With millions of transfers taking place each year in the United States, it’s a small miracle that most of them go off without a hitch. Of course, quality moves must be hired.
And with so many smooth steps, there are scams and shoddy practices. It is in your best interests to be aware of every phase of the procedure.
A reliable international moving company can inventory all of your possessions and assess the bulk and weight of your move, either in person or through a virtual survey. The estimator can go over all of your storage options with you, including cupboards, drawers, garages, and bookcases. The weight of your belongings and the amount of room they take up in the truck determine a significant portion of the moving company’s price. Make sure you understand and that this prediction is as reliable as possible.
Get a full tour of the facility.
An estimator who conducts a short walk-through without taking note of what you want to transfer is likely to be off the mark. A successful estimator will inquire about the items you want to transport from your current residence to your new residence. So be ready to tell the estimator which things you don’t want on the truck—those you plan to give away, donate to a charity, sell at a yard sale, or leave behind for the new owners.
Pay a small deposit instead of a big one.
Until moving, reputable movers would not claim cash or a big deposit. You can only pay when the item is delivered. You have no power over when you can see your belongings if you pay in advance. When paying, use a credit card to help protect yourself from potential fraud.
Avoid moving businesses that have changed their names.
Some businesses operate under several names to avoid being investigated by the Better Business Bureau. Check for a local address as well as details on licenses and insurance. Their employees can answer the phone using the company’s full name. Find out if the corporation operates under any other names and their state and federal license numbers. Look up the company’s name on the internet to see if there are any concerns. Call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s customer complaints hotline at 888-368-7238 to learn more about the company’s background.
Obtain movers’ references.
If you don’t have any suggestions from friends or relatives, look for a directory of reputable movers from organizations like the American Moving and Storage Association and state movers associations.
Request references from every mover you talk with. Tell them you’d like a list of three local customers who have moved in the last three months. Call those customers and inquire about their experiences directly.
Be wary of hidden costs.
Do you live in or plan to move into a two-story home? Are you relocating to or from a tenth-floor apartment? If that’s the case, you’ll almost certainly be paying more for the movers’ time spent negotiating stairwells and elevators. Have a narrow street where a moving van won’t fit? The move of your belongings to a smaller truck for delivery will incur a surcharge. Be sure to inquire about any extra charges that might relate to your situation with your mover.
A blank moving contract should be avoided at all costs.
A blank contract can never be signed. Make a written record of anything. Your pick-up and delivery dates, as well as the mover’s estimate and any additional fees, should all be mentioned. Check your contract for a list of all of your property. You can’t trust your laptop to be in the box when the driver arrives if it isn’t labelled on the inventory form you sign before he leaves. You won’t be able to make a petition for anything that isn’t on the inventory list.
