10 Best Tips For Hiring a Professional Mover
Tips For Hiring a Professional Mover
Are you considering hiring a professional mover? Follow these ten great tips when hiring a professional moving company!
Moving is an overwhelming endeavor that can lead to stress and exhaustion. Whether you are moving across town to an up-and-coming neighborhood or a new state, finding a reliable moving company can make this monumental process easier for all involved.
From cleaning to packing and making sure that everything gets done on your moving checklist, it is no wonder that moving is a major life stressor. If you are moving with kids, frequent moves can even lead to them having problems at school since they are forced to uproot their lives and leave behind their friends.
With the help of a professional mover, all of the stress of having to pack and transport all of your belongings to your new home no longer falls on your shoulders, leaving you to deal with all the other important things that your move will require.
Moving is hard enough as it is, but how do you find a moving company that will fit your moving needs and budget? With this professional mover guide, learn ten great tips that will help you hire experienced and professional movers in no time, especially if you are moving out of state.
Here is what you need to know when hiring a professional mover
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1. Ask Friends and Family For Referrals
One of the best ways to find a reliable and reputable moving service is to ask for referrals from friends and family. There are many professional moving companies out there, but it can be hard to find one that meets your expectations and moving needs.
Deciding to work with a company that has already helped your friends or family in the past can help relieve some of the stress of trying to find one. Knowing that someone close to you worked with a company and had a good experience with them will ensure that you work with good movers that you can trust.
If you know someone who just moved or is also in the process of moving, ask them who they used and if they would recommend them. Openly asking for referrals could also give you insight into moving companies you should avoid.
2. Understand Your Moving Needs
Every move is different, so finding a moving company that can meet your needs is one of the most important steps in the moving process. Many companies specialize in different types of moves, so choosing one that will serve you the best will lead to an overall good experience.
The first thing to consider is how far you are moving. If you are moving cross-country, you will probably want to find a moving company that specializes in long-distance moves rather than local ones.
How much are you moving? Do you have a lot of valuable and delicate items? Do you need help with packing or just with transportation? Once you have established your moving needs, you can search for companies that will be a good match.
3. Get Multiple Estimates
If you are moving on a tight budget or simply want to save money, getting multiple estimates from at least three professional moving companies will ensure you get the best deal. Not only is getting multiple estimates one of the best ways to save money on moving costs, but it is also one of the first things to do before negotiating.
Many people might not know that once you have received estimates from at least three moving companies, it is completly okay to negotiate and ask for a deal.
Much like negotiating on a home, choose your favorite moving company based on your received estimates and ask them if they can offer you a better price. Most of the time, companies will have no problem offering discounts and promotions for those who ask.
While negotiating for a better deal might seem intimidating, you will never know if you do not ask. If one company is unwilling to negotiate with you, then another one out there will.
4. Do Your Research
Whether or not you have received referrals, doing your research before moving forward with a professional mover is still a good idea. Never settle for the first moving company that you see or hear about.
Conducting thorough research will ensure that you choose a company with the necessary experience and qualifications to assist with your move. Much like picking a restaurant for dinner or a hotel to stay at, always check customer reviews and what services they offer customers.
Always make sure that a professional moving company is properly licensed and insured. Unfortunately, there are moving companies out there who like to scam customers, and you want to do your best as a homeowner to avoid those.
5. Ask About Added Fees
Before hiring a professional mover, make sure to read the fine print. Moving can be expensive, and one of the last things you want to happen is being caught off guard by hidden fees.
When asking for an estimate, moving companies will provide a list of services and any additional fees, so it is important to read through it and understand what they are charging for.
Some common hidden fees that professional movers might charge include packing supplies, fuel, parking, disassembling and reassembling furniture, moving bulky items, and walking up and down the stairs.
6. Inquire About Packing Services
Once you have made your moving checklist, packing should be one of the top things on your list. Most moving companies offer additional packing services in addition to transporting your belongings.
Packing is often an overwhelming task that can add to the overall stress of the move, which is why many people inquire about packing services offered by the moving company they choose.
