Tips for Choosing a Mover
Choosing the right moving company can lower your relocation stress.
National Moves
 Before choosing a mover, decide which furniture and items you will be moving. Keep in mind that movers usually charge by weight for moves over 50 miles. Items such as books and tools are usually the most expensive to move. Use the "6-Month Rule" when weeding out your belongings. If you haven’t used it in the past six months and it isn’t a family heirloom, then it probably isn’t worth keeping. If your furniture is old, then it might be more beneficial for you to buy new after you move. People sometimes find that their old furniture does not fit into the visions they have for their new home. Eliminating furniture you may not need will save you money in the long run. You will not have to pay to move it nor discard of it when it is no longer needed. Before you move, hold a garage sale. The funds you raise will help pay for your moving fees.
Once you decide what to move, decide if you or the movers will be doing the packing. The movers will protectively wrap the furniture the day they load the truck, but smaller items need to be loaded into boxes. They charge extra for this service. If you decide to pack items yourself, you can get boxes from the movers or collect boxes from local stores. Each box should be marked with your name and in which room it should be placed.
Before calling the moving companies, have a general idea of how many boxes and pieces of furniture you will need moved, and if there are any unusual factors like home access. These details will give you a more accurate quote.
Moving companies will either give you a quote over the phone or send out a relocation specialist to make a list of what you need to move. Either way, try to be as involved with the process as possible. Talk to friends about their moving experiences and research companies online at web sites like ePinions.com or contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). While no company has a perfect record, it is wise to avoid companies that are continuously collecting negative ratings.
When speaking to the moving companies, there are eight questions you should remember to ask in addition to price inquiries:
1. Does your company have a list of references?
2. Do you subcontract your services? If so, to who and do they have references?
3. Will my possessions be transferred to another truck or storage at any time?
4. Will my possessions be sharing a truck with another family’s?
5. Do your drivers receive training?
6. How will my furniture be protected?
7. What are your replacement/compensation policies for damaged possessions?
8. Who do I call to report problems?
When your moving day arrives, be finished packing and prepared to assist the movers. If your home is on a busy street, rise early and reserve enough space for the moving truck to park. If your neighborhood or building requires reservations for parking or elevator usage, do so in advance so there are no conflicts on your moving day. Remember to exchange contact information with the driver in case a problem arises and verify the delivery address. It probably has been sometime since the company recorded it and you want to make sure there were no mix-ups when scheduling your move.
Local Moves
If your move is under 50 miles or just a few hours, you may choose to do all the moving yourself. You have the options of renting a truck from U-Haul, Penske, Budget, etc. or you may choose to try a portable storage container that is dropped off at your home until it is filled and transported by the container company to your new home. Portable storage containers help you to save money and give you the opportunity to move at your own pace, unlike truck rental companies that charge by the day. When you use EXIT Realty and PODS, your local move is on us. Visit our PODS page for more information.
© Meghan M. Riley, March 2009
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