Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Moving

  • Strategies for Finding the Right Moving Company

    Choosing a moving company is not an easy task. There are numerous companies’ eager to earn your business, but they may not all be trustworthy. It is important that you conduct your due diligence before making a final decision about a moving company. After all, they are transporting your most treasured possessions, and you will want to have them arrive safely and without incident to your new home. Here are a few guidelines to follow when choosing a moving company.

    Ask Around

    Start your search by creating a list of recommended moving companies. If you have friends or family who has used a moving company recently in your area, request a recommendation. Talk to your neighbors and check out reviews found on the local site.

     

    Check Them Out

    Conduct an online search for a moving company on sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine if there have been any issues reported of the company. At American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), you can determine if a moving company is a member, which is a sign of quality moving company. They also provide helpful information such as free quotes, articles, and other resources. RipOff Report and Moving Scam’s offer reports about scams and complaints about moving companies to provide you with an understanding of their reputation.

     

    Call for an Estimate

    Once you narrow down your search to about three or four companies, call them for an estimate. They should come to your home and offer an estimate to determine some items you will need to be moved. The best type of estimate is a not-to-exceed estimate or a written binding estimate, which both cap how much you will pay for your move. Non-binding estimates are less desirable, as they almost always are more expensive once the work begins. Make sure to share with the estimator everything you plan to move, including items in the garage, in storage and the yard. Original estimates can be challenged if it appears you did not provide them all your items at the start of your discussion.

    Compare the Bids

    Make sure the bids from each company include all the same items. If a company provides an offer lower than the others, that may be a “red flag” that there are issues with the company. When there are several bids in the same price range, then you may consider it as an opportunity to negotiate a lower price.

     

    Check Licensure and Insurance

    While investigating a moving company, inquire if it’s properly licensed or insured. You can search for a company’s USDOT number on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s site known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  By locating this type of credible information, you are guaranteed that the commercial motor vehicle’s insurance status is positive. The company’s “Common” status should be stated as active with no application pending, and you should see a “yes” marked under “Household Goods.”

     

    Make Your Final Selection

    Once you complete your due diligence, you should be confident about selecting a moving company. Go ahead and sign the contract, and get ready for the big move to your new home!

  • Moving out-of-state? Relocation Tips to Help Your Move

    Moving out of state can be a monumental effort given the logistics involved in moving all the contents of your home. Despite the obvious stress involved in moving out-of-state, this can be an exciting experience as it is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Think of it as an adventure. Of course, even the best adventure requires some preparation, as does a move. To ensure that you have a smooth out of state move, consider the following tips:

    Moving Company – When it comes to moving your belongings, there is more than one option. You can choose a full service moving company, you can choose a hybrid moving company where you select the level of service you need, you can do it yourself. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to do your research on the moving company thoroughly in advance. Some companies have an established, national reputation; however, they are likely to be the more expensive option. Other moving companies may do just as good a job at lower rates. Your budget should definitely be factored in when making your final decision, but it is also important to work with someone who is both experienced and reliable. Check with the Better Business Bureau and/or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to make sure the moving company is licensed, insured, and accredited.

    Protecting Valuables – Although many moving companies offer guarantees and “in-house” insurance coverage, there are other ways in which you can protect your valuables as well. One way is to simply purchase a separate moving insurance policy. Your homeowner’s or renter’s protection policy may not offer moving protection or offer you the option to add moving insurance, so it is a good idea to check and see what coverage you have – you might need to purchase additional insurance for your move. Regardless of what type of insurance protection you choose, you should also take a few additional steps. Start by making a thorough list of your belongings that notes the item, the approximate value, and which room it belongs in. You can even go one step further by taking photographs of all rooms and close-ups of particularly valuable items.

    Transporting Vehicles – Again, you have more than one option. Driving the vehicle yourself is, of course, an option; however, not a very attractive one if you are moving across the country. If you chose to go the “do-it-yourself” route, then you can also rent a trailer to haul your vehicle along with your household belongings. This can add to the expense of the move and will not be practical if you own more than one vehicle. The easiest, though typically the more expensive option, is to use an auto transport company. The more flexible you can be with time, the lower your price will likely be. While schedules and procedures vary among companies, plan on at least 5-7 days for your vehicle to make it to your new location. As with moving companies, be sure to check the licensing and accreditation of a potential auto transport company.

    Relocation Services – if you simply do not have the time, or the inclination, to coordinate and oversee your interstate move, a relocation service may be your best bet. Relocation services essentially do everything for you from helping you find housing to arranging a mover. Often, large companies offer relocation services to employees who have been transferred to a new office. There are also numerous private relocation services that will handle all the details of your move for you for a fee.
    These tips should help you limit the stress involved in your out-of-state move so that you can focus more on the adventure of moving to a new place!

  • Which Type of Moving Service is Right for Your Move?

    If you are planning a move in the near future, one of the first decisions you must make is which type of moving service you plan to use. Moving companies come in three basic varieties – full service, “do-it-yourself”, and hybrid “partial” service movers. Along with the three basic options, there are also specialized moving companies that offer services for unique or difficult moving scenarios. Understanding your options will help you decide which type of service best suites your needs.

