Planning a local move comes with its own unique stresses, but hiring a professional moving company to transport your belongings from point A to point B can save you a great deal of time and stress. Of course, when trying to find a local moving company, you want to make sure you get the best value for your money. As you interview and obtain quotes from potential moving companies, there are a few important questions to ask that will help you make your decision.
1. Is Your Quote Binding?
Ideally, you'll want to find a company that offers an in-home consultation to give you the most accurate estimate possible. Going with a company that offers a binding or "not-to-exceed" price can also give you peace of mind in your decision.
2. Will My Items Stay in the Same Truck?
Some companies may transfer your belongings onto another truck during the transporting process, which should be avoided if at all possible. Transferring your items means handling them multiple times, which inherently increases the risk of damage or loss. Unless storage is needed, finding a local mover that will keep your items on the same truck for a local move from point A to point B will reduce that risk.
3. What Type of Valuation Coverage is Included?
Most moving companies include some basic amount of liability valuation as part of their services, which should cover a stated amount based on the weight of the item that is damaged (for example, $0.60 per pound). However, this coverage may not be enough for items that may not weigh a lot, but cost a lot to replace. Full coverage options are usually available and can be purchased from the moving company for added peace of mind and protection.
4. What Services or Materials May Cost Extra?
Make sure to find out exactly what's included with your estimate, along with some other services or materials that could cost you extra. For example, if you'd like your fragile furniture to be pad wrapped or have protective padding placed on your carpet while moving larger items, you might face additional material and labor charges from some companies, so it's best to find out about these expenses ahead of time so there aren't any surprises later on.
5. Is There Anything You Won't Move?
Most moving companies will provide you with a comprehensive list of items that their movers will not handle for liability or other reasons. Some examples of items you may end up needing to move yourself (or make other arrangements for) include:
At A-1 Freeman Moving Group, we take great pride in the accurate moving estimates we're able to provide to our customers, all of which include a free in-home consultation. And unlike many other moving companies, we're also happy to provide expert tear-down, moving, and assembly of items such as play sets, grandfather clocks, appliances, pianos, and much more.
With more than forty years of service to the surrounding communities, A-1 Freeman Moving is committed to making your next local move as stress-free as possible. All of our moving crews are background checked and drug tested, and they have an average of 10 years of experience in packing, furniture protection, safety, and item transport.
To find out more about what we can do for you or to request your quote for a local move, contact us today. We look forward to serving you!
