Long Distance Movers and Packers
As you begin interviewing moving companies, there are a number of points to cover before you retain the services of any one mover.
For instance, talk about insurance with each of the moving companies you interview. Each companies has to carry cargo insurance, so there is some coverage, but see if your homeowners insurance will cover movers and packers handling your belongings. If you're hiring long distance movers, they need to have appropriate insurance for crossing state lines. They should also be bonded to cover accidents during the handling of your things during the moving and storage service.
If a moving company doesn't deem it necessary to visit your home before issuing moving quotes, choose another mover. Nothing can be as accurate as an in home moving quote. The movers and packers need to see exactly what kind of furniture and accessories you have.
When you're discussing your moving and storage needs with the company, it's important to include very specific details. For instance, if the movers get there and realize you have a water bed that must be drained before moving and storage, it will throw their schedule off and create a problem for you and the company. You'll experience the same problem if the movers and packers get to your house and find out that they need a piano mover. Look at your valuables, too, because home movers are trained in the best techniques to preserve breakables and collectibles so that the movers and packers won't break them.
Don't let any movers and packers touch your things until you have a signed contract in your hand. If you don't have an agreement in writing, the company is not responsible for it. You should have written moving quotes from the movers, outlining every service they will provide, from moving and packing to moving and storage. You don't want any nasty surprises when it's time to pay your mover, and find out that the moving company charged extra for that vintage sofa.
Just remember, no reputable moving company will give you moving quotes without an onsite survey. Local movers will need to see each item of furniture so they can estimate the weight and bulk for the home movers to lift and carry. Long distance movers will need to do the same, and add the fact that moving and storage may cross state lines.
While local movers may charge by the hour, long distance movers will charge by the pound. So, it's a good idea before hiring a moving company to clean out anything you don't necessarily want movers and packers to bother with. Have a garage sale before your home movers show up, so that you're not paying a mover to carry something you'll just throw away once you're at your new home.
The movers and packers will actually pack your belonging for you, if you purchase the service from the moving company. This kind of door to door service is great, especially if the moving quotes are within your budget.
