Moving is always a hassle, but there are things you can do to make it less stressful. One of those is hiring a moving company to help pack, load and haul your possessions from point A to point B. Whether you are moving locally, across the country or to the other side of the world, the right company makes all the difference. One of the first steps you will take is to get a free moving quote from each company you are considering, but like the companies themselves, not all free quotes are created equal. Knowing a few key pointers can make a huge difference in all aspects of your move.
Agreed Moving Inventory
Make sure that any free moving quotes you are provided include an agreed-on moving inventory. Essentially, this is a list of the major items that will be loaded at your old home and delivered to the new one. Without such an inventory, you open yourself up to high fees and other issues down the road. Make sure you and the mover are on the same page and have an agreed-on moving inventory list.
Provided Services
Free moving quotes should be more than just a ballpark price. In addition to a moving inventory list, make sure that you are provided with a list of services included in the quote. Exactly what will the company provide for the price? Will they load and unload? Will they help pack? Will they handle heavy appliances? Will they provide materials to protect your belongings during transit or is there an additional charge for those items? Get as much information from the moving company as possible in the very beginning.
Guaranteed Cost?
Is the cost you were quoted guaranteed? If the company did not include certain services that you will need or not all of your items were covered in the moving inventory, there is a very good chance that you will be paying more than what you were quoted. Ask about a guarantee upfront. You should also make sure that the company is willing to lock in the rate now (rates change seasonally and locking in a lower rate early on can save you a chunk of change down the road).
As you can see, not all free moving quotes are the same and the more complete the quote is, the more accurately you will be able to plan your move.