Hiring a moving service can be costly and expensive. However, if the price is right and you are getting the value of what you pay for, it is worth it.
Because you will be shelling out some money for a moving service, it is right to know more about them before hiring one.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Moving Professional
If it is your first time hiring a moving professional, you should know what to expect. After all, it is just right because you are paying for its services.
There are tons of advantages to hiring a moving professional. Some of them are already obvious because you do not have to be in-debt with your relatives and friends by asking for their help. If you hire a moving professional, you do not have to owe anyone some gratitude, and you do not even have to bother your loved ones from their busy lives. The movers do it whether they like it or not because it is their job, and you pay them for doing it.
Because you pay a moving company, you can upgrade your standards. Expect that you will save time and energy. If you hire an excellent and reputable company, its movers will handle your belongings well because they know how to pack, and they will not bump them to walls.
Reputable companies also guarantee that none of your items will break. Because of this guarantee, you can expect that they will refund you if the movers happen to break one carelessly.
However, despite the attractive offers, a moving professional can offer, face the fact that it is not all unicorns and rainbows. You should accept that you have to entrust your possessions to strangers, you have to be professional, and you need to pay a hefty amount of money that includes the tips and treats to give to the movers.
Pros and Cons of Doing-It-Yourself Your Move
If you are broke, you do not have any other choice but to move your stuff yourself. It is not all bad because you can still enjoy some benefits of it.
One of these benefits is that you have total control. You do not have to worry about other people touching or breaking your stuff because the moving is all at your responsibility. You also have the freedom to be late or early than your decided schedule, and you can pack your stuff, however, you want. You save some money too.
However, these benefits have downsides too. Because you will be doing everything yourself, you should prepare yourself to do some heavy lifting. You also have to thoroughly plan everything to make sure that nothing can go wrong. Unexpected and unwelcome surprises can happen when you are already moving out of your old house.
Tips for Moving Help
If you think that hiring a moving company is a better decision for your circumstance, there are some tips that you should know about moving help.
One piece of advice is to create an inventory of your possessions. It should include all the necessary details, such as the name and classification of each of your belongings, the cost, the designated place, etc. It would help if you also estimate the cost and value of each of your possessions.
Before the movers come into your place, it is essential to prepare your stuff too. It will be helpful and safe for the movers if you can get rid of the drawers and shelves that might fall into their heads. If you cannot remove them, tape them securely.
Part of the things you should do before the movers arrive at your doorstep is to know the services’ limitations. Even though it is their job to move stuff, they set boundaries on what they can carry. The following are examples of the property that they do not move.
Flammables and explosives (aerosols, firecrackers, paint, etc.)
Pets and plants
Perishable items
Although moving companies do not have the policy about valuables’ transport, it is common sense that you should be the one to do it.
Lastly, if you’re moving to a home or high rise building, ensure that the home has ample space or ways to bring in heavy items and furniture, and if moving to a high rise, ensure that the building has a freight elevator.
What Other Services Are Offered
If it is your first time to move and you have some spare money to spend, it will be an excellent idea to avail some of the moving company’s additional services to cut you some extra work. Some different services are useful for the move, and that includes challenging maneuvering.
It is an extra service that you should consider, especially if you have large furniture that cannot fit through your doors. The movers will do the maneuvering to transport it to another place.
They also offer storage, which helps with a long-distance gap between your old home and the new one. Cleaning services are a part of the extras to eliminate the debris and dust caused by the move.
Its other services include disassembly and reassembly, packing, and handling fragile items.
Several factors affect the cost, one of which is the distance of the move. If the new location is close to your home, it will be cheaper than the long-distance one. Commonly, there are three different types of pricing structures that movers use.
The first one is the local move that refers to the distance of not more than 90 miles. Most companies ask for an hourly rate, although some offer a flat rate, their pricing structure is a secret to everyone.
What the structure commonly consists of aside from the payment per hour are the following:
Material fees
Sales tax
Insurance premium
Fuel surcharge
Craning charge
Large item fee
Crating fee
Per stair surcharge
Disposal charge
Storage charge
Overnight hold fee
The second is an interstate move that goes beyond 90 miles. Moving companies charge based on the binding estimate and weight of your possessions.
The third is international move, wherein the company charges you by the volume of your possessions, but it still depends on the company.
Our last tip is to find out if their pricing structure includes tips. If not, you should consider setting aside some extra cash for tipping your movers
Is Your Estimate Binding?
When it comes to the estimates, you should know the different types of calculations various movers use, so you will learn how much to pay.
