Whether moving to a new home or a business, finding a quality Moving Contractor is important. The act of relocation is stressful, and hiring the right company can make a big difference. Movers offer a full range of moving services from packing to storage. The company also offers optional services such as full-service unpacking and assembly of household items. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommends you choose a company that provides binding estimates, which can’t increase based on the scope of work.
In today’s age of social media and online reviews, a negative review can hurt a company for months or even years. A bad review can be written by a random stranger or a vengeful former customer, so knowing how to use reviews in your favor is important. It’s also worth remembering that reviews have been a ranking factor since 2009, so improving your reputation and gaining more citations can significantly impact your search engine results rankings. A few simple tips can help you determine which reviews are useful for your business and which ones are not.
If you want to move safely and efficiently, hiring a company with a lot of experience is important. An experienced moving contractor knows how to transport and pack your items so they don’t get damaged, how to load boxes, and how to protect your furniture. They also have the proper equipment to do the job properly. A good mover will have a truck and trailer large enough to carry your belongings, and they may also have additional equipment such as dollies and cargo belts to make moving as smooth as possible. You can also ask about the experience of their employees and whether they are full-time or part-time movers. These workers have more experience and are likely to do a better job than temporary or day-job movers. Before signing any contract, check that the movers have the proper permits and insurance coverage. These are essential to protecting you from fraud and liability.
If you hire a moving contractor, be sure to check their insurance coverage. It would be best if you asked about general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and commercial umbrella insurance. A good moving company should offer full value protection, which is a comprehensive option that protects your items at their replacement value. It also covers damages caused by natural disasters. You can also choose a plan that limits your liability to $100 per pound of valuables. This is a great option for items that are too valuable to list on shipping documents, such as jewelry or furs.
A certificate of insurance is an important document that you can request from your movers. It confirms their coverage for the specific move you’re planning. It should include building manager details, insurance confirmations, and a description of the damage covered by the policy. A moving contractor’s quote is a key part of your overall cost of a move. Be sure to get several quotes and ask for a detailed description of each service.
For local moves within 50 miles of the home, prices are typically based on hourly rates for a crew of movers. These can vary widely from one company to the next. In contrast, long-distance interstate movers must operate under a system known as a tariff that calculates the cost of a move using weight and mileage rather than hours of labor.
A well-crafted mover’s tariff should also give you a complete breakdown of their charges and any other important details about your move, including their insurance policies. Some movers will even include a little extra in their pricing, such as a small fee for packing your items.
Moving can be a time-consuming process. It takes a lot of planning and work, and you need to consider all the factors affecting the timeline. Many people move for different reasons. Some may be upgrading their home, while others are looking to move for a job. In any case, it’s important to plan your move ahead of time and give yourself enough time to complete the tasks that need to be done. This way, you won’t be disappointed when things don’t get finished as quickly as expected.
If you’re hiring professional movers, they should be able to give you an estimate of the time it will take for them to complete your move. The exact time will depend on the size of your house and the number of movers that are working for you. Another factor that will affect the time that it takes to complete your move is travel time. This is the time that it takes for your movers to drive from their warehouse to the first location where they load your belongings and back again to their warehouse at the end of your move.
