re going to need help.
And, I’m not talking about your little brother and that eccentric friend of his with the truck kind of help.
No, I mean professional help. The type of help that you can rely on and that you don’t have to bribe with promises of burgers and 6-packs.
Professional movers are a must for any move. They are well worth the peace of mind that they bring. Not to mention that they will also prevent you from physically overtaxing yourself at a time when you have enough else to worry about.
Not all professional movers are cut from the same cloth, however.
Even beyond the common sense things -- making sure they are licensed, insured, and checking references -- there can be several differences between moving companies.
Here are some questions you should be asking your movers prior to the move:
As they say, time is money. That’s especially the case with a move, where you will be paying for the company’s time
An experienced mover should be able to tell you how long the move will take and be upfront about what the costs associated with that time will be.
Get them to commit to a time frame to avoid confusion down the line.
One great way to reduce the amount of time that the move will take is to be prepared for the arrival of the movers. If everything is ready and organized for the movers, they will require less time to do their tasks.
So, nail down the time frames and make sure you’re all set up and ready to go by the time they show up at your doorstep.
In many cases, prices will be fixed. However, there may be discounts you are eligible for (i.e., a student, senior or veteran deal) that you are not aware of. Do your research and ask when you are pricing out your options.
Some companies may allow for some bartering, as well. If you really like the service of a mover, but another company came in a little lower, ask if they can match it.
You may be surprised by their flexibility. Every company is different.
Communication is going to be key throughout the process. The last thing you want is to be sitting in the dark, not knowing where your things are.
Make sure you have all the needed contact info for the delivery driver and the moving company. And, don’t be afraid to use it. You are paying them for a service and it’s perfectly acceptable to be kept informed throughout the process.
Every company will have different things that they consider as part of their core service and what they would call an add-on. Things like packing services, shuttle services, and disassembly of furniture may not be included in your quote.
It’s important to make sure you know what you are getting for what you’re paying. Otherwise, your final bill may surprise you – and not in a good way!
There will be certain items that you may not be able to move, depending on the safety requirements of your moving company.
Additionally, there may be restrictions that are designed to keep everyone safe that you will need to follow during the move.
The company will likely tell you what these rules are, but if not, be sure to ask as it could lead to some additional fees added to your final bill.
When it comes to moving, it’s always better to be informed and prepared – both for your mental health and your wallet!
If you are in the middle of packing your home before the movers arrive, check out our ‘The best order to pack your home’ article, which gives some great tips on how to pack efficiently.
