FAQs About Hiring A Moving Company
Hiring a moving company is a big deal and the decision on who to hire is not an easy one. You have to be able to trust your moving company with all of your most valuable possessions. Arm yourself with some basic information about how moving companies work. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about how moving companies charge and how the estimates work to get you started on the process. For even more information and a directory of some of the best movers in the industry, open a free One Simple Move™ account today.
Specifics vary state to state. Local moving services are generally charged on an hourly basis and long distance moves and interstate moves are calculated using a combination of the weight of the items to be moved and the distance their being transported.
In order for an estimate to be generated an inventory must be completed of the items you would like to be moved. This inventory is typically referred to as a survey in the moving industry. This involves the creation of a detailed record of items to be moved from your home. The list is comprehensive and includes all furniture, appliances and estimated number of boxes.
It is recommended that this inventory/survey be completed by the moving company.
In certain instances movers may not perform an in home survey due to location or size of home.
If this is the case you will need to inventory your household belongings and provide info to the mover. It is recommended and in your best interest to ensure that this is done as accurately as possible to ensure an accurate quote from the mover. Be sure to include garage basements, attics and other storage spaces. To simplify this process use a home inventory organizer like the one available to all customers free of charge in their One Simple Move™ account which also assists with move planning in general and provides additional long lasting benefits.
It is strongly recommended that you request quotes from multiple moving companies for price and service comparison. Please note that each moving company may require they complete their own inventory.
This depends on the type of estimate given. In many states movers are required to provide the customer with a binding estimate. Ask the mover specifically what type of estimate they are providing you with in order to be sure you can rely on the final amount due. The best type of estimate that can be given is the Binding Not-To-Exceed or Gross Not-To-Exceed estimate. This means that mover can not charge you more than the estimate but it is possible that they will charge you less. Some states do not require binding estimates and generally movers in those states will not provide them. In these states it is even more important to find moving companies that have excellent reputations and that they get a complete and accurate inventory to provide the estimate. Open a One Simple Move™ account to find a directory with some of the top moving companies in the industry with reputations for providing accurate estimates and a high level of customer satisfaction.
There are many good moving companies but they are not always easy to find. Bad moving companies typically advertise just as much, if not more than their high quality counterparts both in phone books and on the internet. One Simple Move™ does not recommend the use of lead generating websites who typically work with moving companies of varying quality and will sell your information to these companies, sometimes without even telling you who they are. For states that are regulated by a state agency it is good idea to visit the websites of those agencies for a list of licensed moving companies in your state and more information about your state regulations. Additionally by searching the BBB for a complaints and using other mover review sites you can get a better feel for the level of service provided. By opening a One Simple Move™ account you are provided with a directory of some of the best movers in the industry in your area that can service your needs. One Simple Move™ only works with moving companies that are properly licensed and insured, have a good history with the BBB and many are known and respected in the industry as providing excellent customer service.
Many moving companies also have large warehouses and offer storage as well as moving services. This type of storage is different than self storage in that your belongings are crated (or in the case of larger individual items like sofas which are wrapped in heavy duty shrink wrap to protect them and stacked on massive shelving units) and stored in the warehouse. This type of storage is usually more cost efficient than self storage and your belongings are typically safer. It is ideal for scenarios when there will be a lag between moving out of your old house and moving in to your new one or when you know you will not need items for a significant amount of time. It is not ideal if you want to have consistent and easy access to your belongings. If the moving company name says "moving & storage" in the name than you know it offers this type of service but even many movers will offer this service even when it is not clearly indicated in the name of the company.