Archive

Posts Tagged ‘moving company’

How to Choose a Reputable Moving Company For Your Next Move

February 5th, 2010 Stephen Daniels No comments

Moving to a new home is a major effort, requiring lots of time and organization. You may decide to hire a professional moving company to make the process easier. If so, it’s a good idea to carefully consider some things before you hire the first company you see in the phone book. The following tips will help you locate a moving company that is priced reasonably and reputable.

Your first task is to ask friends, business associates and family to recommend (or warn you away from) a company they have utilized in the past. Once you have some names, it’s time for you to do some research of your own. Take a look at any consumer review websites, such as Yelp.com, and of course, check with the Better Business Bureau. The reviews can help you narrow down your field of choices.

You should consider some questions prior to calling any of these companies for a quote. Firstly, will you have the moving company move everything? Sometimes people hire these companies just to move large, heavy items like pianos. Also, do you intend to do all your own packing, or were you planning on having the movers handle all or part of that job for you?

Regardless of whether you do the packing, the movers do the packing or a combination of the two, your valuables are usually partially protected by liability insurance (typically .60 per pound) by the moving company. If you want everything fully insured, be sure to talk with the movers about any additional costs that will apply for full replacement value of anything that is broken. Also, be sure to inquire about restrictions or limitations that apply to the insurance. Insurance upgrades are often offered by the moving company, but may apply only to items the movers pack for you, or you may have the option to specify which items you want covered with the extra insurance. Some people purchase third-party insurance coverage from their own insurance agent.

To get the best comparison, it is recommended that you request estimates from three different companies. You’ll want to make sure, however, that each company goes about the same method to produce their quote. For instance, if two estimates are from movers who come to inspect your belongings, while the third quotes you over the phone, these are NOT like estimates and should not be compared to each other. If one estimate is considerably lower than the other two, you’ll want to look into the bonds and insurance protection these movers are carrying. The company, not you, should take responsibility for potential injury of the movers. Make certain that all estimates include driving time, gas, mileage, lunch breaks, container size, extra costs for wrapping furniture, renting furniture pads, boxes for your wardrobe, etc. You don’t want to be surprised with extra fees when you get the bill.

One potentially money saving tip is to ask if scheduling your move on a weekday is any less expensive than doing it over the weekend, as some movers charge more for weekend jobs. Be wary of companies that have no physical address, or that take only cash for the move. Nearly all businesses should accept credit cards in this day and age.

You’ll want to hire a local company for moves in the same area or state. Cross country moves have additional regulations and charges that apply. Interstate or international moves should be managed by experts in that field.

The moving business is a competitive one, and this means that most companies will be fairly priced and offer reasonably good service. However, it pays to check into companies further and make sure that the company you are entrusting with your household will give it the care and respect it deserves.

Moving in the Chicago area? Call on Checkmate Movers. They offer a full range of moving services with a low minimum charge, simple hourly rates and no hidden fees. Their experienced, capable movers work safely and efficiently. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services

Using Professional Movers To Make The Moving Process Easier

December 8th, 2009 Sam Davis No comments

For most people the thought of moving fills them with dread. Even if they are excited about the place they are moving to, the moving process is often confusing and takes an inordinate amount of time. However, professional movers can make the process seem much easier. It doesn’t matter if the move is a short distance or long distance, hiring a professional moving service can make the transition easier.

There are varying levels of assistance that are provided by moving services. Some companies offer to come in to a client’s home and pack up their belongings for them and then transfer them to the new place. Upon arrival, they will place the furniture inside the new residence under the direction of the client. The boxes and other possessions will also be unpacked according to the customer’s needs.

Some people use professional movers to pack their belongings for them, others are not comfortable with that and want to do it themselves. Many moving companies will provide their customers with boxes and other materials like labeling tape and moving blankets. The customers will then use those materials to pack up their belongings themselves.

Fragile items are another consideration that people often wonder about in a move. Some people hire moving services to just take care of certain items like glassware or items that are expensive, like artwork. Movers are trained to professional pack and transfer fragile items to make sure they are not broken or damaged during a move.

As people are looking into moving companies, it is important to keep a few things in mind. First of all, price is an important consideration. How does the company determine fees? It is always a good idea to get an upfront quote from the movers based on your needs. Make sure to read the fine print of the quote so that there are no hidden fees that will raise the price.

Prices of moving companies can be based on a few different criteria. It can depend on how much is being moved (how many rooms), the distance of the move (is it local or long distance) and if the moving company will be doing the packing or not. Consulting a few different companies in order to get the fairest price and the best services is always a good idea.

Movers are often licensed and insured. They are trained to pack, carry and carefully transfer belongings from one place to the next. Hiring a moving service can keep some of the stress out of the moving process, whether the move is a short distance or hundreds of miles away.

This article is brought to you by Maximum Movers. For professionally trained moving service in Cincinnati, visit our Cincinnati Movers website.