Moving Companies

© 2001 Linda Alexander

Per client specification and as originally published by:
Articleinsider.com

Moving companies offer an array of services to help you relocate from one residence to another. Depending on how far you are moving and how much stuff you need to bring, you might elect to use some or all of these services. You can pack, rent a truck, load, unload and pack all by yourself. Or, you can hire a moving company to provide any or all of those services.

When selecting a moving company, there are several important features to keep in mind. Make sure the company is licensed and insured. Just in case anything gets damaged during the move, the moving company should accept responsibility. While it might be more affordable to hire "two movers and a truck," it's not always the safest way for your belongings.

You should also verify the dates of your move and make sure the movers are available that day. If you are moving long distance, how long will it be before your belongings will be delivered to your new residence? Usually, local moves can be completed in one day.

Relocation Specialists

If your job is requiring you to relocate, you might be lucky enough to have the move handled for you. A relocation specialist will visit your home to take an inventory of your household goods. He or she will then decide what size truck to use and how many boxes to bring. Then the movers will pack, load the truck, move your stuff, store it if necessary, and unload it and unpack it at your new residence. All you need to do is be there to sign the papers.

Some moving companies also rent trucks to people who like to do it themselves. That is not the only way you can save money. Often, if you pack the boxes yourself, your move will cost a lot less than if the movers pack for you. Then you just pay for the loading, hauling, and unloading. You'll also pay for storage if your new place isn't ready when you move out of your old place.

A good source for finding movers is your personal network. Friends, relatives, and neighbors might know of reputable movers in your area. You can also look online for a relocation service. There, you can get quotes from different movers and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

Organize, Organize, Organize

The most important thing to keep in mind when moving is to stay organized. This does not have to be a stressful time in your life. Look forward to a new chapter and a new location, perhaps even a whole new life. When you plan well and keep track ahead of time, your move will go a lot smoother.

Checklists are expedient in the moving process. Use them to plan the timing of your move, what to pack and where it is packed, what you will take with you and what goes on the truck, and so on. You'll find that the more you plan ahead and prepare yourself for the unexpected, the more fun your move will be.

Locating Auto Shippers

When planning a cross country move, having your vehicle transported is an important consideration. You might like to rent a more comfortable vehicle to drive yourself over the long distance. Or, you might need more room to take the pets and the kids with you, so you'd take your bigger car and transport the other one.

When you choose to have a moving company transport your auto, it's one less detail that you have to worry about. Professional movers that are licensed and insured will take care of your car as if it were their own. There is so much else to worry about when you move, such as packing, buying new furniture, or buying a new house--that your car is something you can check off your list and continue planning.

A relocation company can help you find auto transporters. They will put you in touch with dependable companies and get price quotes from different companies. Then you can review the quotes, learn about the movers, and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

You are most likely emotionally attached to your vehicle; so many people are. You want to care for it by not driving an excessive amount of miles and wearing it down. Choosing to have it moved along with your other household goods is a wise decision and one that will allow you to rest easy during the moving process.

Familiarity with a New Location

Business relocation can be even more stressful than switching your place of residence. You must coordinate the rooms of your employees, plan for telecom relocation, and oversee all the packing and shipping requirements of your office furniture and supplies. At the same time, you have to keep your business running so your company does not lose money during the move.

Fortunately, there is help available. Relocation services can help you coordinate your office move from start to finish. You can get quotes on moving services or hire a consultant to act as project manager. If you are concerned about setting up your technology in the new location, such as the telephone system, computer networks, fax machines and copiers, you can hire a consultant for this as well.

It is best to become as familiar with the new location as possible before moving. Measure all of the rooms and decide in advance the general placement of office furniture and plants. For example, let the movers know that your sofa belongs in the reception area, while employee X's office furniture belongs in the new office labeled "A."

The less time your move takes, the less money you will lose from lack of productivity. If you can keep your business closed for a minimum of time while you move, it will be smoother. Some offices like to take their time and move one department at a time, in order to keep operations running. However, this can complicate things unless you have a solid and detailed plan.

Do It Yourself Movers

When you change residences, whether it's across town or across the world, you might need the assistance of professional moving companies. There are different kinds of moving companies and a few things to know before hiring them. First, decide on what type of help you need. Then you can find the appropriate company to help you.

Do it yourself movers are just that. You do everything yourself, from packing boxes to loading the truck to driving it to your new location. If you need storage in between, you will have to find that yourself, too. Many people take advantage of this option because it saves money. If you already have enough helpers and want more control over your belongings, do it yourself from start to finish.

Full service movers do everything for you. They handle packing, loading, and driving the truck, storage solutions if you need them, and unloading the truck at your new residence. Some will even help you unpack your stuff. You will save an enormous amount of time and this is a less stressful option, but it's also the most costly of the three.

A third type of mover is the self-service mover. This type of relocation service is a cross between the other two. With a self-service mover, you will do all the packing and loading of the truck, and the moving company will handle the transportation. If you have a small or medium move between states, this is a nice compromise. You will have control over packing your belongings, while allowing professionals to drive.

Access to Storage Units

Are you running out of closet space, attic space, or garage space? Are the storage areas in your home overflowing with your possessions? If you have cleaned out all the junk and just do not have room for your belongings, perhaps it is time to move some items into storage. Storage units come in many sizes, depending on how much room you need to rent. Some units are even climate controlled.

The beauty of self storage is that you provide your own lock, so nobody has access to the storage units except for you. Anytime the facility is open, you can come and go as you please. There is no danger of you not being able to access your belongings. For a low monthly fee, you can extend your closet space by however much extra space you need.

Some people use storage facilities to store their out of season clothes and household appliances, like air conditioners or space heaters. If you plan to be away for a long time, there are even storage units where you can keep your vehicle. Mostly, people use storage when they are in between residences.

Moving companies very often provide storage services for their customers. They will either keep your goods in a storage facility, or store them on the moving truck if the time frame is shorter. If you are between homes and won't be at your new residence for a while, check into self storage as a possibility. You will pay more for the service, yet you won't have to worry about what to do with your possessions while you are on vacation or looking for a new home.

Binding Estimates

There are three types of quotes that you could receive from a moving company. You should be aware of these and compare "apples to apples" when you are looking at competitive bids between several movers. Doing so will allow you to evaluate your quotes accurately to avoid being scammed.

Some quotes are binding, while others are non-binding. A "binding, not to exceed" estimate means that even if your belongings weigh much more than estimated, you will still pay only for the amount quoted. If they weigh less than estimated, you pay for exactly what they weigh--less than the estimate. The estimate can get lower, but it cannot exceed the amount originally quoted.

Another type of moving quote that is common is the binding estimate. This means that you agree to pay a fixed amount, regardless of the actual weight of your goods. This is fair for the movers and for you. The only drawback is when people are not honest: The mover could estimate high, or the consumer could add extra items in that weren't included at the time of the estimate.

The third type of quote is a non-binding quote, where you agree to pay for the actual weight of your items. You will agree ahead of time on a price per pound. The bill you pay could be high or low depending on the actual weight. If the moving company goes over the estimate, by law the mover can collect up to ten percent extra on top of the amount of the original estimate, on the day of the move. They must then deliver your goods. You have 30 days to pay the remainder.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]