Binding estimate refers to the flat fee that you have to pay even if your cargo exceeds or weighs less than the estimated weight. However, the mover can revise the estimate later if you decide to add more or ask for extra services.
Some movers have the not-to-exceed estimate type. It works when the movers provide price protection based on the actual cost of the possession or the binding estimate, depending on which is lower. The movers will present it to you in a written form.
What makes it different from the binding estimate is that you do not have to pay for more if the weight exceeded. However, if the actual value is less than the forecast, you will have to pay less. Because of this, the not-to-exceed estimate is the best option.
The non-binding is less common because of the room for additional unwanted fees. It works when a mover sets a price that is not binding but only estimates your belongings’ weight. There is a tendency that you will have to pay the estimated cost and 10 percent of it more if your possessions weigh more than the estimated value.
What Kind of Equipment Do Movers Use
Professional movers use different types of equipment for moving your items. These are essential so that they can transport even the ones that require challenging maneuvering.
One of them is hoisting straps.
These straps are the movers used to hoist your stuff that cannot get through your door.
Movers also use dollies and crates. They use them to transport multiple stuff simultaneously and transport heavy stuff securely, efficiently, and quickly.
You can also find a pallet jack among their equipment. They use it to lift heavy stuff that seems impossible for one man to lift.
The ramps are also one of the movers’ equipment. Instead of going up or down the stairs, movers use a ramp to transport your stuff. It also makes it faster for the movers to move your item because they can connect it directly to the truck.
Aside from this equipment, the movers use essential tools, which can be useful for disassembling and assembling your stuff.
Make Sure They Are Fully Insured
The truth is moving companies do not have the right to sell or offer insurance. People often mistake insurance for what the moving companies provide as valuation because they work the same way. Valuation works by assuring the customers that the moving company will pay your belongings that their movers lost or damaged during the transport.
Reputable companies offer valuation, and it comes in two types: full value and released value protection.
The released value protection is a type of coverage that you should not go for, especially if you own lightweight and expensive items. It works when a company is only willing to compensate cents per pound.
For example, a company is willing to pay 0.60 USD per pound for the released value protection. However, it is your 10-pound, 1000 USD porcelain china vase that its movers broke. The company will only pay 6 USD for the damage without any replacement and repair.
The full-value protection is the better choice because here, the company is willing to pay the damaged goods at the full amount based on your declared value. However, you need to pay the premium first, and moving companies have their set of limitations on this type of coverage.
It is crucial to ask the company about it.
Find Out Exactly What Is Included
If you choose a moving company’s full-service, you need to know its scope to maximize your payment value. When you choose full service, the movers should do the following.
The movers should supply all the materials needed for transporting your goods. It includes paper, boxes, bubble wrap, and shipping supplies, such as paddling. It does not mean that you should do all the job of packaging your stuff because they provided them. The movers should be the ones to do it too.
The movers should disassemble and assemble some of your stuff. They should be the ones to produce the tools to do these tasks.
As expected, the movers are the ones who should do the carrying, the lifting, and the transporting of your stuff.
When the movers reach your destination, they will do the unpacking of your belongings too.
Lastly, the movers should do the cleaning. They should dispose of all the tapes, plastics, bubble wraps, boxes, and cardboard that they used to move your stuff.
Ask for References and Referrals
Moving services provide tremendous help to people who need to transport their belongings. They save people from having to lift and carry the heavy stuff.
However, some moving services are rogue. These services do not guarantee your beloved belongings’ safety and protection, so you need to be wary of them.
What better way to get the best moving services than through referrals from your family and friends? You can guarantee that someone had a positive experience working with these movers through references and referrals, which can benefit you.
What About Background Checks
Aside from references and referrals, you should do a background check too. It is to make sure that your friend is not only referring to a friend who has no job at a time or running a rogue moving business.
As for the background check the credentials, such as having a USDOT number, which you can verify from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) website. You may also visit websites such as MovingScam to find out if the moving company has a bad reputation.
You may also check other customers’ reviews
Other Services to Consider
If you move-in and move-out of a house, you can expect tons of garbage, dust, and dirt throughout the process. That is why you may also want to consider hiring cleaning services.
There are tons of cleaning services out there dedicated to those people who need to transport their goods. Among them is the Long Island Maids.
If you want to search for the right kind of movers, you need to learn some tips for hiring moving help. Finding the perfect service for move out cleaning services is just as crucial Although nobody stops you from doing it yourself, you know that it will be exhausting mentally and physically. That is why if you can afford, and if you want to save yourself from back pain and possible accidents, which can be more costly, you need to hire movers.