Not only is utilizing packing services one of the best packing tips for an efficient move, but it will let you off the hook from having to purchase packing supplies personally, find strategic ways to pack your belongings, and be careful with fragile items.
While packing services will cost you more, it might make the most sense for you if you value your time and sanity, especially if you have many items to pack. Be prepared to pay an additional $700 for full-service packing and unpacking.
7. Discuss Moving Insurance
Moving insurance is an insurance policy that will provide coverage for your personal belongings in case of losses or damage during a move. Since moving puts your belongings at risk, having full-protection moving insurance is not only smart but could save you lots of money.
Homeowners and rental insurance companies do not provide coverage for your belongings in case of damage, which is why you should consider getting additional moving insurance.
Moving insurance can be purchased through the moving company or through a third party, but what they sell is technically called valuation coverage, which ensures compensation from the mover in case of damage or loss of your property.
Released value protection is a basic plan that is at no additional charge and is required to be offered by law, although coverage is minimal. On the other hand, full value protection is responsible for the total replacement value of all items damaged or lost during the move.
No matter what plan you choose, moving insurance is essential to ensure the protection of your belongings and is often the most economical option.
8. Do Not Hesitate to Ask Questions
Find out if a moving company is the right fit for you and your moving needs by asking questions. Much like a buyer or seller would ask their real estate agent questions, finding out all you need to know about a mover and their services is one of the best tips for hiring a professional mover.
Do they have references? Is the company licensed and insured? What is their cancellation policy? Do they offer binding estimates? Will they provide all of the equipment? These are the types of important questions that you should be asking.
Do not hesitate to ask questions about the contract either before signing it. Make sure that you confidently know what services they will be providing, how much things are going to cost, and what extra services are available.
9. Move in the Winter
Professional movers provide an amazing service during a very stressful life event. Still, homeowners can expect to pay between $882 and $2,572 for a local move and between $2,462 and $6,874 for a long-distance move.
If you are looking to save money but still get the help of a professional moving company, consider moving during the off-peak season. Most Americans decide to move between mid-May and mid-September due to favorable weather conditions, and more people can take off work.
In order to have a budget-friendly move, consider moving during the winter to take advantage of lower prices since moving companies are not as busy during this time. You will also get more options regarding moving companies and dates since not many other people are moving.
Remember that if you sell your house during the winter and decide to move at this time, there will be fewer daylight hours to work with and a higher chance of experiencing unsafe weather conditions such as snow and ice.
10. Make Sure Mover Knows What to Move
Once you have decided on a moving company and reviewed the written contract, make sure the mover knows what they will be moving. The price will go up if anything extra is added to the shipment that is not initially included in the estimate.
A mover needs to be aware ahead of time of what they are expected to take care of before even entering the home. They need to know if they will be providing packing services, what furniture they will be moving, and if there are any particularly bulky or valuable items.
Methodology
We used data and information from multiple sources, including Nerd Wallet, Forbes, USA Today, and Architectural Digest, to determine the best tips for hiring a professional mover for your next move.
FAQs
How do you prepare for a professional mover?
The best way to prepare for a professional mover is to declutter your house, clean every room, set aside all valuable items, disconnect all appliances, and have a packing plan.
Should I tip professional movers?
Tipping movers is not required, but it is a good rule of thumb to tip movers by 20% of the total moving cost. Movers work extremely hard for their tips, so it is recommended to tip $5 to $10 per person per hour.
What should I do while the movers are working?
While the movers are working, the best thing to do is to give clear directions, offer refreshments, ask if they need anything, and stay out of the way.
Why is hiring movers so expensive?
Hiring movers is expensive because you pay for physical labor, their skills, and the professional equipment that is brought in to complete the move. Plus, the further you move, the more expensive it becomes.
Tips For Hiring a Professional Mover - Final Thoughts
No matter how far your move is or how many belongings you need transported, hiring professional movers can make a big difference during the moving process.
By following the above tips for hiring a professional mover, you will be able to find a company that can ease the stress of a move and provide top-notch service.
If you are moving to Raleigh and are ready to find your dream home, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and are ready to answer any questions.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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