Getting a Move On? Choose Wisely

If you’re planning to move to a new home, chances are that you’re going to have to use a moving company to transfer at least some of your belongings from your old home to your new. Hiring a reputable moving company to help with this important task can be the difference between happiness and heartbreak when you arrive at your new home. But how do you go about making this weighty decision?

You’ll want to get started by making a budget. How much can you and are you willing to spend on this critical task? If you don’t have a lot of money, moving some items yourself mean some savings.

Next, do a walk-through of your existing home to make some choices. Are there items that you can move yourself? You’ll want to take into account how far you’re moving (a local move is very different from a cross-country journey), how much you can fit in your own or borrowed vehicles, whether you want to pack items yourself, and whether you are willing and able to do any heavy lifting.

Once you’ve determined the basics, such as how many items you’re moving, whether you’ll need storage, and whether you are going to pack your own boxes or have the moving company pack them for you, it’s time to shop around by calling several companies. Ask questions about how long they have been in business and the kind of experience their packers and drivers have. Make sure each company understands the specifics of your move, including the destination. You can also ask for referencesand talk to friends, co-workers, and your real estate agent to get recommendations about companies they have worked with in the past.

Once you have narrowed the search down to a few companies, you can ask to have a representative from each to visit your home and give you an estimate. Make sure they understand which of your belongings they are packing and moving – while it might save you some money if you’re willing to pack your own boxes, the company might not guarantee the safety of items that they move but don’t pack. If you have fragile or valuable items, ask about insurance and replacement policies, and make sure each company is aware of any heavy or unwieldy items they would be moving, such as a grandfather clock or grand piano.

If you’re making a national move, you might want to consider anational carrier that has a presence in both locations. National carriers should be able to provide proof that they are licensed for interstate transport. For local moves, a reputable local companymight be your best (and most cost-effective) bet.

Finally, go with your gut. If you get a good feeling from the customer service a company provides at the outset of your search, it’s likely that the company is well established and considers customer satisfaction to be important.

Good luck!