Hiring a Professional Mover
It can be stressful to turn over part of your move to a professional mover, but with the following guidelines, you can maximize your chances of hiring the right company -- and minimize your stress in the process.
- For a local move, get references from friends and be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau about any moving company you are considering.
- On interstate moves, charges are based on the weight of the items to be moved, the distance to be moved, packing, and other services. Get two or three estimates well in advance of your move.
- Make sure the mover is aware of everything to be moved. The cost will increase if anything is added to the shipment that was not included in the estimate.
- Unless you pay the movers to pack your belongings, it's unlikely that they will be insured against breakage caused by improper packing.
- The mover will issue you a bill of lading, a legal contract between the customer and the mover. Be sure to hang on to it.
- Make sure that any contract you enter into covers rates and charges, the mover's liability for your possessions, dates for pickup and delivery, and claims protection.
- If you have the option to move between October and April, you may be able to receive a better price. If your move is scheduled between June and September, the busiest times for movers, be sure to call well in advance for estimates and to settle on a contract.
- Once your shipment is picked up, you may incur storage costs if you change the delivery date, so try to make sure you are able to move into your new home on the scheduled date.
- Movers are responsible for loss or damage to goods caused by the carrier. If anything is missing or if cartons are damaged, this should be noted when you check the inventory sheet at delivery.
