It's estimated that the average American will move at least 11.4 times during his or her lifetime. Completing a move can be difficult, so many people opt to hire professional movers to help them alleviate some of the stress associated with the moving process.
If you are hiring a professional moving company to assist with your upcoming move, here are two things you need to know to make sure your partnership is a success.
1. Some movers will tack on extra charges the day of the move.
Calling around to various moving companies for an estimate will help you find the most affordable company willing to assist with your move. Receiving a bill that is much higher than you were planning can add to the stress of moving, so you will want to be aware of the additional charges that professional movers could tack on to your bill.
Be sure that you take the time to walk through your home with a representative from your moving company before they begin loading the truck. If the representative indicates that certain items will need to be boxed up, or that some furnishings (like beds or tables) will need to be taken apart before transport, let them know that you will take care of these tasks. Movers will often charge extra for packing and disassembling furniture, so completing these tasks yourself will help you avoid additional fees.
2. Never get an estimate over the phone.
No two people see the world the same way. While differing perspectives don't generally cause problems, your moving estimate could be affected if you don't see eye-to-eye with a moving company.
What you define as a medium-sized table might actually qualify as a large piece of furniture according to the moving company's standards. Without seeing your property in person, it can be difficult for a moving company to determine what size truck will be needed to complete your move, and how many men will need to be on site to move your belongings efficiently.
Whenever you are asking for an estimate, be prepared to invite a moving company representative into your home. These on-site estimates will allow you to get a more accurate idea of how much it will cost to have a professional move your belongings, which will avoid unnecessary stress when you receive your bill if the estimate was too low.
Working with professional movers is a great way to gain access to the manpower and equipment needed to make the moving process easier. Just be sure that you take the time to do a walk-through before any work starts and that you never get an estimate over the phone if you want to avoid surprise charges on your bill. If you do decide to move yourself rather than having the pros do it for you, renting a truck from a company like Elite Truck Rental will make packing much easier and more efficient.
Share