Monday, December 15, 2008

Avoid Hiring The Wrong Moving Company

By James T Tillman

Hiring a company to move you is a decision most of us have to make at least once in our lives. For some professionals, choosing a moving company is nearly a yearly ritual. Here are a few tips to keep you from choosing the wrong moving company.

Most people hire movers this day and age, especially when moving long distances. The cost of a move is expensive, but hiring the wrong moving company is WAY more expensive. The good news for most people is that if a company is relocating you, the generally pick up the bill. If you are the decision maker, the following tips will help you choose a reputable moving company.

For the most part, large moving companies give today's consumers several options to fit nearly any budget. You can find companies who will just park a tractor trailer in front of your home and you load it, to moving companies who will come in, pack everything, load it, clean your home and then transport your belongings to the new home, unpack it and set everything up, clean up the mess and leave. Most consumers pick something in between

Recently the moving industry has seen a rise in the "complete package" home services company. These companies find you a house, help you sell the one you're in, pack you up, ship your belongings and unpack you at your new home. These are very popular with corporations that are moving corporate officials on a regular basis.

Wise consumers will always check out several moving companies before hiring one. Research the company online by browsing reviews of past customers. Subscribe to Angies List to see how other local residents rate the moving company. Check out ratings at the BBB and then call and interview the moving company. You can never be to thorough when choosing a moving company.

You may also want to ask the company themselves for references, and information on when their cheapest and most expensive times are to move. You may find moving midweek to be far more cost effective, as weekends always carry a premium.

Make sure a representative from the company comes out and gives you a firm quote and that you get that quote in writing. Never accept a quote over the phone or email. No one can give you an accurate quote just by asking how many bedrooms you have. Also, at the time they come out, make sure they bring a copy of both their transport and general liability insurance for your review.

Would you be surprised if I told you some moving companies retain the right to hold your furniture until they are paid in full? If there is some type of dispute, they could hold your furniture, charging you a storage fee for doing so, until the dispute has been cleared up. This is why it's so important to get everything in writing.

Always ask to review their policy on breakdowns or delays. You neve want to be sitting a your home waiting on the moving company. How many days late do they have to be before you can have your fee back? What if they're a week late in showing up? These are the types of questions you need the answer for before hiring a moving company. - 16463

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