To be sure all your possessions arrive intact, it’s important to hire a long distance moving company you can depend on. By asking the right questions, you can ensure your long distance moving company will take good care of your things and get them where they need to go, when they need to be there.

Building a List of Long Distance Movers

To start your search, make up a list of movers you think would be a good fit for your move. Online sites can provide quotes to give you a general idea of how much an individual company might charge. Don’t necessarily choose the least expensive companies when narrowing down your list, as you’ll want to consider other factors before making a final decision.

Once you’ve acquired several initial quotes and have narrowed down your list, it’s time to start asking the hard questions.

In-Home Quotes and Detailed Interviews

An in-home quote is the best way to determine exactly how much your move will cost. A long distance moving company can give you a general idea of cost, but until they see exactly what you have that needs to be moved, they can’t supply an exact quote.

In addition to a detailed, in-home quote, you’ll want to interview the movers with a list of detailed questions. Some questions to include are:

How much experience do you have?
Experience should include not just moving, but quoting. An inexperienced move might give an inaccurate quote, as well as not give you a quality move. This could end not only with damage to your possessions, but a final cost higher than expected.

When will my possessions arrive?
A moving company might not be able to say when they’ll deliver to the minute, but they should be able to give you a window of a day or two. If the delivery time seems too vague, too optimistic, or doesn’t take into account possible weather delays or other issues, the movers might just be saying what they know you want to hear.

Can you provide references?
If the company has done numerous moves for local business on either end (or both ends) of your planned move, these references can give you a good idea of the kind of work the company does.

How will you approach moving my (piano, heirloom dresser–insert whatever specialty item you own here)?
Most movers have a plan for moving particularly large, cumbersome, or valuable items. Many will not move pianos, but will provide references for companies who specialize in piano moving. If a company is apprehensive about moving any individual item, it might be a good idea to let them recommend someone else. On the other hand, if they are overly enthusiastic about moving your Steinway grand piano, it might not hurt to look elsewhere.

In addition to looking for the right answers, pay attention to the attitude and tone. If a moving company seems overly willing to take on any project, or dismissive of possible problems, you might want to move on to the next company on the list.

Boxes are your friend
One of the moving packing tips that you absolutely have to adhere to has everything to do with boxes. For almost every home owner, you are going to have lots of little things in your house that need to be moved. There are going to be books, movies, lamps, clothes, and household items that need to be packed up and shipped to your next residence. It can get very tricky if you try to move these things individually, so it is absolutely essential that you put them in some sort of boxes. This is one of those moving packing tips that cannot be ignored, because doing so will make it a much more cumbersome task.

Likewise, this is one of the moving packing tips that is most important because you want to stay organized through the entire process. When you pack up your small things in boxes – whether they are grocery store boxes or plastic boxes – you will be able to better organize your things and fewer items will get lost in the move.

Labeling the small things
One of those moving packing tips that many people ignore has to do with labeling. When you get all of the stuff boxed up and ready to go, it will likely look the same to the movers that you are hiring. One way to make sure that everything is distinguished is to label the boxes. This is important for a couple of reasons. On one hand, labeling the boxes will enable you to better organize and keep up with them when it comes time to set up your new residence. In addition to that, you will be able to mark what is fragile, so that those breakable items will be protected through the moving process. If you have ever had something valuable broken, then you understand how important this is.

Preparing and securing your bigger items
Things like furniture can be really cumbersome to move. One of those moving packing tips that many people don’t pick up on is that you not only have to move these valuable items, but you also have to protect them from damage. In many instances, furniture items can be worth thousands of dollars. In a move, they can be damaged by scratching or bumping up against things. With that in mind, it is smart to use plastic covering or some sort of blanket to protect your dressers and bedroom suites. This will ensure that everything gets to your destination and without too much damage.

Taking advantage of moving company
It is smart to use all of the resources that a moving company can provide for you. Those are the people who are going to be moving your stuff, so inquire about the best ways to organize things and protect them. This is ultimately the most important of the moving packing tips, because those people are the best at what they do.

The first section of the pre-move checklist is the mechanics the move itself. Decide if you are doing the move yourself or if you want to hire a moving company. Using a moving company will greatly reduce the time, effort, and stress of your move. When choosing a moving company, check out their reviews and policies, and ask for an estimate. Once you have given them the dates of your move, they will arrange for their agent to survey the contents of your home. If you decide to do your own packing, start gathering packing materials, or you can have the moving company pack for you. Begin your packing with the items you use the least, and save the most essential items until the end.

The next section of your pre-move checklist will be for paperwork. First consider your utilities, like power, water, and telephone. Let the current providers know when you want the utilities shut-off. Your new home’s utility providers might require you to put down deposits, and you will need to let them know your move-in date. If you have children, arrange for their paperwork to be transferred from their old school to their new. It is also wise to get current phone numbers for your medical providers. When you start to choose your new doctors and dentists, you can have you previous doctor forward your records. As soon as you know your move dates, let the Post Office know by using their change of address card to avoid any delivery delays.

