12 Steps to Hiring a Mover

The process of finding a good mover can seem daunting. But doing a little research is worth it. By shopping around, you can save money (sometimes more than $1,000) and avoid scams. Here are 12 steps to help you through the process.

1. Get recommendations. Ask friends, coworkers, and local real estate agents. Look in the phone book for moving companies that have offices near your home. You’re going to want to get an in-person estimate of how much your move will cost. Don’t rely on any estimate that comes from someone who hasn’t looked in every one of your closets. Don’t assume that big-name companies are best. Do not get estimates through websites that offer to “find you a mover.” Find the mover yourself and avoid the numerous scams associated with some of these sites. And don’t use household-goods brokerage services that find a moving company for you―they are not regulated by the laws that movers must follow.

2. Do an initial screening. When you have a list of recommended movers, go online to do a quick background check (you can do a more thorough check later). Call or go to the website of the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). You also can call or e-mail the American Moving and Storage Association (moving.org, 703-683-7410, info@moving.org) to see if a moving company is a member, which means it has agreed to abide by the organization’s published tariffs and to participate in its arbitration program. AMSA membership is voluntary. As long as a moving company checks out in all other ways, the fact that it is not a member shouldn’t rule it out.

Be sure to check the consumer-advocacy sites movingscam.com. Each of these has a blacklist of companies with a history of consumer complaints, as well as tips and general information about the moving industry. You can also do a search using the company name at Rip-off Report (ripoffreport.com).

3. You should end up with at least three or four companies to call for an in-home estimate. If you’re moving to another state, ask if the company will give you a written binding estimate or, even better, a binding not-to-exceed estimate. Both types of estimates put a guaranteed cap on what you will pay for your move. While nonbinding estimates are legal (as long as they’re given free), as the U.S. Department of Transportation moving guide warns, “You should expect the final cost to be more than the estimate.” And while interstate movers are allowed to charge you for binding estimates, most will offer them free. Estimates for interstate moves will be based on the weight of the items you’re moving and the distance of the move. For moves within the same state, rules about estimates vary: Some states (such as California) require that movers give a written and signed binding estimate; others (like Illinois) forbid them to. Either way, estimates for these movers are based on the amount of time the move will take.

Want a timeline to keep the hiring process on track? See the Moving Checklist.

4. When an estimator comes to your home, show him everything you want to have moved―in the closets, the backyard, the basement, the attic. If on your moving day the foreman believes you have significantly more stuff than was calculated in your estimate, he can “challenge” the original estimate (before everything is on the truck, not after). He can’t force you to pay a higher amount, but he doesn’t have to move your stuff for the original amount, either. And at that point you probably don’t have a lot of other options. Also, make sure the estimator knows about any conditions at your new home that might complicate the move, such as stairs, elevators, or a significant distance from the curb to the closest door. While the estimator is at your home, get as much information as you can about the company. Make sure it will be moving you itself, not contracting the job out to another mover. Find out how long the company has been in business. (You want one that’s been around a few years at least, and ideally 10 or more.) By the time the estimator leaves, you should have collected all of the following:

• The company’s full name and any other names under which it does business.
• The company’s address, phone numbers, and e-mail and website addresses.
• Names and contact information for the company’s references.
• USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) and MC (motor carrier) license numbers.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Federal law requires any interstate mover to provide you with this guide, which is the official rule book of the interstate moving industry. (You can download a copy at fmcsa.dot.gov.) For in-state moves, movers are regulated by the state’s department of transportation or its public utilities or commerce commission. Some states publish their own moving-guide pamphlets.

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5. Review the estimate. The estimate may be a combined document that, when signed by you and the moving-company representative, serves as your order for service and bill of lading, too. These, along with the inventory list created when your goods are loaded, are the basic documents any mover should provide you with. Make sure you see the words “written binding estimate” up top, as well as the mover’s signature with a date at the bottom. For an interstate move, the estimate should clearly describe the type and quantity of goods you’re shipping, the distance to your new home, when your things will be picked up and delivered, and any additional services (such as packing) and supplies the moving company is providing. If you want to purchase additional insurance from your mover (above the standard 60 cents a pound that the mover’s insurance covers), make sure you understand the costs and details of that coverage. For an in-state move, for which you can’t get a binding estimate, you should still get a written estimate that sets out the hourly rates and any additional costs you may incur (for supplies, tolls, driving time to and from the mover’s facilities). If you’re not sure about anything in the estimate, call and ask. And have the company send you a revised written estimate if necessary―don’t just take someone’s word for anything.

6. As you get estimates, collect them in a brightly colored (that is, hard-to-lose) moving folder. Keep this folder open in plain sight as later estimators come in. This shows them you’re doing your homework, which encourages them to be honest and perhaps give you a more competitive quote.

