If this is your first time hiring moving companies, it can be a bit intimidating and you may not know what to expect. No problem. We've put together the ultimate guide for the first time you hire a moving company. After reading this, you will know everything you need to know and can move on with confidence.
HIRING MOVERS VS. MOVING YOURSELF
It is a common misconception that hiring a moving company will break the bank. Whether you are buying a new home or moving into a new apartment, there will be various costs incurred with your move and you are probably trying to save money where you can. But moving house alone or with your friends may not be the best place to cut corners.
If you want to compare the cost of moving yourself with hiring a professional relocation company in Bristol, you need to consider several factors. First, how big is your current home? One of the main factors in the price of a professional move is the weight or the amount of things you have to move. If you have a studio or a relatively small house, the price will be very low. The cost will increase according to the size of your home.
The second factor in the price is the distance of your move. A move to the other side of town will cost you less than a move to the other side of the country, obviously. Stairs, elevators, and long hallways will add to your final bill with a moving company. But keep in mind that moving is not free for you if you decide to do it yourself. Consider the cost of renting a box truck, gas, moving supplies, boxes, renting a dolly, and pizza and beer for your friends. Know the real cost, in dollars and cents, of moving yourself before comparing prices with hiring a professional moving company. A professional moving company will come to your home and give you a free moving estimate so you know exactly what you are looking at.
Time and effort are a huge factor in the debate between moving and hiring a moving company. Professional engines are fast and efficient. Which could take you and your friends 10 hours to sloppily pack and load a U-Haul and then unload it at your new home will probably take less than 4 a moving crew. Plus, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting. yourself instead of sitting down and leaving it up to the crew. Bumps and bangs to the walls and hands are to be expected, along with back pain and total exhaustion. You will also be morally obligated to help any member of your team of friends and family to move in for the next 3-5 years.
Think about how many high-priced items you have in your home. Do you really want to trust your cousin Jimmy to move your new flat screen TV into the '92 F-150 from him? Moving professionals know how to pack your things and load your truck in a way that will protect your valuable possessions in the best possible way. They use furniture blankets, proper packing supplies, and best moving practices to keep all your items in the same condition they were found in. They also have insurance so that if any of your things are damaged, you will be covered. Your friends don't have moving insurance.
So yes, it might be a bit more expensive to hire a moving company, but it will save time, effort, and the risk of breaking mirrors, table legs, and fingers. How valuable is your time and peace of mind?
TIPS FOR KEEPING COSTS DOWN WHEN HIRING A PROFESSIONAL MOVING COMPANY
If this is your first time hiring a moving company, you probably don't know all the tips and tricks for saving a few bucks. Simply put, the easier the move, the cheaper it will be. And there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Remember that the main factors in price are weight, distance, and time. So the first thing you can do to lower your costs is take fewer things! Host a yard sale, donate items to charities, gift things to friends and family, and throw the rest away.
Try to take only the things you really need and you will see a big drop in price. But, to avoid financial surprises, show the next move estimator to give you a quote for EVERYTHING you intend to take home with you. Be sure to include the attic, basement, garage, and storage closet. If no items are counted on move-in day, your bid will be adjusted to the highest.
According to the AMSA, the median cost for an in-state move is $ 1,170 and the median out-of-state move is $ 5,630, but you can lower the cost of professional moves by doing simple things yourself. How to pack. Movers come fully stocked with boxes and moving supplies, but that will reflect on your bottom line. If you can get free boxes from Craigslist and pack them yourself, you will save some money. Put all those boxes in an easily accessible place for the carriers to arrive, reducing the amount of time they need to load the truck. Take apart bed frames or large furniture so that movers don't have to do it when they get there.
Reassemble it yourself in its new location. Label the boxes with color-coded stickers and place the corresponding color sticker on the doorframe of your new home so that movers know exactly which room each box fits into without you having to stop and look inside or direct them every time. Burn your CDs on your computer so you don't have to transport them individually and consider shipping your library books to your new home. The special postage rate for books can save you money compared to packing them in the moving truck. These simple tasks will save you on your final costs.
To recoup some of your losses, you should request a detailed list of all the things you donate to charity. This will come in handy when it comes time for taxes. And if you're moving for work, keep all receipts associated with the move. This includes transportation, lodging, meals, and more. All of these are big tax write-offs.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOVING COMPANY
Okay, so you know you want to hire a house removals in Bristol for the first time, and you know there are some simple ways to keep costs down, but how do you know which moving companies to choose? Big question. There are a lot of moving companies and some of them are less reputable. But the cream always rises to the top and there are some surefire ways to know that you are entrusting your possessions to a quality moving company.
Right from the start, you'll want to make sure that whatever moving company you are looking for has all the necessary licenses. Carriers must be registered with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can check the DOT website or call them to make sure the business you're running is up to date. There are other moving associations that reputable companies belong to without being required, such as AMSA, ProMovers, Office Moving Alliance, etc. Ask the moving company which associations they subscribe to and check the websites of the major associations for recommended moving companies in your area. . And while you're checking their credentials, don't forget to check the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, and Yelp for customer reviews of the company.
If they pass the first screen, you can dig a little deeper and ask them some questions. How long have they been in business? It is good to hire a moving company that has been in business for at least 10 years. Do they hire their workers or employ temporary labor? Full-time moving workers will be more experienced and handle your things with more professionalism than an employee hired for the day. Do you background check and drug test your employees? These are people you trust to handle all of your stuff. Hopefully they are not professional criminals. Ask about your insurance and how you will be covered. If your moving company is not insured, your items are also not insured and you may have a difficult time getting reimbursed for any damages or shortages. See if they plan to send someone to make an estimate at home or just want to give you a quote over the phone. If your mover doesn't come to inspect the move in person, you could have some major surprises when all is said and done.
When you find a few companies that pass your rigorous interview process, it's time to shop around. Be sure to read them carefully to compare apples to apples. Does it include packaging, packing materials, boxes, unpacking, insurance, etc.? Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. A good moving company will have a representative who will be happy to answer for you.
Beware of any quote that is significantly lower than the others. Most likely, something is not right or something is not being posted and you will be charged later. And when you've narrowed it down to 1 or 2 companies, you need to reflect on who was the most responsive to site web you, in the best way, throughout this entire process. Communication is essential for any stress-free movement. If they have shown they are vigilant up to this point, that trend is likely to continue.
LASTLY, THINGS TO EXPECT THE FIRST TIME YOU HIRE MOVERS
So now is the time to make the switch. Move the day. You've chosen a great company, you've kept your costs down, and now is the time to shine. But you don't want to be caught off guard. If he didn't read all the sales material your company gave him, or even if he did, he could still run into some unexpected situations.
There are certain things that moving companies will not take with them. Flammables, aerosol cans, perishable foods, and more. Your moving company Bristol will provide you with a complete list of these items. You will need to make sure to drain the gas and oil from your garden equipment and empty your refrigerator before moving day. And when your carriers show up, you are responsible for providing them with a place to park. It's okay if you have a large entrance. But it could be a bigger challenge if you rely on an open street parking space.
Get out of an area, alert your neighbors, or park your cars there until the move-in arrives to make sure you can get started right away. Snacks and bottled water are always appreciated by those on the move. This will help keep morale high on those hot summer days. Tipping, as with most service industries, is common. If your moving companies do a great job, you may want to have some cash on hand to reward them for their hard work and professionalism.