The third section of your pre-move checklist is about your new residence. A walk through will help you decide what needs to be done to make it livable. For example, are the smoke detectors in working order? Do you need to buy any shower curtains? If you want to paint any walls, it is best to do it before you move in. You can also create a floor plan at this time by measuring the rooms and deciding where you want to put your furniture. This will help the moving company to unload your furniture during the actual move.

The final section of your pre-move checklist will be for last minute details. It is very important to decide what items you must have immediately after you move, like toiletries, medications, pajamas, and an extra set of clothes. Do not pack these items in your boxes, but put them aside until you are ready to leave. You can put them in a piece of luggage or their own box and keep them with you. That way, when you are ready to go to sleep on the night of the move, you will not have to search frantically through your packed boxes trying to find some vital item.

Once you are done with your pre-move checklist, you can relax. You are prepared for the pleasures of your new home!

Local moves, for obvious reasons, are generally less expensive than a long distance move. When doing a local move, the estimate will likely be based on how many people will be needed to move you. There is usually a set price per crew member, so for example if there were 3 movers at a rate of $125 each, you would pay $375. With a long distance move, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of your moving quote.

It is a typical policy to charge someone by the weight of the shipment when moving long distance, as well as charging for whatever additional services might be requested. Going over your estimate and making sure you have an itemized list of charges goes a long way in understanding your moving quote. Normally, moving companies are busier in the summer, which means you will likely be able to get a greater discount if you move during the winter months.

One thing that could mean a higher quote would be packing charges. Sometimes, especially with a long distance move, you might require that certain things be packed by the moving company prior to them loading it on the truck. This could involve a packaging fee, as well as an unpacking fee if they also have to unpack the items when they get to their destination.

Another charge to be aware of to help you in understanding your moving quote is transportation charges. These quotes will always be different for everyone because the charge depends on the origin and destination of the move. The farther your destination is from where you are leaving, the more you will have to pay. While these transportation charges along with the other charges talked about previously can be discounted by the moving company, there are other charges which may not be able to be discounted.

Charges that will not be able to be discounted are the fuel surcharge, insurance related surcharges, valuation and third party services. Third party charges are incurred by your mover when they have to contract someone to do work on your behalf that they can not perform. Things such as reassembling a swing set or the disassembling of exercise equipment are just a couple of examples of these kinds of charges.

Fuel charges have been something that many trucking companies are now allowed to charge, but there is no standard, so be sure to find out when you receive your quote how much this charge will be. Insurance surcharges are not to cover your goods, but is just a fee charged by the moving company to help offset their insurance costs. Valuation is actually the charge that covers your property, and once a value is determined the moving company will charge a fee to cover the property based on that amount.

While the information needed to move may seem overwhelming, it really is very basic. Understanding your moving quote isn’t difficult if you just pay attention to what you are given. All of the above mentioned charges  must be included on your invoice. Pay attention to that and you shouldn’t have much trouble understanding your moving quote.

Tip #1 – Think through all of your moving company needs.  Determine the additional services you might need besides the general move, such as assistance with packing, storage needs, auto transport , antiques and specialty items, artwork crating, etc…

Tip #2 – Line up your options.  Now that you have fully thought out exactly what your moving needs are, it’s time to start the hunt for moving companies.  It’s highly recommended that you to get quotes from at least three different companies to ensure that you are not paying too much or receiving an unrealistic low-ball proposal.  Have your list prepared with of all of the important points relating to your move.

Tip #3 – What are you looking for.  Identify the moving companies that specialize in the specific type of move you are making.  This goes beyond the obvious local or long distance movers.  Make sure you confirm the experience of the movers against the items you are moving.  Do you just have boxes and bulk furniture, or are there antiques and artwork?  Often these items require specialists in the moving field.

Tip #4 – Get the right price.  Most moving companies will insist that they do a walk through prior to delivering a binding quote – this is very important.  Movers must see how many flights of stairs you have, narrow hallways, weight of items, and distance from the exit point of the house to the moving truck bay doors.  All of these factors contribute to the price.  Did it take you 4 hours to put the frame of your king bed together?  How long will it take a mover to disassemble, and rebuild in your new place? The moving experts know to consider this when pricing the job.  Be sure to get any quotes in writing and find out what circumstances could cause the estimated price to increase.

