1. Make sure your mover is legit. If you’re moving interstate, search for companies that are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) at protectyourmove.gov. For an in-state mover, visit the American Moving & Storage Association’s (AMSA) consumer website at moving.org to find screened and approved companies.
2. Beware of rogue movers. Movers should answer the telephone with the company’s name, rather than a generic term like “moving company.” Once you’ve chosen a company, stop by its office to make sure it exists and is in good condition. On moving day, make sure a company-owned and marked fleet truck—not a rental truck—arrives.
3. Movers covered by federal law must view your belongings in person before giving you an estimate if they have an office within 50 miles of your home.
4. Beware those that try to give you a phone estimate; they can later say you have more stuff than you told them about.
5. Get in-person estimates from at least three companies, and don’t hire one that quotes a price much higher or lower than competitors.
6. We can charge extra fees. Consider a binding agreement, which means you’ll pay what the movers estimated regardless of what your shipment ends up weighing. Caveat: The movers can still charge extra for moving into a home on a steep hill, with many steps, or in a crowded city. Ask about fees ahead of time.
7. We can charge up to 110 percent of the original estimate. But under federal law, movers cannot charge you more than that (not including fees and extras), even under a non-binding agreement. They also cannot require full payment before final delivery.
8. Movers are responsible for items that are damaged or lost if you purchase insurance with full liability. Be sure to list china, antiques, and anything with a value of more than $100 per pound on shipping documents.
9. Take jewelry, important papers, and other valuable small items with you rather than packing them.
10. Pack only one room at a time. Don’t start the next room until you’re finished. It’ll keep you organized and allow you to tackle the move in smaller steps.
11. Don’t try to move without a permanent marker. Label, label, label. Write down the contents and the destination room on every box. This may seem obvious, but it can fall by the wayside during a busy move.
12. If you move between October and May, it’s considered off-peak, and you’ll likely receive better service. If you must move during peak season, try to move mid-month and mid-week.
13. Believe us when we say we can move your car cheaper than you can. Moving your car across the country can cost you at least $1,000, but that’s less than the roughly $1,500 in mileage and gas at current prices (plus food and lodging along the way) it’ll cost you to drive.
SOURCES: Associated Press; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; American Moving & Storage Association.