You’ve just emerged as the owner of a new property or seller of a new property. Either way it’s time to move. If you thought the hard part was over – think again.
The process of finding a great realtor and strategically making a purchase or sale of a property can be tough, but the journey is not over yet. Finding a great moving company seems to be the final hurdle for many home owners leaving their property or entering into their new one.
Most realtors will not go through this journey with you and wave goodbye once the sale is over, making the entire process of buying or selling your property very transactional. If you have yourself a realtor that cares and ensures a complete property sale or purchase journey, then you won’t even have to worry about getting yourself a moving company as this process would be taken care of by your agent.
As an agent who represents all of my customers with care, I always think of the ones that are left out without any help during the moving process. So, I’ve gone ahead and made this 10-step program for you to follow – in an effort of helping you save money and avoid scams:
Step 1:
First place to start is by asking around and getting recommendations. Nothing speaks better than experience and the kind you can trust. Unfortunately, today anyone can go online and write a fake review, so it is best to go and ask the source. If you have friends, colleagues or friends of friends, get their input on who they used and why they hired them in the first place. Find out how the process was and the final outcome of the experience. The biggest assumption many people make is that the big-name companies are always the best and that is always not true.
Step 2:
Narrow down your options and screen them. Go online and do a background check to see if any bad reviews or negative feedback exists. Check the better business bureau website for any unresolved complaints. See if these companies have any associations they belong to for added credibility.
Step 3:
After further narrowing your choices, get the company to come and do an in-home estimate. Get written estimates, or a not to exceed type of agreement for your move. Ask questions about travel and distance if you are moving to a different borough or area of the city. Ask about additional charges they may throw your way, such as weights maximums, distance, stair climbing, lack of ramps or elevators etc.
Step 4:
Show the estimator everything you want moved. From what is in your closet, cabinets, backyard, basement, attic, etc. If on moving day you seem to have more stuff than was estimated, you will get charged. Ensure that the estimator knows everything about where you are moving out of to where you are moving to such as stairs, narrow hallways, elevators and distance from curb to front door. Make sure the company is also responsible for the physical move itself and not contracting the work out to a third party.
Step 5:
Review your estimate and your inventory list and ensure that all costs tally up correctly. Get the following on your estimate: Company name in full, their address, phone number, email, website, contact name and info, licensing info, insurance info and summary of additional charges should they arise so that no excessive charges are thrown at you last minute without reference to some sort of chart or billing system.
Step 6:
Compare the bids and watch out for the ones that come in way lower than the rest. Look at the higher bids an see where these added costs are coming from. Call and ask questions if there are items in your estimate you do not understand and do not be afraid to negotiate if you receive similar bids from various companies.
Step 7:
Select the winner of your elimination process and do one last background check. Cross your t’s and dot your I’s by again referring to the better business bureau and any other online references you can find.
Step 8:
Confirm dates, times, pricing and addresses and lock in your mover. Ensure you receive a signed order for service and that all the details match up.
Step 9:
On moving day get a written copy of the inventory list and provide the movers with specific directions for getting your items out and into your new property and make sure you have a contact number for the movers that are on site as well as a rep from the moving company should anything go wrong.
Step 10:
Tip well. A job done well deserves a tip, regardless of the type of job. Some moving companies are great and not only doing the job but the experience and service provided to the customer. If you feel that the people on site that day moving your personal belongings went the extra mile to ensure your items were taken care of and handled properly than you should always go out of your way to show appreciation.
As mentioned before, my buying and selling includes a worry-free system that takes of you before, during and after the process of buying or selling your home. Learn more about my representation services here.
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