    Full Service Moving Companies

    As the name implies, a full service moving company handles your move from start to finish. They will typically pack your belongings at your current home, load them onto the truck, transport them to your new location, unload them, and unpack them. In addition, they may inventory and insure your belongings against damage, theft, or other unforeseen losses. Not surprisingly, this option is also likely to be the most expensive but also the least stressful and usually the most secure method for moving your belongings. Because these movers are professionals, there is less chance that something will be damaged. In addition, you can usually count on your belongings being at your new home on the date promised.

    “Do-It-Yourself” Moving Companies

    At the other end of the spectrum is the “do-it-yourself” option. With this option, you rent a truck and handle all of the details yourself. You will need to pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack your belongings. Although the rental company may offer insurance, you should check into purchasing a separate policy as it may be less expensive and offer better coverage. Although you will have the additional expense of purchasing gas and insurance, this option is usually significantly less expensive than a full service moving company. The downside of not working with professionals though is that there is a higher likelihood of damage to belongings and an increased chance of a delay that causes your belongings to be late arriving at your new home.

    Hybrid Moving Companies

    In between the two extremes are a number of “partial” services moving companies that are gaining in popularity. Typically, with this option you will handle the packing and unpacking of your belongings. You may also be required to load and unload the truck or container. Frequently, the moving company is only responsible for the actual transport of your belongings. A popular twist on this option involves the moving company dropping a container at your home which allows you all the time you need to fill it before it is picked up for storage or transport. The cost of this option is usually less than a full-service moving company but more than a “do-it-yourself” option.

    For more unique moving needs, you can even find a moving company that will move your entire home – literally. Structural moving companies will pick up your home and move it to a new location. You may also need to look into air transport or freight trains if you need to move an unusual or unique item. For an international move, you will likely need to check into shipping your belongings via ship which often requires you to pay hefty import taxes and tariffs in the new country.

    Finally, if you have the option to rely on a relocation service through your employer, consider doing so. Relocation services handle all of the details of your move for you from finding you new housing to moving your belongings from point A to Point B. If your employer does not offer relocation services, there are private companies that will perform the service for you for a fee.

  • Moving to a New Home in the Summer!

    The summer season is often when people’s thoughts turn to moving. For families with kids, the summer is a great time to transition into a new home, especially if you’re relocating to a new school district.  If you are planning a summer move, here are some tips specific for the season.

    Beat the Heat and Start the Day Early  

    When moving to a new home in the summer, the earlier you can start, the easier it will be for your helpers. Because it is difficult to work under the heat of the sun, you want to complete as much of the move as possible in the morning. While there are many factors that will dictate how early you can start, the earlier the better because the day will get progressively hotter as you go.

    Set up Your Utilities Before the Move

    It’s always a good idea to set up your utilities before moving into a new home, but in the summer, this is even more important. You and your moving crew will appreciate the comforts of your air conditioner when it comes time to unload all your boxes and large furniture pieces. If you plan on arriving at your new home later in the afternoon, consider heading to your new home early to set  the air conditioner so that it can be can be nice and cool when you arrive. In addition, for those who are moving to a single family house, you want to make sure to start your water service before your move in date. Not only will you will need to keep everyone hydrated, you will also want running water if anyone needs to use the restroom during the move. What’s more, imagine not being able to take a cool shower after a long, sweaty day of moving!

    Keep Your Help Hydrated

    If the temperatures are very high on your moving day, consider preparing a box of bottled water and some ice to keep your movers hydrated. Even if you have the air conditioning blasting in your new home, it will still be warm outside, and moving is by no means an easy task. Your movers will be doing manual labor, so you want to give them something to drink to keep everyone healthy and in good physical shape.

    Plan for the Kids

    If you have kids, you will need to make plans for them during the move. Since it’s summer break, you won’t be able to send them to school, so you’ll need a babysitter for kids who are too young to provide any real help during the move. To avoid an expense (and to have the comfort of knowing that your kids will be with someone you trust), consider reaching out to your close friends or family who are parents themselves. You can even set up a play date with your children’s friends and their parents so that they can have some fun, and you can have peace of mind.

    If you have no option for outside childcare, set up a room in your home to serve as the playroom on moving day. Keep the kids in one room and provide a small TV with some new DVDs or some toys that you can unpack first. This is not the ideal situation, but it may help prevent having kids underfoot and in danger. Here are some more tips for moving with young children.

    Keep Your Pets Cool

    Like your kids, your pets are going to be need some special attention on the move in day, especially during the summer. On a hot summer day you probably don’t want to leave them in the yard all day, plus one of your helpers might leave the gate open while moving in your furniture. Since your pet will not recognize your new house as its home, this is a recipe for a runaway. Most veterinary clinics offer temporary kenneling you can use for your pet for the day. A doggy daycare is another excellent option to consider.

    Moving in the summer can be convenient, but it requires a little bit of extra planning. Keep these moving tips and advice in mind if you are moving to a new home this summer.