7. When you’ve gotten all your estimates in, compare the bids. Be wary of any company that comes in much lower than the others. Look at high bids to see where the extra costs are coming from. Call and ask questions if you don’t understand anything. If you have several reasonable-sounding bids from reputable companies, don’t be afraid to negotiate to get the best possible rate. Especially in a market where there’s lots of competition, most movers will work with you on pricing.

8. Now check out the contenders in more detail. Take the information you’ve gathered and get back online. First, make sure they’re incorporated in your state―and confirm how long they’ve been in business―by checking your secretary of state’s office. Some have searchable databases of businesses online; if not, call the number in the government pages of the phone book.

9. Next, make sure your moving company has the license and insurance it needs to move you legally. (Yes, there are movers who solicit business without the legal authority to do so.) Go to safersys.org, the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and enter the company’s USDOT number and click on “Search” (you can also search by name or MC number). If you have an accurate DOT number, you’ll be shown a screen with lots of information on the company. Here’s what to look for:

• The company’s name, address, and phone numbers. Are they the same ones the company gave you?
• The “Out of Service” field, at the upper left of the form, should say “No.”
• The fields labeled “Power Units” and “Drivers” tell you how many trucks and drivers the company has. A company that claims to do 100 moves a month but has only two trucks deserves skeptical treatment.
• Under “Operation Classification,” there should be an X next to “Auth. for Hire.”
• Under “Carrier Operation,” if you are moving out of state, there should be an X next to “Interstate.”
• Under “Cargo Carried,” there should be an X next to “Household Goods.”
• Farther down, in the “Inspections/Crashes” section, you should be concerned if the company’s average is much higher than the national average shown. In the “Safety Rating” section, if there has been a review, the results should be “Satisfactory.”
• At the bottom of the page, click on the “FMCSA Licensing & Insurance site” link. On the next page, click on either the “HTML” or the “Report” button under “View Details” to get to the “Motor Carrier Details” page. Under the column “Authority Type,” there are three listings: “Common,” “Contract,” and “Broker.” The “Authority Status” column to the right tells you if the company’s authority is active. At least “Common” should be listed as active, with “No” under “Application Pending.”
• In the next table down, there should be a “Yes” under “Household Goods.”
• The bottom table contains insurance information. A moving company is required to have both bodily-injury and property-damage (BIPD) insurance ($750,000 minimum) and cargo insurance filed. Under the heading “Insurance on File,” BIPD should be at least $750,000, and “Cargo” should say “Yes.”
• You can also call the FMCSA to get information on the status of a company’s licensing (202-366-9805) and insurance (202-385-2423).

10. Finally, call the FMCSA’s Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline at 888-368-7238 (open 24/7) and ask about complaints against your moving company. And, if possible, go to the company’s address and check out the facilities in person.

11. Now you can select a mover. You should feel confident about any company you’ve run through the checks above. Confirm the dates and details of your move, and make sure you get a signed order for service and a bill of lading.

12. On moving day, get a written copy of the mover’s inventory list, provide the movers with specific directions for getting to your new home, and make sure you have a number where you can reach the movers throughout the move.

8 Tips For A Successful Job Relocation

Back in June I laid out the 20 questions you should ask yourself before you agree to relocate for a job. It’s a big decision that demands a lot of consideration—but as it turns out, that might be the easy part.

“The move itself could be one of the most stressful changes in life,” says Marjie Terry, VP of business development and client service at Great on the Job. “Even if you’re super excited about the new position or company, moving is still complicated.”

Ted Stimpson, president and CEO of MyMove.com, agrees. He says: “As with any move, relocating for a job can be a complicated and stressful process. But the good news is that you’ve been recognized as a valuable asset to your new company or office, and employers are typically more than willing to help make your transition a smooth one.” Plan ahead for your move, and utilize any relocation packages offered by your employer, he says. “And if things start to get stressful, remember that the reason for your move is a positive and exciting one.”

So, what exactly makes relocating so complicated? Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, star of MTV’s Hired! and author of Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad, says, among other things, the process requires you to find a new place to call home, become acquainted with your new environment, master a new job, and build a new support network—all at the same time. “A lot of hard work will go into being successful at all of these things, but hopefully you find out that it’s everything you’ve wanted.”

Stimpson says today’s real estate market doesn’t make it any easier. “Selling a house is one of the biggest complications that relocating homeowners face,” he says. “Paying two mortgages is daunting—and often not feasible—which leaves many in the challenging position of selling their current home while securing housing in their new city of employment.”

Another challenge faced by two-income families: finding employment for the relocating employee’s spouse or partner, he adds. And if you have children, you’ll probably worry about their transition to the new environment, as well.

