Moving and Storage Q & A

 Finding a Reputable Mover

This list is complied for a quick review of some of the best tips to help your move go as smoothly as possible.

How do I find a reputable mover?

Ask family and friends. The Internet is also a good resource as you can get a lot of information on the company through their website. Be sure to check out their reputation at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Some questions to ask before you hire:

Full company name and any DBA names (doing business as)

How long they have been in the moving business

DOT and MC license numbers

Company address

Phone numbers (local and toll-free)

Company web site address

Email addresses

References (be sure to call them)

If something does not feel right, move on, no pun intended! How far in advance should I hire movers?

It is best to plan a move 5-6 months ahead of time, especially if it is an international or overseas move. If you have less time, you can still find good movers but will have to move quickly. It is important to note that whether you have 2 or 6 months, be sure to do some research on the movers you hire.

Should I move my items or hire professional movers

Finding a Reputable Mover?

The main two things to consider when deciding to move your own items or to hire movers will be your budget and your ability to move the items yourself. Other considerations include how much time you have to pack and load your items and which is more economically practical.

What is the short and long term storage?

Movable pods. This type of storage offers the convenience of storing items at your own pace. They also will pick up the pod (storage container) and store it at their storage facility. You can then ask to transfer it to your new home or location.

Storage facilities. This is the most common and easy to find. These companies offer a variety of sizes to store your items in. They have everything from a closet space size to a warehouse.

Moving companies. Some moving companies will offer temporary storage after they have picked up your personal items. Typically this type of storage is very temporary due to limited storage available and the high costs involved.

The main difference between short and long-term storage is the length of time you choose to store your items. Some storage companies will offer a discount for long-term storage.

How many supplies do I need to pack my items?

One of the first things you need to decide is what you will pack. A good idea is to sort things in three piles:

Keep

Donate

Throw away

Once you have that part figured out then you can get:

Boxes (variety of shapes and sizes)

Packing

Carpet protection

Furniture sliders

Blankets

Make sure you get more supplies than you think you need. That way you will not have to run out in the middle of packing!

What are sub-contractors?

Many moving companies will represent themselves as your movers but then send a sub-contractor out on moving day. The problem with this is that you have not met with the sub-contractors and they may not have been processed through a pre-employment background and drug screening.

Be sure that you get information on the sub-contractors prior to your move so you can check out their background on the Internet and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Some questions to ask the moving company:

The name and number of the subcontractor to be used.

Is the subcontractor insured?

Does the subcontractor conduct pre-employment background and drug screens?

These questions are important as the sub-contractor will be in your home and they will be the ones you have to deal with when they are moving your items.

Should I get extra insurance while moving?

One of the most upsetting experiences in moving is having an item get broken or end up lost. Extra insurance may be a good idea especially if you have expensive or irreplaceable items. Regular insurance provided by most moving companies pay pennies per the pound. Unless your contract reads otherwise, this means that any items lost or broken will be paid per the pound and not based on their actual value.