We know that moving isn't easy. Not only are you picking up your family and possessions but you are having people that you just met pack up your prized possessions and take them in some big truck to an unfamiliar place. Combine this nerve-wracking thought with all of the stories that you hear about movers and you might find yourself in a full on panic attack. Before we lose you and your sanity, we are here to remind you that millions of families move each year without any problems. Not that they did it without some modicum of stress but the end result was a successful move and a satisfied customer. Our goal with each and every moving family is that you minimize the stress around your move and increase the probability that you will be one of those grinning, happy customers at the end of your move.
In order to increase the likelihood that you arrive at your new home as one of these happy people, let's start by laying out some of the common mistakes that many consumers make that will almost never help you reach your goal of a successful move.
Not having a plan - Moving is a complicated process. It involves a myriad of different activities and tasks that need to be fully coordinated to bring it all together. Without a plan, you will not have a full sense of what you need to accomplish, what help you will need and how you will go forward to get everything done. Start with a plan and never ever wing it!
Not creating a budget for your move - Moving services can be a substantial part of your relocation budget. If you are moving from a large residence or moving long distances, you will likely incur moving services into the thousands of dollars. Understand these costs and how they fit into your overall relocation budget, which might include travel, auto transport, temporary living expenses, etc. With a budget and a plan, you can go forward and shop for the moving services that fit both your needs and your budget.
Not planning ahead - Moving companies get extremely busy in the summer months! Their capacity is limited and good companies will be very busy during the peak summer moving period. The more lead time you give yourself, the more negotiating leverage you will have with the moving company. The best deals are likely to be found during the winter months and during the second and third weeks of the month. Many renters will be leaving their residences at the beginning of a month when most leases are signed. This creates a lot of demand for moving services at the beginning of each month. The more time you plan ahead and the more flexible you can be, the better chance you have of saving some money on your move.
Not getting estimates from multiple licensed moving companies - The surest way to overpay for your moving services is to not shop around. Any moving company salesperson that isn't on their first day on the job will ask you what other companies you are speaking with and what estimates that you have received. Moving companies compete with each other each day so they know their competition. Let them tell you why they are the best choice for you and get the information you need to make the right comparison and right choice for you.
Choosing a mover whose price is substantially less than other estimates you receive - Quality moving companies tend to price their services within a reasonable pricing band. If one company prices their services significantly outside this band (25-40% less than other estimates), there is a very high likelihood that they are not basing their estimates on the same set of criteria (weight, men and hours needed, etc.) or that you are going to find a host of unexpected charges at the end of your move. Moving companies have similar costs for a move - moving labor, packing supplies, driver time, gas, etc. If someone is way outside of the other prices being offered, you need to understand why this is the case. Be a smart shopper, when things sound too good to be true, it is a good bet that they are.
Failing to disclose relevant facts to the moving company - We see this mistake all the time. Just because you did not tell the moving company that your apartment is on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator doesn't change the fact that you will be paying for them to trek up and down these stairs when they arrive on moving day. Provide a full and accurate description of the residence you will be moving from and the one that you will be moving to. If you live or are moving to streets that will not allow for a large truck to park, you may need other services such as shuttle services to transport your items up to your door. The price of your move is highly correlated to the amount of things that you are moving. The more stuff you have, the more packing, unpacking and cost associated with the move. Again, full disclosure is the best policy. If a moving company is going to transport the item(s), it is going to get weighed or carried at some point and it will end up costing you in the end. No one ever snuck a grand piano by a moving company. If you need it moved, be sure to tell the moving company so your charges will be set upfront and not decided at the back of your move.
Not getting a binding estimate - Never let someone start your move without a written contact that indicates what services you will be receiving and how much you will be paying for them. If you do not feel comfortable with the estimate or the contract, don't sign it. Follow your instincts, if sometimes does not seem right, don't risk it - there are plenty of high quality moving companies out there and you deserve to have one of them do your move.
Not understanding your insurance options - Again this is a common mistake we see many consumers make. You are moving your household items not doing heart surgery. Things can and often do go wrong, even with moving professionals that exhibit the highest degree of professionalism and care. By choosing a quality moving company, you increase your chances of having a successful move but there is still a risk that things could be broken or damaged during the course of your move. In most cases, your household items will not be covered under your current homeowners' or renters' insurance policy. Moving companies will provide released value protection if you do not pay for or elect supplemental insurance. This coverage will only pay you $0.60 per pound if something is broken or damaged. Our best example of how this works is that your 300 lbs plasma television would be insured for $180.00 not that the $3,000 that you paid for it. If you want full value protection, you can purchase this coverage from your moving company or from a reputable third party insurance carrier. If something is damaged or lost, you will be making your claim and dealing with the insurance company, not the moving company on these issues.
Assuming that it is easier and cheaper to move yourself - It doesn't sound like it would be hard but packing all of your items correctly, loading them into a truck and driving this truck to your new residence subjects you to a whole other set of risks. We liken these 'self-moves' to a do-it-yourself home improvement project. Chances are it will take much longer than you ever expected, it will cost much more than you thought and you probably won't be as happy with the outcome when it is all over. Moving is a very specialized service involving industry specific equipment, supplies, trucks and staff. Quality moving companies provide very specific training to their moving crews and foreman that provide them with proven, best practices and techniques to best pack and transport your items. Proper packing and use of the right supplies and equipment can substantially reduce the risk of damage in transit. With sky high gas prices and rising truck rental costs, when you really put pencil to paper, you may be surprised at the real difference in cost between hiring professionals or winging it with family and friends.
Not transporting your most precious items yourself - always carry your important documents with you when you move. Items such as passports, wills, financial documents, etc. should be placed in a briefcase or handbag and carried by hand to your new location. Other high value items such as jewelry and watches that can be easily transported should also be hand carried. Be sure to have a few days of personal items at your disposal such as toothpaste, razors and such as you do not want to have to go out and purchase all new items as you await yours to arrive. Always back up your computer files just in case something happens to the computer in route. If you have an especially valuable or prized item (such as an antique or artwork), make absolute sure that you watch the item being packed. If the warning bells start to ring with the way something has been packed, ask the movers for additional protection for the item. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Not carefully checking your physical inventory - This document is your proof that items that were packed from your residence made it on the truck. Go through this document very carefully and make sure that you both understand it and verify that everything that you wanted to be taken was packed and put on the truck. When your items arrive at your new residence, again review the inventory checklist to make sure that everything that you verified previously found its way to your new home. Taking the time to really go through the inventory saves you countless hassles as you try to remember 3 weeks after you move what you had and hadn't packed.
Treating your movers poorly - Well this one seems pretty basic but we hear the stories of the consumers screaming and berating their movers and then watching them load their possessions onto a truck for a 10 day drive across the country. Chances something gets broke just went through the roof! First, being a mover is a tough, tough job. They work very hard doing a job that combines heavy physical strain with a gentle touch. They are always on edge as they do not want to be the person that drops the box of dishes. Many movers are dependent on consumer tips so they are highly motivated to deliver a good service experience to you. However, nothing changes the likelihood that your move will go well than you treating your movers badly. A glass of lemonade, a warm greeting and thank you really does go a long way. Think about these folks being the protectors of your personal possessions throughout the move. Follow the golden rule, it will be worth it.
While this list of common mistakes is by no means an exhaustive one, it should give you a good start in thinking about the things that you can do to make your move a successful one. Take heart in knowing that with the right planning, the right moving company and the right attitude, you can soon find yourself enjoying your first night in your new home!
