We all want to protect the things that are precious to us. It’s a driving force in safety improvements in vehicles from seat belts to alert systems that help prevent accidents. The same expectation of safety should extend to your inanimate items too. Especially if you're on the lookout for a company to help with your moving, shipping and storage needs.
We want to help take the mystery out of finding the moving service to help you in your next adventure with care and integrity. From screening questions as you start gathering information to steps you can take to protect yourself and your belongings. We will also cover some ways to save yourself money.
Are you moving across country or across town? Are you moving an entire family and the kitchen sink or are you getting a place all your own for the first time? Maybe all you are doing is sending some family heirlooms to a relative? Perhaps you are downsizing your living space as you move so you need shipping and storage services at the same time?
A moving company provides transport for your items, usually using box trucks or even tractor trailers depending on the amount of items being moved and the distance. Delivery services will help coordinate cost-effective ways to package and ship your items instead. Some providers offer packing services, moving services and self-storage services in customizable packages to fit your needs.
Are you packing up your items yourself or are you wanting that service included? This is an added layer of consideration when you are looking for a company to assist in your moving needs.
You care about your items and you want them to arrive in the same condition they were packed up in. An extra layer of bubble wrap and a 'Fragile." sticker may not be enough to safeguard your items. You want your mover to have the same dedication to a safe delivery as you do.
For the most peace of mind, consider white glove services which take additional steps in planning, training of associates, protecting items during transport to make sure your items get safely to their new home.
An average estimate for moving a 2-3 bedroom home with a load weighting 7,500 pounds can range from $1,250 for a local move to $4,890 for a distance of 1,000 miles. This is just a baseline estimate as weight and distances in your move may vary. There are additional services that can also impact the final cost depending on the ease of access to move your items into the new space, Service can range from but are not limited to: packing services, moving dates and season, specialty items and insurance options.
If you have friends or family in the area that have used a moving company, ask about their experience in detail. Get names of associates they worked with if they were pleased with the service. If you don't have any references from friends and family you can get a list of reliable movers from industry associates such as American Moving and Storage Association. They can provide you with a list of local movers that have shown their high standards and ethics.
Research is key to ensuring a worry-free move for you and your belongings. When you narrow your choices down to 5 or so companies and you start reaching out be on the lookout for any red flags. Key things to be aware of and questions to ask:
Newer companies may not have experience with long distance moves or specialty items.
If not, this is a red flag. If they do provide references, follow up on them. Ask detailed questions to find anything that may make you reconsider.
You can check the Better Business Bureau for reviews and actions taken against them as well as what steps they may have taken to rectify any complaints. Some companies also try to avoid bad reviews by using different company names. Ask if they do business in other areas under other names and request their state and federal license numbers. You can verify this by contacting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or calling them at 888-368-7238. You can also contact your state Department of Transportation.
The default option is Full (replacement) Value Protection which is the most all-encompassing plan available. Under this plan, items that are lost or damaged during transit or while being handled by the moving company your mover can either pay for repairs to return the item to its former condition or replace the article with an equal value and quality or pay you for replacement. This limits the liability for movers regarding items of extraordinary value unless they are addressed separately on shipping documents.
While there is a no-cost option known as Alternative level of liability this provides minimal protection with the mover accepting responsibility for only $.60 per pound, per item regardless of market value. If you choose this option your moving company will have you sign a very clear waiver or statement on your agreement.
Do not tell the companies who else you may be getting quotes from to avoid any exaggerated information. Be sure to check reviews online - Google, Yelp, HomeAdvisor, and Angi to name a few. Any quote that seems wildly out of step with others is a red flag, whether it's too low or too high.
Essentially, you are acquiring their service which is completed upon satisfactory delivery so don't be pushed into handing over payment up front or into putting down a large deposit, When the delivery is complete try to do a quick glance into each box to see if any obvious breakage or damage occurred. When you do pay, pay with a credit card if possible, this will help protect you from loss or fraudulent activity.
Reputable moving companies will send an estimator to you and they should conduct a thorough walk-through with you to make sure all areas are covered in the estimate, a good estimator will ask questions about if there are items that you are not taking with you, details about items being moved, make note of specialty items and more, They should also be able to discuss any additional services or special circumstances that need to be factored into your quote. Do not risk your items by falling prey to a good salesman.
Bubba's Hilton Head Shipping offers reliable moving services that will meet all of your moving needs.
Through years of providing trustworthy shipping, storage and delivery services, we're proud to have gained the trust of our loyal customers, and new ones as well!
Whether you're moving locally or across state lines, Bubba's is able to offer a comprehansive set of services that will ensure that your belongings are safe and sound!
Contact us today at (843) 681-5565 or email us here for your next move-in!