Of course, you do not want to hire just anyone. After all, you will be spending a lot of money. That is why you need to get the value of your payment if you do not want to have a horrible experience.
Here are some tips that you should know.
Learn That There Are Different Kinds of Movers
Moving companies seem to be the same at first glance. After all, they are all doing the same services of transporting your stuff from one place to another. Yet, not all are the same. That is why you need to know what type of moving company to hire based on your needs.
The local movers only operate up to the distance, not more than 100 miles, within the state boundaries. This type of mover does not need to register for a USDOT number, and it usually charges at a per hour rate.
The long-distance movers operate by transporting your goods from one state to another. If the move goes beyond 100 miles, it is also long-distance. The company usually charges based on the distance and the weight of your cargoes. This time, the company needs to have a USDOT number.
International movers operate by transporting your cargoes to another country. This kind of transport has a complicated process because of the global regulations that you and the company should follow. The cost basis is the cargoes’ volume.
Aside from these kinds, you should also know that moving companies have their specialization. Some specialize in moving business equipment, and some focus on household moving.
Ask Someone You Know
The first step you should do when you plan to hire a moving company is to ask for recommendations and references from someone you know already has the experience. This person is the one who can tell the positive or negative experience of the company your friend hired.
If you do not know someone, you can search on the Internet or other sources. You can go to websites that review different moving companies to let you know which provides the best experience.
Compile lists of your prospects and not just one.
Ask the Company’s Profile
Now that you have a list of your prospect moving companies, it is time to do more in-depth research. What you need to do next is to contact the company and ask it. You may also search for info on the web.
Ask the company about its expertise and offers. Please list all the possible questions to ask them, including how long the company has been in the business, insurance, and services it offers, and anything that sparks your curiosity.
It is also crucial that you do the background check yourself. You can search the Internet to check the company’s reputation and credibility.
Find out if the company has a USDOT number, which you can verify from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association’s website (FMCSA). If you know this number, you can learn a lot of information about it, which is vital in doing a background check.
Get an Estimation
An excellent company can provide you an at-home estimation. However, it would help if you do some inventory of your stuff before asking for it.
Also, ask to provide a full breakdown of your payment. If there is something on the lists that you cannot understand, ask about it. Learn the scope of your fee and the possible hidden charges.
Ask About the Equipment They Use
If you want to hire local movers, make sure that they have the equipment to transport your cargo safely. They should own all their equipment, especially if you possess a specialty item, such as a piano or other stuff that needs special equipment.
As much as possible, avoid movers who only rent their equipment because of the chances that this equipment will not be available at the last minute you need it. There might also be a possibility of cancellation of schedule because of the unavailability of the equipment.
If you want to hire long-distance or international movers, there is a big chance that it belongs to a national or international franchise. Most commonly, equipment should not be an issue because the movers can pull it off from the other branch.
Ask About the Services They Offer
There are three types of services that moving companies offer.
If you have the budget, it is best to go for the full-service. In a full-service, the movers will take care of everything from start to finish, even the cleanup.
All you have to do is direct the movers while you are sitting on a couch eating pizza.
The movers will take care of everything, even the tools, and equipment that they have to use from packing, assembling, transporting, and unpacking your stuff. They will do the cleanup too.
Others offer partial moving services. In this case, you can request for the particular service you need that includes packing, transporting, and picking-up. You may also ask for storage services if you need them.
On the other hand, others offer self-service, which is not costly but can be back-breaking. In this case, the movers will only transport your goods, but you will do all the packing, disassembling, cleaning, etc.
Compare Estimates and Services
The reason you should not settle for doing your research for a single company is to compare estimates. Your goal is to maximize the services for a price as low as possible.
Consider the Other Factors Aside From the Cost
If you only focus on the moving service’s cost and not its quality, you will have a negative experience. Worst, you might probably lose more money than you should. Imagine the sloppy treatment of inexperienced movers on your precious belongings that you bought out of your hard-earned money.
That is why if you are willing to spend on the transport of your stuff, invest in a reputable company that you are sure can provide you the best services. Even though the price is high, you are confident that you will get your money’s worth.
Before availing what other services the moving company offers, you need to make sure that you get the other factors ready.
Moving out is a huge decision because of the considerations that come along with it. It includes the preparations of your possessions, the food to purchase for the movers, the movers to hire, and more. It is crucial not to miss anything because it may lead to disaster.
