Moving house is an unavoidable part of life: We brow up, we move out, we buy our first homes, sell it when the kids grow up, and find a new one where you could spend the rest of your years relaxing and reminiscing.
But unsaid amidst all this is the most challenging part: packing and transporting everything that you can’t leave behind. But while it entails a lot of hard work, help is available. Professional movers for long distance areas can help make any move easy for any family.
Things to Do Before You Move
Inventories and Boxes
Choose boxes of different sizes so you could put more of your belongings in them. Put bulky but light materials in big boxes (such as blankets and towels) while fragile objects should be covered in paper, bubble wrap, and smaller fabrics.
The moving company will take an inventory of all your belongings. This will help them assess the bulk as well as the weight of your stuff. They would send an estimator who will check everything—large furniture, fragile items, drawers, bookcases, cupboards. An accurate assessment of the weight of your belongings and how much space it will occupy in the truck will be the basis of their estimate.
Part of this assessment is the estimator conducting a walk-through. There will be items you will be leaving, and he or she needs to take notes of such items.
Some movers may offer to do the packing for you, but the rates could increase too. Make sure to check how much it would cost you, but also make a list of the things you want them to pack for you.
Upfront Payment
Experienced and reputable movers typically don’t demand a hefty deposit even before the first box is on the truck. If they insist on cash up front with the reasoning that they would need to hire a truck, that’s a red flag right there. Professional movers have a fleet of moving vehicles, personnel and equipment on standby, who could assist you regardless of the payment scheme you chose.
They could also charge extra fees if their personnel had to negotiate ten flights of stairs to get to your new house. Clarify everything they need to do, the difficulties of the destination and the requirements for all those involved.
Check for Legitimate Papers
Check if the moving company has a local office and that their state and federal licenses and insurances are up to date. You could also go online to view their site and look for customer reviews. Compare the pros and cons and make your choice.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to find a reliable moving company, make sure everything is in writing. This is especially important so that you can file a claim if something disappears on the way to the destination.
Check if they also offer full value protection. Think of it as a comprehensive insurance plan. Choosing this puts your mind at ease as if something happens to your things. These are some of the things the protection should cover:
1. Repair the item to restore it to its original condition
2. Replace the item with the same kind
3. Offer to pay for the cost of repair.
Movers could limit their loss or damage liability to items that fall under the category ‘articles of extraordinary value’ unless these items were specifically listed on the shipping papers. (Any item that has a value of $100 per pound is classified as an article of extraordinary value.) Your mover can provide you with a detailed explanation of this option, which should be clear to you before you sign the contract.
There is also an alternative level of liability. This is the no-cost option, but as such, the protection you get is very minimal. Under this option, the mover is free from liability for no more than 60 cents per pound, per item. Simply put, if an item is lost or damaged, what you will get is the pound weight of the item multiplied by 60 cents. To illustrate, if a 10-pound sound system was lost or destroyed, the mover would only pay you $6. Make sure you understand both options before you sign the contract.
Ask Suggestions from Friends and Family
Ask your friends and family if they know of a reliable moving company that can provide you with excellent services and rates. Other sources of reputable movers can be found through a list provided by the American Moving and Storage Association or the State Associations of Movers.
Most people who have never made a long-distance move are unaware of the nine-month period where they may report any problems or complaints as well as to make an insurance claim. Unpacking may take a couple of weeks, and that is sufficient time to discover if your precious china has been damaged during the trip.
Most movers are given 30 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim. In the next 120 days, they could either deny your claim or make a compensatory offer for your broken item.
All movers are mandated to assume liability for the value of the property they are transporting. There are two levels of liability that you have to be aware of as well as the charges that apply and protection amount that each one provides.
Make moving houses easy for you and your family. Choose a reliable moving company that can help you start the next chapter in your life, and check for all these things before choosing one.