“It’s extremely difficult to be 100% focused on your new job while dealing with all of the logistics of the move,” Terry says. “You want to make great impressions on your new colleagues but everything is new and unfamiliar, so it takes working double time in the beginning to make it all work.”

So, if you want to have a successful transition, here’s what you’ll need to do:

Stay organized. Much of moving related stress comes from managing all of the logistics, like leaving your current home, and finding a new one, Terry says. “Try to be very organized.  Keep to-do lists for both your departure and arrival locations so that you can stay on top of everything.”

Know what’s available to you.  Many companies offer a variety of relocation services and most are flexible in what they provide, Kahn says. Make sure you take the time to learn what’s available to you—and use it. For example, some companies will pay for things like house hunting trips, transportation of your cars, assistance in selling or buying your home, help figuring out how to rent out a property, and event organizers to settle you into your new home. They might also be able to help your spouse with job placement or employment leads in your new city, Stimpson adds.

If your employer doesn’t typically offer relocation assistance, ask for it. If you learn that assistance isn’t typically given, don’t be afraid to negotiate, Stimpson says. Start by researching moving costs (truck rentals, quotes from professional movers, transportation expenses, temporary housing, storage, etc.) so that you can present your employer with a detailed estimate of how much your relocation is expected to cost you. “Having this supporting information is crucial to the success of your request,” he says. Also ask about preferred providers when it comes to relocation companies and real estate agents. Reimbursement for your relocation may be contingent upon the usage of designated professionals with whom your employer has established relationships.

Take time to get to know your new environment before you move. If you have the luxury of taking some time to explore your new area before arriving, do so, Terry says. “Explore the neighborhoods in the area to make sure that you find the best suited one for your lifestyle,” she says.

If you’re not able to visit the new city before you move, take the time talk to people that live there or used to live there, and “get as much perspective as you can on what you’re walking into,” Kahn says.

You should also read the local news or any local blogs to understand the vibe and learn what’s going in your new town, Terry adds.

Know the cost of living in the new city. There are significant differences in cost of living among US cities and states, Stimpson says. “Typically, these differences will be compensated for in your salary, but it’s still important to check.” Do the research and plan accordingly.

Don’t make any long-term commitments. “Renting at first is a great way to settle into a new city without making a commitment to a neighborhood you might end up not liking,” Terry says.

Kahn agrees. He says a common mistake many people make when relocating for a job is to buy a home or commit to a long-term lease immediately, and later find that they don’t like the neighborhood, or the job.

Stimpson says to ask about temporary corporate housing. “Some companies offer apartments or condos for a fixed length of time to allow relocating employees to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings and make an informed housing decision.”

Find out if any of your moving expenses are tax-deductible.  Even if your new employer doesn’t offer any financial assistance for your relocation, you might be eligible for partial reimbursement come tax time, which can definitely ease some of your financial stress, Stimpson says. (See IRS Tax Topic 455 for details on which expenses qualify.) “Generally, the moving tax deductions requirements are: the move must be because you started a new job; your new home must be at least 50 miles from your old home and your old job. (This is to prevent folks from simply moving across the street every time they changed jobs in a design to take advantage of the moving tax deduction.); and you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the last 52 following your move. Self-employed movers need to work at least 78 weeks over the last 2 years to qualify.”

Build a social support network.  “Use your friends to network to make new friends in the same way that you would try to network for a job,” Kahn says. Use online services like MeetUp to find others in the area that have similar interests or hobbies. Your new company may also offer clubs and interest groups to meet new people. The faster you can build a support network, the more at home you will feel and the happier you will be with your decision to move, he says.

“Establishing a social network in your new town is going to make you feel more grounded and happy, which will allow you to perform better in your new job,” Terry adds.

5 tips on how to find an affordable moving company near you

If you are looking for affordable movers to take care of your upcoming relocation, you can be sure that you aren’t the only one who is doing it. It is a well-known secret that in the end, a residential move can become a rather expensive undertaking that will inevitably burden the family budget. And while it is a fact that there are proven cost-saving tricks and tips to lower the overall price, which particular company you choose as your moving partner will pre-determine not only how fluidly the entire move goes, but also how much you are going to pay for the professional services you hire. In many cases, the single decision of which moving company to trust with your things will influence the outcome of your relocation. Unsurprisingly, the final cost of the move is the determining factor in how your move will unfold. However, as vital as it is, the price alone is not the only thing you should take into consideration when moving to a new house. After all, you do not want to find cheap movers you want to hire an affordable, high quality and dependable moving company all in one. Stop asking, “Where can I find cheap movers?” and look into finding a perfectly affordable moving company that will also provide you with great moving services. The truth is that if you do your research in advance and play your cards right, you stand a great chance of disproving everyone who says that affordable services are almost always synonymous with poor quality. Here are 5 tips on how to find an affordable moving company near you.

