Moving Company Tips

If you are planning to move, have the budget and don't want to do it yourself then you can always get a moving company to do it for you. There are many moving companies available and choosing the right moving company for you can be quite difficult. We hope you can use this resource to assist you in finding the right moving company for your particular wants and needs.

Write down all appropriate information

Always write down your shipment or tracking number, as well as the moving companies phone number and keep it with you throughout the move. You never know when you may have to call to find out progress.

Shop around

Never rely on the first moving company you find. It is important to shop around and get quotes from multiple moving companies.

Get in house quote

It is important to ask the moving companies you are getting to quote, to come to your house to look at what they have to move before they prepare their quote. Too many times a quote is given over the phone and when it comes time for the actual move then the pricing changes. If a moving company won't come out to your place to quote, then don't use them.

Watch out for scams

There are many unscrupulous moving companies out there. These companies take your details and the basic information regarding your move over the phone or via the internet. Then they sub-contract out your job to the cheapest movers possible. When these movers arrive at your premises and have loaded much of your goods, the quote you were given then jumps up considerably. Double or triple your original quote is common. They rely on people perceiving they have little other choice once the truck is already mostly loaded. Other than massively inflated costs, it is also common that these companies take much longer than they originally say they are going to when you are moving longer distances.

If you follow our moving company tips then you should be able to avoid these scams. If you have any queries please ask any question in our Moving Discussion Forum.

Get quotes by weight not volume

You should always get the moving company to quote for the weight of your items to move and not the volume. This is because most of the above mentioned scammers quote by volume such a cubic footage as it is a measure that most people don't know how to accurately measure themselves. In the U.S.A. moving companies are obliged to provide you with proof of weight of your items at no extra cost to you and interstate moves based on cubic feet volume is now illegal.

Watch out for hidden costs

Do your research to avoid being hit with hidden costs at the time of your move. Sometimes extra charges can be applied by moving companies for things such as transportation surcharge for extra labor costs than other areas, charges for extra heavy items such as pianos or ride-on lawn mowers, or extra charges can also be incurred if the movers have to walk a long distance from you house to the truck. Reputable companies will be upfront with all of the possible charges, but it is worth asking about all possible charges before the move day.

See the contract up front

Always read the contract up front before the moving day. Read the small print. Know what you are agreeing to.

Packing for the move

When using a moving company you can choose to pack your items yourself or pay to get the moving company to do it for you. Whether packing yourself or letting somebody else do it, please read our packing tips to know what to do. Or if you get the moving company to pack for you, then these packing tips will help you know what to watch for when the moving company is packing for you.

Get the essentials ready

Whether you are doing the packing yourself or you are getting somebody to do the packing for you, it is important to make sure you pack the essentials for your first night in a box or boxes that are clearly marked and will be easy to find at the other end. Essential items for your first night are, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, plates, cups and essential food items. You may have other essential items so please take some time to think about this before leaving.

Remember the fridge

Always clean out and let the fridge dry out before moving. It is also a good idea to put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside the fridge before moving. This will make your fridge smell nice and fresh when you get to the other end. When moving a fridge it is best not to have it on it's side and to make sure it is standing up right. If it has to be moved on it;s side then, the suction line from the motor (the larger tube) must be on the high side of the smaller tube (furtherest from the floor). A good movine company will always know this. But it is good information to know just in case.

Make sure you exchange phone numbers with the driver of the moving van or truck

It is important to exchange phone numbers with the driver, in case there are delays from either your end or theirs.

Make sure you have the right level of insurance

Different people will take out different levels of insurance. As a general rule of thumb is best to insure to a level that will cover you in a worst case scenario. There have been some horror stories as a result of unscrupulous moving companies and without insurance there is little or nothing you can do to replace your items in such a cicumstance.

If you can't replace it, perhaps it's better to take it yourself

Personal items such as photographs that can't be replaced, may be better to take in the car yourselves. Most moving companies will do a good job, but if you just can't risk it, so it yourself.

Know your rights

In the U.S.A. it is required by law that every moving company provides you with the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet. If you live somewhere other the the U.S.A. then please ensure you know your rights in your particular country.