Are you looking to move soon? You’re not alone since 258 million people around the world don’t live in their birth country.
Whether you’re looking to move locally or across the globe, you’ll wonder how to hire movers.
In this article, you’ll learn how to hire movers and what to look for.
Read on to discover these tips and tricks to ensure that you find high-quality movers in your area.
Choose Your Move
What kind of move will you be doing?
Depending on the move you’ll be doing, this will determine what type of mover will be best.
Another option besides hiring movers is to use moving containers.
While they’re affordable and easy to move to storage, you have to load and unload them yourself.
Next, you’ll want to decide if you need any add-on services.
This can include furniture assembly and disassembly, custom crating, loading, electronics installation, and packing.
Ask for Recommendations
First, when you’re looking for small but reliable moving companies, you might want to begin with referrals from your friends and family.
While you can begin online, your best bet is to ask your co-workers, friends, neighbors, etc for recommendations.
Keep in mind that each person’s perception of a high-quality mover can be different.
They might also give you information about what movers to avoid as well.
Look Online
Another option is to search online for movers in your area. Make sure that you find one who meets your needs whether that’s local or international moving.
It’s best to have a budget in mind and see which movers fall into your budget. You’ll find that many movers charge by the hour.
In order to receive an estimate, they’ll ask you how many floors and rooms you have. Also, how many heavy pieces of furniture you have as well.
Along with this, you’ll need to pay for travel time as well. Find out if you’ll have to pay a fuel charge in addition to the other fees.
Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t just go with one mover and call it a day. Instead, get a quote from multiple movers.
Keep in mind that you won’t want to choose a mover just in price either.
For example, while a mover might have a much lower price than others, that might be a red flag.
Check Out Reviews
While one negative review isn’t necessarily a red flag, avoid one that has multiple negative reviews, or the reviews tend to have the same complaint.
Watch out for any reviews that state their items are damaged, last-minute charges, their items are being held by the mover, or unexpected delays.
Ask Questions
Before hiring a moving company, it’s a good idea to ask some questions such as if you’ll need insurance or not.
Also, if they have insurance in case there’s ever an accident.
You can also find out about tracking your shipment, if you’ll need moving supplies, and go over any heavy furniture you have for an accurate estimate.
Ask yourself if you’ll need any furniture disassembled and reassembled.
Avoid Blank Moving Contracts
Have everything in writing and avoid a blank contract. Any extra fees and mover’s estimates should be on there.
It should also have your pick-up and delivery date as well. Make sure that all of your items being moved are listed on the contract as well.
Avoid Guaranteed Quotes
The 3 types of quotes are binding estimates, non-binding estimates, and a non-binding to exceed estimate.
A non-binding to exceed estimate means that you won’t have to pay for any overages to the original estimate.
A binding estimate is a guaranteed price for the move including services and extras.
A non-binding estimate is where the company can’t require payment for more than 10% higher than the original estimate.
Insurance
Moving companies are required to have liability for the value of your goods.
There are 2 options, alternative level of liability, and full(replacement) value protection.
The alternative level of liability is where the mover takes liability for more than .60 per pound.
Damage claims are based on the pound weight of the article when you multiply it by .60.
Full Value Protection is the most comprehensive plan. This is where your items will be transported under their full level of liability.
If an item is damaged, lost, or destroyed while it’s with the mover, the mover will have to repair or replace it.
If they don’t do either of these, then they’ll have to pay the cost to replace it.
Payment
Find out how the mover will want to be paid whether that’s in cash, credit card, or personal check. Most movers will want you to pay them in cash. You’ll also need to pay for the tip as well.
Pack Wisely
Keep in mind that if you don’t pack yourself, some moving companies will pack for you at an extra fee. This can include packing supplies and boxes as well.
It’s a good idea to pack everything before movers arrive to save money.
Have everything packed before they arrive since the longer they have to wait, the more it’ll cost.
Have a Stress-Free Moving Day
After you hire movers and have them arrive, make sure that they place the items where you want them to go.
Don’t just let them dump the items. Also, make sure that the total is accurate and that you won’t get any hidden fees later on.
Exploring How To Hire Movers
Now that you’ve read how to hire movers, you should have a better idea of how to find the right one.
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