5 Pro Moving Tips: How to Save Time, Money, And Stress

The sunny weather of late spring may make many think of the upcoming summer days and how many times they can make it to the beach this year. But it’s also the season for packing up all of their worldly belongings and settling into a new home.

About 43 million Americans move to a new apartment or home every year. If you’re among those millions this year, take a deep breath and release all of your stress about your impending move. Use these tips to successfully work with a professional moving company and save yourself the time, money, and stress of doing it yourself.

Ask About Discounts

The costs of moving from one home to another add up quickly. If you’re a member of AARP, AAA, or a similar group, check to see if you get any discounts for working with certain companies. These groups will often partner with moving companies, truck rental companies, and other moving service providers to help you save money on your move.

Do Some Digging

Moving families are typically under a lot of stress, making them targets for any companies with bad intentions. Before you sign a contract with a moving service, check online resources to ensure that they have the proper licenses.

For state-to-state moves, a company must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can check this agency’s website to see if your moving company is registered and if customers have made complaints against it. The company should have a local license as well that you can check against state agencies. You can also check to see if a company is certified by the American Moving & Storage Association, as well as how their reviews look on sites like Yelp and Angie’s List.

Nail Down Your Insurance

While every moving company is required to assume liability for the goods they are transporting, there are two main levels of liability from which you can choose. The most comprehensive plan is the Full (Replacement) Value Protection. Under this plan, your mover has two options whenever an item is lost, destroyed, or damaged while in their custody. The mover can either repair the item to restore it to the same condition it was in before they received it, or replace the item with another of like kind and quality. A mover is allowed to limit this protection to apply to only articles of extraordinary value, which is any item whose value exceeds $100 per pound. Be sure to ask for a complete explanation of this limitation before agreeing to this insurance.

The most economical insurance plan is Released Value Protection. Moving companies typically offer this plan at no additional cost, but it has minimal protection. With this plan, your mover is only liable for up to 60 cents per pound, per article. You can also purchase moving insurance from a third-party company and your homeowner’s insurance may already cover liability for moving.

Arrange A Home Visit Before Hiring A Mover

When you’re trying to choose the right mover, you’re going to want estimates from each company in the running. To get the most accurate estimate you should have the mover visit your home. This will allow the mover to review everything that you’re moving so that they can provide the most accurate estimate possible. Before the movers give you a quote, you can also give them a household inventory list that details all of the items they’ll be moving. This allows them to see it all on one concise document and helps you keep track of what you need to entrust to the movers.

Ask About Fees

Before you get your final moving bill, be sure to ask your moving company about what kind of extra fees they charge. Many companies will charge extra for moving things up and down stairs or packing fees for items that are not properly packed. They may even charge if there is not a close parking space for the moving truck. Save yourself these extra charges and the stress of having to pay unexpected fees by asking the moving company about every single fee they charge.

Moving companies are meant to simplify a move, but choosing the right one is an intricate process in itself. Be sure to cover all of your bases by asking the right questions and doing your own research. You’ll soon find a moving company you love and they’ll have you peacefully settled in your new home before you know it.

J.H. Craig started a commodities hauling business in 1918, hauling cattle, feed, and hay from the rural farms of Virginia to the urban markets of the DC area. In the 1940s, the area started evolving from farmland to residential communities. We had to change with the times, so we began moving people into their homes after hours and in our spare time. Our great-grandfather, Dick and his brothers Earl, Jim, and Bob decided to go full time. Still family-owned and operated, we provide quality moving services across the US – from Maine to Florida and as far west as the Mississippi River. Allow us to handle your next move.

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