Important Details To Take Care Of Before You Hire A Moving Company
Getting a written estimate of your move is so important that you really do need to take the time and trouble of getting three or more quotes from professional movers before you decide which moving company will get your business. Keep in mind that all moving quotes are always free. If a mover tries to charge you for an estimate, you should look elsewhere. Moving estimates are important for a number of reasons. You need a written record of the cost so you can see all of the fees and services you are paying for. Estimates are also inventory lists, which you will need to check carefully, to protect your possessions and to have as proof if you need to make a claim. You should also take color photographs of all your antiques and other valuable items and keep a file of these along with detailed descriptions and appraisals if you have them, in the event that something is damaged or lost and you file a claim.
With regard to insuring your cargo with local or interstate movers, read every word of the moving company’s policies and ask questions until you are satisfied with the answers. The amount of insurance that a moving company is liable for varies, but is usually less than a dollar per pound, so do not count on being able to replace any damaged items with just the insurance payment. If you want to get additional insurance, you can check to see if your homeowner’s insurance policy offers protection for your move.
Although there are many moving companies that advertise low prices and quality, trustworthy service online, you should choose a professional moving company that has a local office and a fleet of trucks and vans with the company’s logo. Online movers cannot be questioned in person, and trusting an unknown company with your possessions can result in your things being roughly handled, stolen outright or held hostage until you pay more than the amount that was previously agreed upon. Most of the complaints against movers are made by people who found the mover online.