Moving
Choosing a Moving Company
What Should You Do?
- Do your homework when picking a company.
- Ask friends, neighbors, business associates, and family members about their experiences with movers.
- Only use a licensed mover as they have to adhere to strict standards. Be sure to see Moving Resources for ways to check this and other information that may shorten your list. And read Moving Scams for your own information and protection.
- Use a local mover where possible.
- Compare the services offered by several movers. A basic fee usually includes loading, transporting, and unloading household goods. Services for additional fees might include disconnecting and reconnecting appliances, packing and unpacking boxes, providing packing materials, etc. And there may be some things that movers will not move, like certain valuables, personal papers, house plants, and perishables.
- Ask two or three companies to give written estimates, making sure that they are using the same criteria by walking them through your home and pointing out all areas where your belongings are stored and pointing out items that will need special handling like a grandfather clock or a piano. Consider that some things may be cost-prohibitive to move using the moving service.
- Read the fine print.
- Get your own moving insurance. Don't trust the mover's coverage. And consider taking pictures or video of your belongings before moving day for insurance purposes or in case there is a dispute regarding condition upon delivery.
- Know your rights.
- Get everything on paper.
Ready For the Move
- Set a moving date as soon as possible to ensure that you get the most convenient dates possible. Be sure to consider scheduling any travel and lodging reservations you may need for you and for any pets.
- Consider taking pictures or video of your belongings before moving day for insurance purposes or in case there is a dispute regarding condition upon delivery.
- Arrange for you or a designated representative to be present when the movers pack and load your belongings. Movers typically will inventory and code boxes by number and furniture by condition, and you will likely be asked to sign that you agree with the codes assigned and the mover's assessment of the condition of your household goods. You will need to resolve discrepancies with the driver or moving company office before signing.
- Once loaded, and before the driver leaves, make one last check to make sure nothing is left behind.
- Be sure that you will be available to meet the mover at your destination to avoid waiting fees.
- Know that you will likely be asked for payment before unloading. See Moving Scams for information.
- Arrange for at least two people to be available for unloading. One should check off all boxes and furniture on the inventory list as they are brought into the house, noting any damaged boxes or furniture (insurance may not cover missing or damaged items not noted on delivery). The other will show the movers where to place items in the house.
- Movers are reponsible for placing items in the rooms indicated and for reassembling all furniture and equipment disassembled at the original address. You will want to open boxes to inspect contents for damage. If you do not have time to open all boxes, make sure you understand the insurance claims procedure in case you find damage later and note the unopenned boxes on the inventory.
- If you do find damage, document it. Do not touch up scratches or discard any damaged items or their cartons as an insurance representative has a right to inspect them.
Moving Scams
Moving Scams often work like this:
- Internet used to select movers.
- Consumer gets estimate.
- Moving truck shows up and furniture is loaded.
- Estimate increased to several times the original bid. Company says pay or possessions sold at auction.
There is often fine print in contracts. Companies use this to convince local law enforcement to leave it to civil rather than criminal courts.
It is against federal law for movers, on delivery, to ask for over 110% (They can only do this when they provide services beyond what is covered in the binding estimate. See Federal rules and regs.) of estimate or hold on to furniture. Look up Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation.
Moving Resources
- www.protectyourmove.gov - from the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Also, Check Mover Registration from the FMCSA. Use the company's DOT or motor carrier number, from the mover, to find up-to-date information on the company's insurance, safety, and inspection records. A good company will not have a problem providing the number.
- ConsumerAffairs.com - consumer news and resource center
- www.movingscam.com
- www.bbb.org
- www.ripoffreport.com