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What To Know Before You Hire Moving Companies

There aren’t many things in life that can bring on a panic attack like an impending move. Even if you just finished building your dream home and you’re finally leaving your parents’ house, the move can cause plenty of stress. Professional, experienced moving companies can help reduce problems and help things go smoothly.

There are major differences in moving companies , and depending on your particular needs will depend on what type of companies you should start contacting. Even though costs might be a factor in your decision, don’t let a cheap price be your deciding factor. A large well known company can still cause problems and disappointments.

The best way to start to eliminate possible issues is to only deal with companies that are willing to send out a representative to give you an estimate. No one can give you a good estimate if they don’t see your home. It’s impossible to tell someone “3 bedrooms, living room, and 2 baths will cost you…”. There’s a huge difference between bedrooms that are 10′ x 12′ and ones that are 20′ x 25′. Someone needs to do a walk through before they decide what you have and what you don’t.

Also ask how many workers will be showing up. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that two men can’t move an entire house in one day. Add things like an elevator or steep staircases, and it could take an entire day just to load the truck! Get as many men there as you can arrange - it will be cheaper in the long run, especially if you are being charged by the hour.

Ask to see their contract first, then read it thoroughly before signing. Pay close attention to small print. Look for insurance coverage and guarantees. Also look for things like how they charge for overtime if they are basing your estimate on an hourly rate per person. All too often any overtime is the fault of the moving companies, not yours. Don’t allow yourself to end up in a position where you are paying hundreds of dollars extra because these guys took off for lunch, delaying the process.

While the moving companies are there doing the walk through and formulating the estimate, make sure you ask them questions about how would handle specific issues. Don’t take anything for granted! Anyone with a few muscles can call themselves “moving companies”, but if they don’t have common sense, it’s a problem waiting to happen. Ask how they handle rain storms as they are bringing your expensive furniture in and out. What do they do with large expensive pieces of art? Are they experienced with high end electronics and plasma TVs? If they can’t explain in detail how they handle each of the above, find another company.

And finally, be wary of anyone who says they need to paid in cash only. This means they are probably unlicensed to do business and if you have a complaint, there’s not much you can do. Only use a company who takes credit cards.

Want to find out more about cross country movers, then visit Harold Jacobs’s site on how to choose the best piano movers for your needs.

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