Moving to a new residence involves a lot of critical decision-making in a short span of time. One of the best ways to ensure your move’s success is to ask the right questions and weigh your options so you can prepare for the worst. Below are some things you should know before you schedule your move.
When is the best time to move?
Most moving companies have their hands full in the summer. If you are looking to move between May and September, we suggest you make arrangements ahead of time to avoid delays. Also, weekends are busy days for moving, so if you can schedule your move on a weekday, it would be to your advantage.
How do I select the right moving company?
Make time to find out about local moving companies in your city. You can get information from family members, colleagues, or neighbors if they recently hired help for moving. Most reputable moving companies would set up a website with every critical information about them. It is also recommended to check with the BBB website to determine if the company had any complaints from their customers. Review sites such as Yelp, Google, and Facebook can also give you an insight into how the company works according to their past clients.
How will I be charged?
A lot of moving companies charge on an hourly basis. It is critical to ask the company about this factor because you may be charged more than you can afford to spend. While it is difficult for the movers to say how much the moving service will take until they see your items and know your destination, they can provide averages for you to compare with others. Be cautious of companies that charge differently.
Can you provide an estimate?
It would be a pleasure for a respectable moving company to offer you an estimate. One of the company’s moving consultants will visit your property and inspect what needs to move. It should include information about when, what, and how the move will go. You will be charged depending on the distance of the move and how much you are moving.
Should I be home during the move?
Absolutely. You need to sign some paperwork on the day of the move, and you have to tell the movers what you want to be loaded into the truck. Once your items are in the truck, you will be asked to inspect if everything is in place and walk the movers through to ensure everything goes out as planned. Use this time to bring up concerns and questions, if you have any.
What should I do with my pets?
Make sure that your cat or dog is inside their carriers before the movers arrive. Animals are naturally curious and can get in the way of the movers. It is best to tie your dog or place him in the carrier, especially if they get agitated around strangers. It is important to note that moving companies cannot transport pets such as dogs and cats, so you need to do it yourself.