Tip#5 – Ask the right questions.  Now that you are prepared to answer any questions the moving company might throw your way, here is a list of pertinent information you will want to gather from each company:

1.    Can they provide references from their last 3-5 moves?

2.    What type of insurance coverage do they have for your items?

3.    How many people will be assigned to your move?  Do they have a plan is the crew is shorthanded?

4.    Explain the charges in detail – Do you charge by weight or by the hour?  Or both?

For peace of mind, it’s always a good idea to go online and search for any customer reviews or ratings about the experiences others have had with your potential moving choice.  Don’t forget to check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that no formal complaints have been lodged against any of the movers you are considering.  Last but certainly not least, check with your friends, neighbors and family members for recommendations – a glowing review or horror story can be one of the best indicators as to whether or not to go with a particular moving company.

Your moving checklist will contain easily remembered items such as gathering boxes and packing items you seldom use first, such as off-season clothes, holiday decorations, and small appliances that you might not need for a few weeks. Getting these out of the way helps reduce the last-minute packing rush.

There are other items that might not be as easy to remember, so make sure they get included on your moving checklist. You need to change your address with everyone, including credit card companies, insurance, magazine subscriptions, friends and relatives, and anyone you do business with. File a change of address with the post office, which covers anything that might fall through the notification cracks, but try to notify as many businesses as possible. You don’t want your bills getting delayed even a few days because of a forwarding order.

Don’t forget to add utility companies to your moving checklist. If you are moving within the same utility region, you just need to contact each utility to shut off the old service, start the new service, and update your mailing address. If you are moving to a new utility district, you’ll have to shut off the service with one company, then contact the new company to arrange start-up service in your new home.

Other items that you might forget include medical, dental, and veterinary records. If you are moving locally and plan to keep the same providers, you don’t need to worry about this. However, for a long-distance move, make sure you include these items on your moving checklist. You can get a copy of your records or arrange to have them transferred. Don’t forget the school records, as this will make enrolling in a new school easier.

The main point of a moving checklist is to take the time to sit down and consider each part of your move. Whether it’s estimating how long it will take to pack, making a list of companies to contact, or scheduling services, the moving checklist really just gives you an organized way to plan your move. Whether it’s a local or cross-country move, buying and selling homes simultaneously, or just moving to a new apartment, any move can be stressful. The more thought and planning you put into the move, the more smoothly it will run, which means less stress for you.

Regardless of the type of moving checklist you are creating, one of the first items should be to schedule your moving company. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and find that you can’t find a good mover for the date you want. Get this scheduled, then you can use that as the starting point for your checklist. For more information about our services and a price quote, fill out the above quote form.

How are moving companies quotes determined?
There are quite a few ways that moving companies quotes are determined for various customers. It is really dependent upon the individual company, because each of them will have their own set of criteria to figure out exactly how much to charge customers. For the most part, they will set their rates based upon how much stuff you have and how far you have to go. Because it is their man power that is going to be helping you move and it is their vehicle that’s going to be doing the transporting, this is how the company will figure out its own costs.

Are moving companies quotes determined by number of items or weight?
Many companies today are using weight as the determining factor for how much they charge. That is not to say that all moving companies quotes are going to use weight, though. Some of them will go by number of items, so that they understand just how long it is going to take them to move the stuff from one home to the truck and then to another home. Weight is a good factor for them to use because it gives them an idea of what sort of truck they need and also what equipment they will need. Likewise, they will want to know just how many men it is going to take in order to get the job done. Many of the best companies out there will issue moving companies quotes using both weight and number of items.

What if my request involves something out of the ordinary?
Most moving companies quotes will take into account delivery that is local. In many cases, they are able to deliver up to 25 miles and they are able to deliver a reasonable amount of weight. If you have to have something delivered out of town and it’s going to be quite a few miles, then you will need a special quote. Likewise, if you have a load of stuff that is incredibly heavy or will require special assistance, you will have a higher quote. Typically, the moving companies will handle these things on a case by case basis, and their ability to help you will depend upon their schedule and their available equipment (or man power).

What extras do the moving companies quotes include?
In many instances, moving companies will include their insurance coverage in the quote. If you want to have some sort of protection for your items in case of an accident, then you will have to pay for it. The insurance companies quotes will be included in your initial quote, as well as any other services that they may provide.

Where are you relocating to? What items will you need to move? Will your house be larger or smaller? Are there things you want to keep but can’t take with you for some reason? What kind of budget do you have? What kind of insurance is available? What is the moving company’s previous experience with the type of move you have to get done? These are just a few of the questions you will need to have prepared before you begin talking to any particular moving service. Good answers from the potential moving service will increase your confidence with them immeasurably.

To get started, you should have a list of potential moving service providers. Depending on how much effort you can put into planning, the move the list should be at least 3 and as many as 10 or 15 potential services. Most people go with 3 to 5 options. Almost all moving services have websites on which you may check out their services, costs and get quotes. But always remember to make contact with them over the phone or email so you can find out about any additional services available. At the very least, talk to your employer and determine if the company has a preferred mover. Using the preferred service may get you a big discount or additional services not normally provided.

