Here are the top 10 moving related mistakes:
- Rushing for the DIY option
Movers are bad and incompetent. Why paying someone to move you when you can do it by yourself. Well, actually most of the people who endure a self-move come to spend, if not more, the same amount of money they would spend if they went for a professional, reputable moving company. And besides the money, what about safety – can you really move bulky or fragile items without risking your own safety, without damaging the items or the property. Don’t act as Mr. Mighty – can you drive a van, or do you really think you can call a couple of friends to move your piano just like that. Make reasonable choices, no hasty decisions. - Bad timing
See, if you are moving with a couple of suitcases, then the organization of your move would last a few hours. But if we are talking about 3 bedroom house, it takes time – at least 2-3 weeks. You have to call movers, compare services, research companies, change address, cancel utility providers and and local subscriptions, pack all of your items. And if it is a summer move, mind that movers are busy during that season. If you require an express moving service, be ready to pay more money. - Not obtaining at least 5 quotes
When looking for movers, ask for at least five quotes before making a decision on a company. Require movers to come to your home and give you a visual estimate. Estimates over phone and email can’t be as accurate as on-site estimates. Also, ask your movers to give you an extensive estimation including – rates for packing materials and labor, stairs and long-carry fees, bulky and fragile items handling fees, rates for storage and shuttle services. Don’t go for the lowest estimate. It’s a common practice for rogue movers to give low estimates just to book your job and then increasing the final bill, sometimes adding thousands of dollars to it. - Paying big deposits
Deposit shouldn’t exceed 20% of the estimation. If movers ask for a big deposit in advance, this should be a sign that you might be working with rogue movers. - Not Researching movers
Before calling the shots and choosing your mover, run a background research. Check at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration online database to find out if the potential movers are licensed or have safety violations noted in their record. All you need to run the check is the USDOT number of the carrier. You might also read reviews on the company to learn about the experience of the previous customers. - Packing poorly
Leave enough time for the packing job. If you start packing your household items in the last minute, you will be in a hurry to finish the job timely, hence you might make a mistake. Pack your electronics and all fragile items carefully. Make sure you supply yourself with all the needed protective moving boxes and materials – different-sized boxes, bubble wrapping, peanuts, cushion foam etc. Read some packing tips or consult a pro for the job. Do not forget to label all of the boxes, especially the ones with fragile items. Also, do not pack hazardous goods, explosive or corrosive materials. - Obtaining Released Value protection
Under Federal Law every licensed interstate mover has to provide you with two valuation options to choose from – Full Value and Released Value. The Released Value is offered at no additional cost, but the protection is minimal – the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per item. Do not go for the basic valuation in case you are moving items of extraordinary value – value exceeds $100 per pound. Do not forget to declare such items. Also, know that by packing your items on your own, you might limit carrier liablity. - Skip the cleaning
Sure, cleaning is one of those not-so-awesome tasks to do, but remember that your security deposit is at stake. The property owner might not give your deposit back if there are any issues. Repair broken things and clean the mess after movers load your belongings and head up to the new location. If you want to save time, buy the cleaning agents in advance. - Sign blank pages
Along with the legwork there is a lot of paperwork involved in the moving process. Do not sign blank pages regardless of what reason your mover asks you to do so. If you don’t fully understand all of the clauses that the Bill of Lading implies, do not sign it. In case of a dispute with your mover, this contract will be the only proof of evidence you will be able to base your arguments on. - Feeling hopeless
Remember, it is not late to ditch your movers on the moving day, if you feel you have to do so. If feel you are being victimized by rogue movers, call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hot line at 888-368-7238.
Author Bio: Mauella Irwin is a relocation professional, one of the esteemed contributors to MyMovingReviews.com in-depth moving-related tips and advice.