The process of moving can be exhausting and stressful when done by one person all alone. So, it is always better to choose reputed local movers and packers that can help move your possessions safely and correctly pack them to take them to the new location. In addition, professional moving service teams can help make the entire process of packing, moving, and unpacking more accessible, faster, and less stressful. Also, they assist when it comes to storing, disassembling, and reassembling furniture. Although there are no specific guidelines for hiring local movers, the advice provided below should be helpful in what points should be looked at while hiring expert local movers.
Helpful Tips for Hiring Local Movers
Compared to a cross-country move, a local move is considerably less expensive and can be completed faster if the correct choices are made. However, before zeroing down on the packing and moving company, hiring best local movers with the proper license is reputed and does not have steep charges for moving your boxes from point A to point B is necessary. Here are the best tips to ensure that you hire the best local movers from the best moving company.
- Moving Inventory
The moving company begins its packing services by first creating a list of items to be sorted and packed into boxes. Once the list of things is made and they have been sorted and packed. Then, with a virtual or in-person survey, the estimator can know the weight and items are placed in each box. The estimator should also ensure that all the storage areas like cupboards, lofts, drawers are cleared. A large portion of the best local mover's charges is based on the weight of the boxes and the space they occupy.
- A Proper Walk-Through
A discussion with the estimator will help you understand the entire moving process and ask the appropriate questions that will help plan the specific necessary items that will be transported to the new home. So it is vital that you also make a good list of things that will be packed for the new house and the things you will either sell, donate or give away or leave behind for the house's new owners.
- Don't Pay a Large Deposit
It is common among reputed packing and moving companies that they will never ask for a large amount of money as a deposit before moving. Also, it is crucial for you to always pay after the entire moving process has been completed. Paying in advance can be risky as you will not know the expected delivery date of your possessions, and they may remain undelivered. However, if you pay beforehand, it is better to do it with a credit card to minimize fraudulent activity.
- Avoid Moving Companies with a Name Switch
Remember to check the address and name of the local movers you plan to choose for your moving requirements. Such a process is necessary since many companies create different names to avoid detection by the Better Business Bureau. In addition, employees working in the moving company should answer official calls with the company's full name and make sure to look up their state and federal license numbers. Finally, it is a good idea to search the business's name for any complaints and look up its history at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Ask Friends and Family About The Moving Company
Before even zeroing down on the local mover you have selected, ask friends and family about reliable movers or get a list of authentic movers from associations like the American Moving and Storage Association and state associations of movers. It will also be helpful to speak with different movers to get proper references and a list of three customers who moved out or into the area within the past three months. Get in touch with them and ask questions related to their experiences while moving.
- Do away with Packing Costs and Extra Fees
Packing your possessions by yourself is a good idea to reduce the cost of boxes that the moving company will provide. Otherwise, the local movers can charge extra for the boxes and packing materials, increasing the total amount you need to pay the moving company. A significant number of the movers are usually relatively careful when placing the boxes into the moving van. However, some cheap local movers might throw boxes with no regard for breakage and cause extra expenditure on your part. Also, remember to ask the local packers and movers about any surcharges they might add while moving through smaller or confined areas on the street or coming down from a higher floor.
- Always be Cautious About "guaranteed" Pricing
As a customer, it is also better to read through each line of the contract provided by the moving company. Reading through the agreement will help you avoid any hidden clauses or missing items from your possessions and any estimates and extra fees that might not be mentioned previously. Moving companies usually include guaranteed pricing, which is visible in the following three types:
- A non-binding estimate
- A non-binding to exceed the estimate
- A binding estimate
- Make Sure to Note Down and Report Any Problems Encountered
When getting a local moving company to move your possession in the case of a local move, there is usually a limited period of time in which you can report any problems you might have encountered to the moving company and file an insurance claim. Then, on the day of the move, or soon after go through all the boxes and check for any damages. Take notes as well as photos of the damages caused by the local mover and reach out to the moving company as soon as possible to file the claim. There are typically 30 days for the mover to acknowledge that they have received the claim. Then, within 120 days, they have to either deny the claim or make an offer to pay.
- Moving Insurance and Valuation Protection
Each moving company has to take responsibility for the value of the goods they will be transporting. There are two different types of liabilities that are given to the goods being transported. It is necessary to know about the charges shown and the protection provided according to each level as a customer. The levels of the protection supplied are as follows:
- Full Value Protection means that the local mover provides complete protection of all your goods. For example, if possessions are lost, destroyed, or damaged while in the mover's custody, either step must be taken.
- Repair the article to the extent necessary to repair and restore it to the previous condition.
- Pay the cost or replace the article with one of the same type and quality.
- Release value protection which is the alternative level of liability, is more economical since it provides a minimal level of protection. Loss or damage costs depend on the weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents. With no extra charges, this is a viable option. If you do not choose Full value protection, your move will automatically be assigned Release value protection which may not cover your items as much as you would like in the event of damage.
Conclusion:
With world-class services and the highest level of professionalism, several highly professional local movers can help you in the process of moving from one place to the other while making sure all your possessions are safely moved. The guidelines mentioned above are a great way to ensure that all of your possessions and boxes are safely transported, and you can move into your new home happily.