When moving out, your ultimate goal is to have a smooth and stress-free relocation. That is why you should know the 15 things worth considering to make sure that nothing will go wrong on the big day.
You do not have to worry. Although it may seem stressful, you only have to break your tasks down into manageable steps. You will see that it will all work out in the end as long as you plan it well.
It is advisable to start planning and taking some action weeks or months before the big day.
Go Over Your Expenses and Savings
Moving out is expensive. You need to bear that in mind.
Before you avail of the moving company’s extra services, make sure that you can afford it.
Practice the Lifestyle That You Should Have in Your New Home
If it is your first time to move out of your parents’ house, you should expect that you will be all by yourself in your new home. You need to pay for the bills yourself, including rent, food, water, utilities, etc.
It is advisable to practice the lifestyle that you are going to have before moving out.
Sort Out Your Possessions
Some people find this activity enjoyable because you can visit your old stuff, giving you nostalgia. You need to sort out your possessions because you do not want your useless stuff to add to your items’ weight that you need to transport. It will not only be exhausting for you or the movers, but it will also be pointless and a waste of resources.
This step is what you should do weeks before the big day, so you can have time to sell or dispose of all the stuff that you do not need.
If you are having a hard time deciding which of your possessions to let go or to hold on, it will help if you create a plan for your home’s interior. Imagine which of your possessions that you would like to place in your room, kitchen, living room, etc.
Find out which of your belongings will fit in your new home.
Buy the Essentials Early
It is another reason why you should start planning weeks before. You do not want the kitchenware, appliances, and other crucial stuff to add to your moving expense.
That is why you should buy the essentials early, except for the furniture.
Create a Schedule
Creating a schedule is another reason you should start planning weeks before the big day. Doing allows you to realize all the tasks that you need to do before and after the big day. It also allows you to break up the vast tasks into smaller conquerable ones.
Having a schedule will also allow you to wisely budget your time and make sure that nothing can go wrong on the big day.
Create an Inventory
Making an inventory of your possessions allows you to keep track of them to ensure that the movers will not leave anything behind.
An inventory should include the types and distinctive features of your possessions so that you can identify them. It also has the designation where you are planning to put them to inform the movers fast where they can place them.
Inspect their condition, including the photos, warranties, certificates, etc. They will serve as proof about your belongings’ previous state, in case the movers have become careless transporting your stuff.
The inventory should also include the possible cost of the move and the weight of your shipment. It will help you decide if you can afford to hire a moving company or settle from your relatives and friends’ help.
Prepare the Budget
Now that you have an inventory of your belongings, what you need to do next is prepare the budget. To know how much you will need, learn how much you are willing to do yourself, and how much you are ready to spend on the services offered by the moving company.
You also need to add some extra bucks that can be handy in emergencies.
Pack All the Essentials That You Will Need in 24 Hours Together
Use one bag to place all the essentials that you will need in 24 hours. It includes your medications, documents, money, etc.
You do not want to open up every box to look for your inhaler.
Pack Your Possessions
Before the big day, make sure to pack your possessions wisely. Use your inventory to organize and place similar stuff together and label if you will put them in a box. You also want to wrap old newspapers or bubble wrap on your fragile property.
Leave a Note and the Keys
On the big day and before leaving your old home, there are still some things that you should consider. One of them is leaving a welcome note to the next owner.
Leave the keys to your tenant. If you know the next person who will live in your old house, please send this person an email or text message on where you place the keys.
Clean the Old House One Last Time
After the movers remove all your belongings, make sure to do a little cleanup. You do not have to do intensive cleaning, but just enough cleaning caused by the move. It includes sweeping the dust and mopping the stains from where your furniture stood before.
Dispose of All the Trash
It is respectful to throw all the things that you do not need and dispose of them properly. You do not want the next family to move inside your old house to smell something rotten in the place.
Inspect Every Room
Before you hop on your vehicle, you need to make sure that the movers or friends did not leave everything behind in every room. That is why you need to do your last inspection.
Leave the Old House Secured
It is another respectful gesture to your tenant or to the next family or person who will live in your old house and leave the old house secure.
Before getting on to your car, leave the windows closed and the doors locked.
Inform Your Family, Friends, and institutions About Your New Address
Even though your closest loved ones probably already know that you are moving out, it is crucial to inform them exactly when you will be moving to the new address.
Because moving out is an enormous decision, you probably feel intimidated and stressed just by thinking of it. However, if you break your tasks down into smaller steps, you will realize that it is not as difficult.
