There are several ways to move and each has its pros and cons. Regardless of your path, get several quotes to ensure you're getting the best deal for you.
When getting quotes from different types of companies – truck rental, container based moving or professional movers –consider how you value your own time and don’t forget there can be hidden costs. Will the professional mover offer insurance to cover your piano, for example?
Also note that there are sometimes big differences in quotes from companies within a certain segment. There are ‘cheap’ truck rental companies that might not give you as high a quality of truck or provide the same level of customer service. And, of course, professional movers can range from very highly quality to a few guys trying to earn extra money that have little experience and are not licensed. So be careful who you call!
When you get quotes, look for details on all the charges:
- Truck rental – does it include the cost for mileage?
- Professional movers – does it include moving everything in the house? Is the price a guaranteed maximum based on their inventory of items and weight? What is the hourly rate for extra work?
- Insurance – how much is included? (Many states require a base amount of coverage). What is the cost of upgrading to supplemental coverage?
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
When considering a professional moving, it is critical to find a company that adheres to both federal and state licensing and insurance requirements. You should also try to make sure you are selecting a company that will provide an accurate estimate (by sending a very thorough and customer service oriented person to your home to take an inventory) and perhaps gives you a "not to exceed."
Also check these licensing issues:
- Verify the status of the moving company's licenses with the US DOT, State DOT, or ICC
- Checking with the local Better Business Bureau for state department that handles consumer complaints and finding out what moving services the moving company performs.
- There are also now websites that can help you get customer complaints or testimonials.
HomePoints however recommends Allied or North American Van Lines. When you tell them that you are calling from HomePoints, they will provide you the following:
- Better Transit times – shorter pickup and delivery windows; the standard transit guide application for a 5,000 lbs move is a 7 day delivery window, but when you mention HomePoints the delivery window is only 2 days.
- Double valuation coverage – minimum liability is $10 times the weight of the shipment, however when you mention HomePoints charges are based on $5 times the weight of the shipment
- Priority Tag/Preferred dispatch – when you mention HomePoints then your shipment is treated as corporate contract carriage agreements by operations
- Guaranteed Price – when you mention HomePoints you will get a guaranteed price after a salesperson visits your home. And it is guaranteed that there will be no hidden fees or unexpected charges on moving day.