The Top Ten Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring a Mover for your Residential Move

1. Deciding to go with the mover that has the lowest price
• Often times quality goes hand in hand with price. Be careful of low quotes and hidden extra charges.
2. Getting moving quotes over the phone and/or submitting an online inventory list of things you will be moving
• Without actually visiting your home, moving companies cannot give you an accurate estimate.
3. Not receiving estimates from several moving companies
• You can't know what is fair, unless you get estimates from at least three moving companies.
4. Not researching the moving company
• In order to ensure you're hiring a reliable mover, make sure to google for customer reviews, check their website, visit their office, and look up the company on protectyourmove.gov.
5. Not planning ahead
• The summer is the busiest time of year for movers, so book your mover well in advance of your planned move date if you're going to move during the warmer months.
6. Not asking about extra costs you might be charged
• Moving companies may charge extra for moving items up and down stairs, not having a parking space close by, and packing supply fees.
7. Not asking the right questions
• Ask questions to make sure you're with a reputable moving company.
  • Is the company registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration?
  • Does the company subcontract to smaller companies?
  • What is the company's rate per pound and rate per distance for the move?
8. Not checking with the Better Business Bureau on the mover's complaint record
• It is rare to find a moving company that is free from complaints. You can see how the complaints were handled as well.
9. Not informing the mover of any unusual situations they may run into before the move
• It's important to tell the moving company of problems like parking issues, difficult access, limited hours, and elevators and stairs.
10. Forgetting to keep track of the different estimates you receive