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Making mistakes when moving isn't just annoying -- it can be downright PAINFUL.
So please heed these common mistakes that people make when moving.
- "Getting Moving Quotes over the phone: You really think a guy on the phone can give
you a precise estimate of how much it will cost to move all your worldly possessions?
No way. know how.
Insist on an in-home estimate. They need to see everything you have to move. Maybe
you can get an accurate Moving Estimate or Moving Quote if you have a very small
move, but it still pays to have someone look at your stuff in person. And if you're
moving to another state and the Moving Company is within 50 miles of your home,
they're required to do this.
- Not getting estimates from several Moving Companies - The only way to get an accurate
sense for what's "fair" is to have several Movers give you estimates of how much
your move will cost -- after they see your stuff in person.
- Choosing a Mover with very low quote– OK, we can't say this enough: do not choose
the International Moving Company that has a dramatically lower quote. That's the
No. 1 way to get scammed. Do you really think someone who comes in 25% to 40% below
other movers has such lower costs?
Nope.
Here's how it goes: You get the low estimate now, and all of a sudden extra charges
start piling up until you're at or above the estimates you got from the other Movers.
Worse yet, a rogue Mover could hold your goods hostage until he gets his money.
- Choosing an unlicensed, uninsured Moving Company. Moving Companies need to be licensed,
and they need to be insured. If you're making a move within California, the California
Public Utilities Commission oversees the moving industry. Go to its Website, or
call, to find out that the International Moving company you're looking at is licensed
and insured, and also check its record of complaints.
If you're moving to another state, the federal government has jurisdiction -- specifically,
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation
- Not recognizing Moving Company's busy season - Moving Companies, particularly the
good ones, get very busy in the summer. So the more you plan ahead, the greater
the chance you'll be able to line up a Mover. The best deals for moving are likely
to be found during the winter and during the second and third weeks of the month
-- many renters leave their residences at the beginning of the month when most leases
are signed.
- Not getting a binding estimate – Never let someone start your move without a written
contract that spells out what services you will be receiving and how much you will
be paying. If you do not feel comfortable with the moving estimate or the contract,
don't sign it. Follow your instincts.
- Failing to disclose everything to the Moving Company – Maybe your apartment is on
the fourth floor of a building with no elevator; maybe you actually DO want to move
that metal shelving unit in the basement; maybe the street your new home is on is
just a wee bit too small for the moving van. None of these obstacles is insurmountable,
but they WILL make your move more expensive; if you don't tell the mover about them,
you will be charged for it later.
- Not understanding your insurance options – During a move, things can go wrong. In
most cases, your household items will not be covered under your homeowners' or renters'
policy
- Assuming it is easier and cheaper to move yourself – It isn't easy packing all of
your items correctly, loading them into a truck and driving this truck to your new
residence: It might take you longer than you expected, it will cost much more than
you estimated, and you probably won't be as happy with the outcome when it is over.
Unless your move is small or you have lots of buddies who owe you favors, check
out a Moving Company.
- Not having a budget – If you are moving from a large residence or moving a long
distance, you will likely incur moving services into the thousands of dollars. Understand
how these costs fit into your overall budget, which will include travel to your
new home, auto transport, and temporary living expenses, insurance. Use our Relocation
moving calculator to keep track of your International Moving expenses.
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