The value of a reliable moving service is measured in the quality of the move in relation to its cost. It is most important to move your items so that they arrive safely when you expect them to arrive. Your choice of moving service may come down to the additional services provided. However, never think of licensing and insurance as additional services; these are requirements that each of the moving services you are evaluating should have. Additional services can include packing and loading your stuff at your existing location. You may need to purchase packaging supplies for your packing of certain items yourself. Ultimately you need to be aware of any additional costs associated with these additional services.

Requesting a quote from the moving service is the best way to know the costs on all the services provided. Any reliable service will agree to provide a quote they will stand behind. Your final review should be based on the quote provided. Don’t forget to ensure that the appropriate insurance, moving method and delivery schedule has been documented. Oftentimes, assuming all the right information can be provided, an online quote can be made by the moving service. This will certainly make it so much more convenient for you. It will also show you how professional a moving service is, should you choose to work with them.

1. Does your moving service perform their own work, or do they outsource?
This is important to be aware of because if your moving service does their own work then their own employees will be handling the work. If this is not the case, subcontractors that may not care about the experience you have may be doing the work.

2. Does your moving service have insurance?
Moving services should have insurance to cover broken, damaged, or lost items that they work with, but be sure to double check. As with any service, the consumer must never assume that insurance is provided.

3. What does your moving service’s insurance cover?
Some insurance plans only cover the retail value of the item that was broken, damaged, or lost. If you paid $1,000 for a television 5 years ago, that same television is probably not worth $1,000 anymore. The same model may be able to be purchased in a store for $500. However, since your television was 5 years old, the insurance company could say that they will not insure you for the full $500 it would cost to replace the television because it is used. This could leave you only getting a fraction of the cost of replacement for an item.

4. Have the movers been background checked and drug tested?
The last thing in the world that you want is to have your moving day stress escalate because you cannot find your precious jewelry when you are unpacking. You don’t want to have to question whether or not the moving services are hiring employees that have a criminal record, thereby forcing you to wonder if your jewelry found a new owner.

5. Does the service charge hourly?
Sometimes an hourly rate can assist you in getting the best deal possible, especially if you are able to help with some of the labor. Alternatively, it can also be the worst possible deal if the moving services are hiring unmotivated movers.

6. Does the service offer a flat-rate?
Many moving services will offer a flat-rate service in which they agree to move a certain amount of furniture for a set price, regardless of how long it takes.

7. When are the movers available?
Sometimes it is difficult, if not completely impossible, to locate movers on holiday weekends. This can be especially inconvenient, since this is when many people choose to move.

8. How far in advance do you need to make a reservation?
Some moving services plan several months in advance, whereas others only deal a few weeks or days in advance.

9. Is a deposit required?
Some moving services require that you prepay for your move, while others require a deposit, and some only require payment at the time services are rendered.

10. What happens if my movers call in sick?
Large moving services usually do not have a problem ensuring that a move is taken care of. Smaller companies, however, rely on their staff to show up everyday. Be sure to know if a mover getting sick will force you to reschedule.

What is the best way to find moving quotes?
By using technology to the fullest, you can find the lowest moving quotes available. Now that the internet is fully entrenched as a part of your life, there is no reason why you should take advantage of its power and speed. Taking a look at a bunch of different companies and the things that they can provide only takes a couple of minutes, and it can give you an idea of what you are going to have to pay. Likewise, it can give you an idea of which companies are most feasible for your particular needs. Not all moving companies will take your stuff where it needs to go, so it’s best to have an idea of which ones can do that.

What all will these moving quotes cover?
It really depends upon which company you are checking, because individual companies will provide different bits of information to go along with their moving quotes. For the most part, the companies will provide you with an idea on price per 100 pounds, price per mile that they have to travel, and any special fees that go along with hiring a moving company. They will sometimes include moving quotes on a piece by piece basis, especially for heavy furniture. This is because it takes individual trips to move these large pieces, and that will require a certain amount of man power to pull off.

What special additions are included in moving quotes?
One of the things that many moving companies will go ahead and include in your quote is the price of moving insurance. Typical auto insurance will cover your things while they are in transit, but the company will often offer some other sort of protection. This covers your valuables against things like breaking and scratching when they are being moved. These things are not always included in the original price quote, though, so you will need to check and make sure that it’s already written into your quote. Otherwise, you can expect to pay more in the end if you want extra protection.

What information should I include when shopping for moving quotes?
It is in your best interest to be completely up front about each and every one of your items. You will need to know exactly how many boxes and furniture items you need to be moved, and you will also need to have a rough estimate on the weight of these things. You probably won’t be able to get an exact weight figure, but you need to be as close as possible so that your moving quotes are accurate.