Moving home is undoubtedly a stressful experience. The entire process can be a minefield of possible disasters and rip-offs. Check out these tips for a smooth move and well-priced experience.
Hire a reputable mover with good track record
Avoid choosing the first company that pops up in your online search. There are a multitude of scam artists out there. Talk to friends and family to find out who they have used in the past and get a mover with a good reputation and track record to match it.
Get the moving estimate in person
It’s important that you invite the mover to your home to evaluate what needs to be moved in person. You may have special equipment or a playground or even a television set that needs to be taken off the wall and packed very carefully. Those sort of things can cost. By getting an estimate telephonically or online, chances are movers can’t give you an accurate costing and your final bill may differ greatly, putting you way over budget.
Get a binding estimate. A mover can’t legally charge you more than 10% beyond that
If a mover gives you a binding estimate, you can expect to pay the price quoted unless unforeseen circumstances arise. So if you something needs an extra shuttle service, for example, the mover has the right to charge you 10% more than originally quoted. Anything beyond that 10% has to be negotiated.
Know the difference between brokers and movers
When you select a mover, you need to really know who you are dealing with. Are you dealing with a company or the actual mover? Are you dealing with the people who are going to load your worldly possessions and transport them or are you dealing with the front men for a company who is going to do that? There are loads of middlemen out there and that can bring with it additional charges. It also puts a degree of distance between you and the ultimate service provider. It’s a good idea to deal directly with the mover who may also be able to offer you bulk moving supplies for an easier move.
Weighing it up
To make sure you’re being charged correctly and also in accordance to how much your moving load complete with bulk moving supplies really weighs, make sure you get a receipt from the movers that they receive at the weigh station.
Be very clear, but be flexible too
If you’re within a 24 hour window of your possessions arriving at your destination, do be a little flexible. You don’t know the exact time the moving truck will arrive so clear your schedule and make yourself available for when it does. You don’t want to leave the mover waiting on a busy street or blocking your new neighbors.
Moving isn't a one-man show
If a mover shows up alone and is the only one who is going to unload the truck, alarm bells should ring. You’ll need to call the company up right away and ask for reinforcements. Moving is a massive job and it can’t be left up to one person alone.
A worst-case scenario: here’s what you’ll need to do
What happens if a mover refuses to remove your goods from the loaded truck and insists you pay him more money that you think is reasonable? This puts you in a hostage-goods situation. When this happens it becomes a civil issue but not yet a criminal case. You could try calling for local law enforcement for the sake of presences which can work towards putting heat on the mover to release your goods. There are also certain associations that can help you negotiate with the mover and ensure that both parties understand what is going on. You’ll also need to be fully aware of your rights as a consumer and know which the proper actions to take are.
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