1) Read genuine moving reviews

Finding and reading moving reviews and the personal experiences testimonials and performance ratings is always a good way to locate good cheap movers. By doing this, you’ll get a more suitable idea of what to expect from your future moving partners regarding their professionalism, affordability, reliability, and attitude. The good moving companies know how important their online reputations are and therefore do their best to keep them clean. And to keep them presentable, they offer the high-quality services that all their future customers come to expect from them. This isn’t something you should discount. Where to find these cheap moving services? A great place to find hundreds of legitimate moving reviews, and thus increase your chances of finding a professional and affordable moving company, is to visit your local moving website where you can find furniture movers close to your pickup location. As an unwritten rule, concentrate on dependable, cheap movers with overall ratings of 3 stars and above.

2) Ask friends and family for recommendations

Your search for a cheap local or cross country moving company should begin with friends, colleagues, family members, and neighbors. These are the people you can trust and who you know will not purposely deceive you for whatever reason. Maybe you know someone who has moved recently or knows another person who has. Remember that all you are doing right now is gather valuable information by exploring your possible sources of information. Whenever a moving company is brought up, make sure that you ask the person if they have been left satisfied with the services provided. And, most crucially, depending on how close you are to the person who has recently moved, be ready to ask for more details about the move, and its financial side in particular.

3) Do your own price reduction part

It is not easy to find cheap and reliable movers for your upcoming relocation, but the money you are going to save as a result should be worth the time and effort that you invest. However, to notice the difference, you will need to do your part to save some money. Aside from hiring an affordable moving company, be sure to take advantage of additional ways to make your move even cheaper.

One way is to optimize your household items and personal possessions, getting the packing materials cheap or packing up your things by yourself, to name a few.

4) Check the moving company’s legal status

Sometimes your efforts to find an affordable moving company can prove to be counterproductive as there are, unfortunately, dishonest moving companies that disguise themselves as “affordable” by offering uncharacteristically low prices to lure in clients. And later, having secured the job, they come up with various ways to inflate the relocation price. When looking for cheap movers the risk of contacting one of these companies is somewhat higher. To pay less and still stay safe, you have to check your mover’s legal status, and whether they are properly licensed and accredited, and whether they are adequately insured. Do this by visiting the Department of Transportation website and looking up your shortlisted companies’ USDOT Number, (the proof that they are legally licensed to operate as a shipper of household goods).

5) Ask for and compare moving estimates

Before you hire cheap movers, you need to know how affordable they are. So, you have to request moving costs estimates and compare the prices, and the conditions of all the received offers. Remember that when you need cheap movers, you will have to resort to your best shopping skills to find the ultimate combination of price and quality that will work best for you. Being a smart shopper of moving services, do not make the beginners mistake of accepting the very first offer that you find. Instead, perform a careful comparative analysis of the given prices and most importantly, the additional services that are included in the estimates. To determine the best cheap local or state to state movers, ask each moving company for good ways to make your move even less expensive. Also, explore all your options for reducing the final price further such as current promotions, additional discounts for first-time clients, seasonal price discounts and more.

If you are looking for high quality and affordable moving services to get you to your new home then why not hire us at Cross Country Movers Group and we can help you to move to and from anywhere in the country.

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR PACKING

There are quite a few things to take care of when you plan a big move, like changing your address, finding a moving company, and packing up your home. It’s easiest to pack up when you don’t have clutter to sift through, and the right packing materials can make all the difference. Remember to stay organized and read on for more on these tips for preparing your home for packing.

Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter can stress you out, and if you don’t handle it properly, moving can, too. You can make your life a whole lot easier by getting rid of your clutter well before your move. Dealing with your clutter can be a freeing experience, and it can be helpful for others, as well. Walk around your house and look in each room and closet, and think about which items you use and which ones have just been taking up space. Consider donating the items you don’t use to friends or charity.

Gather Your Materials

Many people make the unfortunate mistake of using poorly constructed packing materials, and this comes back to bite them during their move. Instead of going the cheap route and scavenging materials from local stores, buy packing materials that were specifically meant for moving. Find sturdy boxes that your belongings won’t fall through, packing tape that will hold them closed, and thick markers so you can label each box with its contents. Pick up some quality materials and take some of the stress out of moving.

Organize Each Room

It helps to break a large task down into smaller tasks, so take things room by room when you’re moving. Pack up each room separately so all of your related belongings stay together. This also gives you an opportunity to label your boxes by room, which makes it easier to unpack.

If you need help moving in Silicon Valley, please don’t hesitate to call Silicon Valley Moving & Storage at (408) 941-0600. Our team offers packing help, moving resources, and storage solutions. Learn all about our services by visiting our website or stopping by to meet with us.