How to Choose a Mover

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How to Choose a Mover

Each year, 39 million Americans will pack up and move their belongings.

All moving companies are not alike.

More than 10,000 cases of mover fraud have been reported in the United States since 2002.

The lowest quoted or estimated price is not necessarily the total or final cost of the move.

My name is Charles Wolchansky, Director of Marketing at Armstrong Moving & Storage, an agent for United Van Lines. I am both a certified moving consultant, and a certified relocation professional, and I am making this video to help you avoid potential problems with your move.

Here are some things to consider and some tips that are designed to protect your family before you choose a moving company:

Planning ahead can reduce the potential problems in the moving process. It is important to try to make arrangements for your move well in advance- start at least four to six weeks before the moving date.

Ask your friends, relatives and business associates about movers they have used and liked:
• After you obtain some word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family or your Realtor, and made a list of prospective moving companies, contact them by phone.
• Chances are their recommendations are listed in the yellow pages.
• Most moving companies also have Web sites.

When talking to the movers:

Ask them the number of years they have been in business

Get their Department of Transportation (DOT) or state license number.

You can go to SaferSys.org, a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Web site and search for the company using the DOT license number to see safety information or use your state regulatory agency.

Ask if the mover is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association and the Better Business Bureau.

Inquire if they have an office in your destination city.

Take a drive past the mover’s office and warehouse or stop in for a visit. Does it reflect the level of quality and professionalism you expect in a service provider?

Do: Use the Internet to research moving companies and learn a lot about your destination.

Don’t: Rely on the Internet to choose your moving company or assume everything on the internet is up to date and accurate.

• Never rely on a quote provided sight-unseen over the phone or Internet.

Once you have narrowed down the list of movers, schedule at least two in-home estimates, which should be provided free of charge. An accurate estimate is critical for a stress-free move. It is imperative that you get a visual assessment to determine the approximate cost of your move, as well as the space needed on the van for your household goods. How attentive was the sales person when conducting the survey of your home to prepare the estimate? Do you have confidence that he or she will be there to help you through the planning, packing and loading, and after delivery?

The estimate is the “foundation” for what will occur on moving day. Make sure you show the salesperson everything to be moved, specifying any items off-premises or other items to be added later. Don’t forget about the items in the attic or a major piece of furniture that you sent away for repairs. The representative then will compute the approximate cost of your move and give a written “estimated cost of service.”

Make sure you receive a written estimate and a list of the items to be moved. Keep in mind that the estimate is only a price guideline. You must pay the total charges for the services performed, the materials provided, and the valuation plan selected based on tariff provisions, unless you have requested a “binding estimate.”

Understand the pricing Options- A Non Binding versus a Binding estimate – read the fine print. A Non-Binding estimate is based on actual weight and services performed. On a Binding estimate only the items and services listed are included in the binding price.

Understand the components of pricing.
• Transportation
• Packing
• Additional Services (such as crating, appliance disconnect and hookup)
• Valuation to protect your family from loss or damage to your possessions
• Storage
• Fuel Surcharge

Always get your dates of service in writing.

Pay attention to the terminology (i.e., agreed delivery or requested delivery) and understand what “guaranteed” means. Prior to your move movers are required by law to provide you with a copy of the brochure “Your Rights and Responsibilities, and a copy of “Ready to Move”, a brochure prepared by the Federal Highway Administration. If not given copies at the time of the estimate, request one. Some states also have their own move brochures that are required for intrastate or local moves.

Research the agency and the van line.

If you receive multiple quotes and one is substantially lower then the rest be wary and go to Moverscam.org.

I hope this video will help you choose the company that can help move your family’s possessions safely and for the best value.

Thank you and I hope you have a smooth move.