What to Know Before Hiring Movers

Congratulations! You’ve just completed the exciting process of buying a brand new home and the big day has arrived – it’s time to move in! For new home owners who want to avoid the heavy lifting (literally), hiring movers will make your move easy.

What to Consider When Hiring Movers

Here are the main factors to consider when hiring a moving company to ensure you’ll get reliable help, get the most for your money, and make your move quick and simple.

Phone vs. Visual Cost Estimates

Some companies will attempt to provide you with a cost estimate for services over the phone by either asking you a long series of questions regarding the items you intend to move or have you fill out this information on their website. Other companies will insist on sending an agent to your home to visually inspect your items in hopes of creating a more detailed and correct cost estimate.

If possible, always seek out companies that utilize in-home cost estimates as they are more often correct compared to phone only and will help you avoid future stress and confusion.

Cost Factors to Consider

Now that you have an initial idea of whether a moving company will charge based on phone or visual inspection, here are a few other factors to take into consideration when determining the cost of hiring movers.

Weight or Cubic Feet?

Moving companies will calculate your estimate by one of two methods – total weight or total cubic feet of the items being moved. Cost estimates generated by total weight are typically more accurate and easier to verify after the move should any questions arise. Cubic feet estimates tend to be very subjective and may be influenced by how the company chooses to pack your items before they are loaded into the moving truck.

Binding or Non-Binding?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the types of estimates you may receive from moving companies.

“Non-Binding” Estimates

“Non-Binding” are estimates that are subject to change during the moving process if the company determines the original estimate was incorrect in some way or the inventory of items being transported no longer matches the original inventory estimate. While there have been instances when Non-Binding estimates and contracts have saved the customer money due to an initial over estimation, they more often than not will result in a greater final cost to the customer.

“Binding” Estimates

This type of moving contract will lock in the price so there are no surprises waiting for you once the move is under way. While binding estimates may tend to come in a bit higher in cost than non-binding, it may be worth the peace of mind knowing in advance the total cost to plan for in your moving budget.

“Binding Not to Exceed” Estimates

“Binding Not to Exceed” estimate and contract: in larger markets, with multiple companies competing for your contract, you may be able to obtain one of these contracts. This is similar to a Binding contract but includes a provision that will refund money back to you should the original estimate be higher than the expenses actually created during the move. You may have to ask for this type of estimate and contract as they are available but frequently not pitched by the moving companies during the initial cost estimate visit.

Additional Services Costs and Fees

Aside from the estimations for moving your items, it's possible that there could be other costs or fees for additional services provided by the moving company. This may include packaging items for you, moving items more than a certain distance from your house to the truck, moving items up and down a preset amount of stairs and having insufficient parking areas close to your home for the truck to be loaded.

To avoid any surprises at the end of the job, it's always wise to ask if there are any additional fees that you'll be on the hook for before hiring any company to help you move.

What to Look For in a Moving Company

Gather the following pieces of information from all moving companies you are considering hiring.

• The company’s full name as well as any other names it may utilize to do business.

• The physical address of the agent’s main office along with phone numbers, websites, and email addresses.

• References from the company that include valid phone numbers.

• The prospective company’s MC (motor carrier) and USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) license numbers. If possible, ask the agent for a copy of the inventory list they have just created during the visit so you may double check their accuracy.

What Does Moving Insurance Cover?

In most states, licensed movers will include declared liability coverage which typically pays out $0.60 per pound of an items declared value. For most customers, the included liability coverage will be insufficient and additional valuation insurance will be needed.

Your moving company will most likely offer additional coverage options and outside insurance companies will be an option as well. Be sure to check your home owner’s policy as some moving coverage may be included that you are not aware of that may help keep insurance costs down.

Packed by Owner

While you may save some money packing your own boxes ahead of the move, this may also negate any insurance coverage you may have purchased should items be damaged in transit. The industry terms this “PBO”, packed by owner, and will typically only payout a claim if a listed inventory item is lost during the move but not if damage occurs.

In many cases, you may only wish to self-pack boxes and items that you are not concerned with should they become damaged and allow your movers to pack the rest to ensure proper valuation insurance coverage.

Interstate Moving

If you’re looking to hire an interstate moving company, it’s important to note that they must have additional insurance coverage because they are transporting your goods across state lines. In addition to standard coverages like general liability, cargo insurance, and commercial auto, interstate movers often must meet federal insurance minimums set by agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Proper insurance is essential not only for regulatory compliance but also to protect the business from costly claims that could arise while operating across state lines, making coverage needs more extensive than for local and intrastate moving companies.

What About Moving Pods?

You’ve probably already seen a metal “moving pod” sitting in a neighbor’s driveway. Moving pods allow you the flexibility of loading and moving on your schedule. Moving pods allow for your items to be transported by a professional driver and frequently include storage options once picked up enabling you to more accurately have your items arrive at your new home the same day you do.

Pods do require a permanent drop off area for loading which may not be possible for all customers especially if they reside in an apartment complex. For many, moving pods offer a viable option to self-moving or professional movers and you may want to explore the logistics and costs of these companies during your pre-move discovery process.

If you decide not to hire professional movers to help you out, we recommend checking out this article for additional advice on moving without professional help.

More Resources for Moving:

• Checklist for Moving Into Newly Built Home

• 8 Money-Saving Tips to Know When Hiring Movers

• Moving Tips for Families