11 Tips on Dealing with Moving Companies

December 9th, 2008
  1. Determine which things to leave and take with you. Hiring a moving company requires payment so you should decide wisely on which stuff are worth paying for. Weight is a major consideration especially in long distance moving.
  2. Coordinate with your moving company. An in-home inspection is a wise move as you can get moving quotes from the company and even ask them relevant questions such as the handling of valuable items.
  3. Pay attention on how the company conducts the survey. This could help you determine which company is reliable and which is not.
  4. Be informed about the weather forecast on the moving day. Keep the driveways and sidewalks clean especially when snow is expected. Also, know whether your movers will provide floor protection for your house.
  5. Inform concerned neighbors regarding moving dates. This shall prevent conflicts in parking situation as moving trucks usually take up a lot of space.
  6. The person who transacted with the company should be the same person to coordinate with the moving crew. This will help prevent discrepancies between the list of items that are set to be moved and those that will actually be moved. In addition, give the driver a tour of your home when he asks for it. That way, you can answer relevant questions that he might ask.
  7. Serve snacks and drinks to the moving crew. This could help increase their productivity.
  8. Show respect to the moving crew. It would certainly have an effect on their performance.
  9. Work with the driver as he does the inventory. This is a good time to discuss questions and other concerns. A reliable inventory could benefit both you and the moving company.
  10. Prepare schematics of how furniture will be placed in your home. Check the inventory as soon as furniture is moved to your new home.
  11. Tip should be based on the quality of moving services delivered by the crew. Excellent service deems higher gratuity.

A Homeowners’ Guide to Moving Companies

December 4th, 2008

Moving to a new home need not be a painful experience. Just following these simple moving tips can save homeowners from a lot of trouble.

Canvas for Moving Quotes

The best way to get a fair deal is to contact a lot of companies and ask for price quotes. This way, one can compare prices and ensure that he gets the services that he needs the most. Just remember to follow the next advice when doing so.

Get In-house Estimates

One of the common mistakes homeowners make in hiring moving companies is making the transaction and asking for a quote over the telephone. A precise estimate is only possible if the company goes to the house and sees all the things that have to be moved. Also, if the company is within 50 miles, this is a requirement.

Beware of Cheap Moving Costs

A mover who tells a homeowner that he’s willing to do the job for s lot less than other movers is probably a scammer. One of the usual schemes that movers may do is to hold the homeowner’s things for insurance until the extra charges which suddenly just crop up in the bills are paid.

Plan Ahead

Companies have their busy seasons so it’s always a good plan to arrange everything in advance. The best time is during second to third weeks of winter since most renters move out at the start of the month when the lease has been signed.

Get a Written Contract

Make sure that a binding estimate has been signed. The contract has to contain all the services agreed upon by the company and the homeowner. A homeowner has the right to refuse signing a moving quote or contract which makes him uncomfortable.

In summary, hiring moving companies just takes a lot of good sense. Hopefully, these tips would be quite helpful. Good luck!

Myths in Moving and Hiring Moving Companies

December 4th, 2008

Planning to move out? Homeowners should be aware of these common misconceptions when making a move and in hiring moving companies.

It’s Okay to Keep Secrets…

From the moving company that is. A homeowner may neglect to tell the company essential things such as the non-presence of elevators in the new home. Though movers may be resourceful, expect additional charges when the bill comes.

My Insurance will Cover Everything

Things could go wrong during a move. Homeowners or renters have to know which household items are not be covered by the insurance policy. Thus, necessary precautions should be taken to protect their things.

I Do NOT Need Moving Help

Think about it. Moving does not entail simply throwing things inside a truck. A lot of things have to get done like packing items securely, loading them into a truck and driving to the new home. Doing the move alone may be costlier and harder. So unless the only furniture is a lampshade and a few bedsheets, hiring a good company is still advisable.

The Movers will Take Care of Everything

Movers do what they’re hired to do. They’re not there to do the stuff the homeowner needs to do for himself. A move entails a plan, and a homeowner should take careful note of the moving help he will need, how he will get things done, all the things that have to be secured, etc. etc. A checklist will help a lot in this department.

Moving is Cheap

Moving a considerable distance or to a bigger home may cost thousands of dollars. Getting an in-house moving quote from the company is necessary. Also add a little room for unforeseen expenses in the moving budget. Travel expenses, insurance and temporary living expenses should be taken into account.

Remember these myths; use a lot of common sense when getting a moving service; and in all probability, moving to a new home will become less complicated.

Essential Moving Tips to Work Within a Budget

December 3rd, 2008

Moving to a new home location is an exciting event for a family despite the difficulty and the expenses involve. To get the job done as quickly as possible, families rely solely on the services of moving companies without establishing all the essentials and planning on their budget. The costs in moving are not isolated […]

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Moving Tips for First-Timers

December 3rd, 2008

Moving home for first-timers is not that simple. You need to contact moving companies to do the back-breaking job of carrying out, loading and carrying in your appliances, furniture and other stuff. You not only should consider your moving cost but also the cost involved of living on your own. Here are some financial tips […]

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Reduce Moving Costs by Making a Budget

December 1st, 2008

When moving home, unexpected events often arise. But when you have a plan and a budget in your mind and on paper, you would be able to decide quickly on how to respond to the unpleasant surprises. You can make a moving budget using the MS Excel or GoogleDocs spreadsheet, but you can use paper […]

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Moving and Storage Pitfalls that Will Cost You More

December 1st, 2008

There are several reasons why an individual or family will leave their own abode and move into another home. While some of these reasons are for advancement purposes, like moving to a newly bought house or landing a much higher-paying job, others can be personal and not planned. In any case, moving services can entail […]

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Tips in Saving Money from Moving Services

November 27th, 2008

The next big exciting thing that a family would experience after buying a home is moving. The only downside in moving services is the cost, particularly employing the services of moving companies. Following basic tips and tricks when you move can save you a great deal of money that should be allocated for the beautification […]

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