6 Critical Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company

Moving? Remembering back to the hassle and headache of my cross-country move from Los Angeles, I know the hassle and stress that moving can cause. Don't blindly hire a moving company, be prepared with a list of questions to protect yourself. Check out these 6 critical questions before you hire a moving company.

 

In order to save you some time and headache prior to your move, make sure to ask these 6 critical questions before signing on the dotted line. This way you can protect yourself before discovering that your items have been damaged or lost and the moving company won’t pay for the damages or you are stuck with an empty house while you wait and get the run around from the moving company. Keep your items safe by hiring the right moving company that you can trust. And to give you extra peace of mind, ask me and I have a great free moving concierge service that can help you as well.

    1.    Do You Give Binding Quotes?

A mover or broker may give you a quote over the phone that is not binding. The mover may give a binding or “not to exceed” quote after an in-person look at your items. Brokers don’t typically give binding quotes, so make sure you are speaking with a mover directly.

   2.    Does the Quote Include Extra Charges?

Charges such as long carry charges, appliance charges, parking charges, storage charges, flight charges, fuel charges and miscellaneous object charges may not be included in your quote. If you have large and heavy items, you’ll need to notify the moving company upfront before you receive your bill.
 
    3.    Will Items Be Transferred?

If you are moving long distance, sometimes your items may be transferred to a different truck. This transfer opens up more opportunities for your items to become damaged during the moving process. Ask in advance if you're uncomfortable with transfers. 
 
    4.    What Type of Payment is Accepted?

Don’t hire a mover if they only accept cash as payment. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you owe on delivery versus the amount you put down as a deposit and whether your deposit can be refunded. Many moving companies have a merchant account that does accept credit cards, so check and see if credit cards are accepted as a form of payment.
 
    5.    What Insurance is Included in My Quote?

The most basic coverage is 60 cents per pound, but some moving companies will offer an upgrade at a fair price – you just have to ask! You can also hire an outside insurance company to cover the move.
 
    6.    What is the Process if an Item is Lost or Damaged?

If you have insurance on your items or if your moving company includes insurance, then they are responsible for lost or damaged items. Typically, if an item is damaged during the move, the moving company will send you a check for the amount the item was worth so that you can replace it. If you move items yourself, you may not be reimbursed for an item that was damaged due to poor packaging.
 
What experiences have you had using movers versus moving the items yourself?

Modified by: Theresa Tscheschke Gunal ; Used courtesy of Jasser Ryan Go, Home Actions, LLC