Begin your search by asking friends, family, neighbors and other acquaintances for their recommendations. They can relate their experiences with various companies and give you an idea of the service level you can expect.
Before obtaining any estimates, decide which household items are not going to be moving with you (items you'll be selling, throwing out or giving away). Be sure to let the moving companies know that they should not include these items in their estimate.
Determine how much of the packing you intend to do for yourself. You may save money by doing it on your own and by obtaining supplies like moving boxes and packing tape, but it will come at the expense of your time. Packing basic items yourself and leaving valuable or fragile items to the professionals often gives you the best balance of cost and peace of mind.
There can often be hidden charges associated with your move. For example, a company may charge you extra for anything that slows down the move (i.e. heavy traffic) or requires extra labor (i.e. overtime). Ask the company what additional charges you can expect, and request that they include these in their estimate if possible. Smaller moving companies may offer better prices, but be sure you know what you're getting.
Many companies spring up to take advantage of the busy summer months and then disappear by the fall — these companies won't be accountable to you after your move is done. The busiest — and therefore, most expensive — moving months are June, July and August. If at all possible, try to schedule your move outside these months. In particular, try to avoid the end of these months.
Make sure all promises are backed up in writing. Even with the best intentions, a verbal agreement can result in confusion, unexpected costs or undelivered services. Obtain estimates from at least three moving companies before making your choice. You'll want to weigh the costs against the services provided by each company, and choose the one that fits your needs and budget.
A Tip to Consider
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