Photo by stanOn the list of stressful events in our lives, experts tell us that moving ranks pretty high. It means a big change in the lives of all your family members. There are some things you can do to make moving day as simple as possible, and the most important item is choosing a good mover.
Don’t expect to find someone who really cares about your move on the internet. The most successful moves are conducted by experts who live in your neighborhood. Ask friends or coworkers for recommendations, or use your local phone book. Visit the moving company’s office if at all possible.
The staff should be friendly; they’ll be shepherding you through a difficult time. But it’s also important to hire someone who is insured. Maybe you can find someone with a truck who will transport your stuff for a lesser fee, but he’s probably not a moving professional. You want someone who has a business license and insurance.
It’s important to note that you must hire a motor carrier, not a moving broker. In recent years there have been scams involving brokers. People mistake them for the moving company, and all they are moving is your money-from your pocket to theirs. Ask the rep if the company is a motor carrier. You can even ask the person for the USDOT number-U.S. Department of Transportation-or the docket number, and check it online at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website to be certain they’re licensed. Tell him you were advised to check this out! This site will also let you check their insurance.
Someone at the moving company will ask you: Where do you live now? Where are you moving? How many steps are at each place? He will probably ask you how many rooms of furniture you have as a way to give you a quote. Many of them will probably quote you without coming to your home, but you can insist. This is a good time to tell him, by the way, if you have a huge book collection or something else unusual that’s going with you.
You’ll pay more, by the way, for an interstate move than a local move, even if it’s just fifty miles away. Get three quotes, and then go back online to check out the companies at your local Better Business Bureau.
Your chosen mover should offer you a booklet about your rights and responsibilities, and if he doesn’t you can ask him for it. He should not ask you for a deposit before the move. A very small deposit-just one or two hundred bucks-is okay to prove your good faith. He will expect payment when he arrives at the new destination, before he unloads your things. Ask him ahead of time what form of payment he accepts. Tips aren’t necessary unless you feel strongly that you want to pay one.
Your contract should specify how much the move costs. Before you sign it, be certain there are no blanks-draw a line through them-no exceptions to this! Your mover, by law, can charge you no more than 10% above the cost he quoted you unless you agree to more in exchange for additional services.
If your property sustains damages, you have up to nine months to file a claim, but for quickest remedies you should file as soon as possible. Save packing materials! If the mover disagrees with your claim, he is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association to engage in arbitration.
Be sure to visit Automated Homefinder to search for homes in:
Boulder Colorado real estate
Longmont Colorado real estate
Louisville Colorado real estate
Lafayette Colorado real estate
Broomfield Colorado real estate.
