Moving tips cover important areas / questions one should think about before starting the moving process. The entire site can help you prep - pack - hire - insure - ship - move & save money altogether! When planning a move, it is essential to  keep the process safe, smooth and affordable. My Moving Guide will help you prepare for one of the least favorite tasks in modern life - moving!

For Estimates:

Before you are going to sign any agreement ask your company to provide you with a specialist estimator.
Don’t invite anyone into your home for a cost estimate until you have performed a background check. Don't be tempted by persuasive telemarketers with empty promises. Take the time to protect yourself, your belongings and most importantly, your family. Make sure that you arrange all your moving process ahead of time approximately one - two months in advance in order not to rush with bad decisions without knowing the company that you will hire for your move.

Distance & Weight are major parts to a mover's estimate.

Most people don't know the total weight of their belongings. Use the chart bellow as a weight estimator. Ask your contact to provide you with services rates as you see in the chart below, in order to assist your budgeting. Note, movers will not be able to determine the exact weight or volume of your shipment until they arrange a special estimator to inspect the goods at your home. Even so it will be only an estimate.

 
Obtain a written cost estimate before hiring a mover
Most companies give free estimates, so be sure to ask ahead of time. Check your estimate see what kind of contract the moving company’s offering you, is it binding or not binding, read it carefully, however, the final cost may differ. 

No license - no moving contract
Don't deal with any company that does not have a licence. A licensed company should also be able to demonstrate that it carries worker's compensation insurance to protect the company and its customers. When you contact the licensing authority, ask if the company had in good standing for several years. You don't want a company that lost its license and is now operating under an new name. Here, you need to know the names of the owner(s) to track their license history.Consumers who have disputes with moving companies usually file complaints with local business bureaus or associations. Call your local Better Business Bureau to determine if the company has any outstanding complaints

Factors influencing the moving cost to consider when hiring a mover:

1. Size – The cost of moving is all about the volume/ or weight of your goods. In order to save don’t take things you will no longer have to use.

2. Distance – On the majority of companies (not local movers) distance is a factor, therefor find an interstate mover in order to provide you with a competitive service rate.

3. Season - The season is also a factor of your moving cost. Moving during peak times, such as the summer or holidays, means that you'll pay more for your move.

4. Packing - Many professional moving companies will help you pack, but keep in mind that help costs money. A major cost factor when hiring a mover is deciding between a 'self-service' and a 'full-service' move. If you want to save money, it's best to pack as much as you can on your own, leaving only the hardest tasks for the movers.

 

In a self service move, the moving company transports your belongings from your old house to your new home, but you have to pack and unpack everything at both ends. In a full service move, the moving company not only transports everything, but also packs and unpacks all your household goods. Most people who hire professional movers choose full-service. Although you could do a self-service move to save money, long-distance moves with lots of heavy, valuable items are best left to the professionals.

Additional Costs to consider when hiring a mover:

 • Appliances - Many movers will disconnect major appliances (for example, washing machine, ice maker) at your old home and reconnect them at your new home. However, movers typically charge for this service.

 • Staircases - Do you love your new four-story house? Movers won't. Expect additional costs based on the number of staircases they need to use.

 • Pianos - Despite the beautiful music they make, pianos are big, unwieldy objects. Movers typically charge extra for each piano they move. Many companies will provide quotes online.

 • Disassembling complicated furniture: Wall units, pool table, computer desk, book case, etc.

 • Long Distance walking - If your home is in a gated community with no parking near your home, or in a large building where the loading dock is within a distance the moving company will add long distance carry fee.

 • Walk up/ Down high floors - When there is no elevator in your building or items does not fit the elevator the movers will require to handle the goods to the truck or to your home, at this stage you will require to notify the company with the this important information. The company will add charges for extra handling.

 • Special packing -advise your mover/ shipper with all special goods in your home, which will require special handling such as large mirrors, pianos, marble top tables, statues, paintings worth over $1000, etc. a professional mover will provide you with special padding, crating and packing of the mentioned goods.

 * Time is Money for Your Mover. Find out how they measure time - by the hour, 1/2 hr , 1/4 hr, etc.

Consider many factors that way effect time on your moving day as: stairs, elevators, long walk carry, moving distance, time travel, packing. and other services on your own size of move of your belongings.

  

Mover's Time Chart 

Type of Dwelling

Sq. Feet

No. of
Movers

Hours of
Loading

Hours of
Driving

Hours of
Unloading

Approx.
Total
Hours

Studio

450

2

1 1/2

1/2

1

2 - 4

1 Bedroom Apartment

700

2

2 1/2

1/2

1 1/2

3 - 5

2 Bedroom Apartment

900

3

2 1/2

1/2

1 1/2

4 - 6

2 Bedroom House

1,100

3

3 1/2

1/2

2

5 - 7

3 Bedroom House

1,750

4

4 1/2

1/2

3

6 - 9

Larger

5,000+

6+

6+

1/2+

3 1/2+

8 - 12+

• Visit the local moving company office and talk to the supervisor/ owner (in person).
If you can only take the time to talk to a office manager. Supervisor and owner by phone, ask about the firms experience and client list. If the list includes corporate clients for executive relocation services, call the client contact to verity references. If you live near by check the offices of your company see who they are, doe they look the same as they represent them self, feel good and confident about your moving company.

• Re-think your big 'heavy' ticket items.
It may not pay to move some things. Consider the value of a donation to a charitable organization, against the cost of moving something near it's life expectancy. The following all take local donations: Goodwill, Salvation Army & Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

• Disputes
Consumers who have disputes with moving companies usually file complaints with local business bureaus or associations. Call your local Better Business Bureau to determine if the company has any outstanding complaints.

If you have further questions or comments about hiring a mover, go to the moving blog to search the archives for more answers, post your questions and share your experiences. Our team would love to hear from you! 

Factors influencing the moving cost on your Moving Day:

1. Size – In case you decide to add more goods of your home on your shipment consider that the rate may very due to the fact that your estimated volume = lb / c/f has changed.