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A local
move is any move of household items within 100 miles from
the origin to the final destination within the same state. Moves
over 99 miles within the same state are considered intrastate
moves and those traveling across state lines are interstate
moves. Local
moves are billed at an hourly rate whereas intra- and inter-state
moves are billed according to the size and weight of your shipment.
Any of the moving companies
you choose to use will send a salesperson (estimator) to your
house to provide you with a free
moving estimate. The estimate should include a separate amount
for the movers
themselves, vans, packing,
materials and insurance. It should also include the address you
are moving to if possible. If you are not sure of the address
you are moving to the day your estimate is made, your guaranteed
price will be subject to change based on conditions at your final
destination such as the number of stairs, the distance from the
truck to the front door, and the accessibility of your destination
for a large van. If possible, always have the estimator view your
new place of residence before they make their final estimate.
Every state has different rules about moving
estimates. In California,
the local moving company must provide you with a guaranteed price
before they begin to move. A guaranteed price (GP) is the exact
amount a company will charge you for the services they agreed
to perform on the estimate. This estimate must be in writing.
Verbal estimates are considered illegal. This law was passed in
order to stop companies from quoting low estimates over the phone
and then charging you twice as much on moving day. Once you have
researched a few moving
companies and have received your estimates, you can compare
the GP of each estimate.
Hire the movers
not the company
If you chose a company without knowing any of its movers, ask the
estimator to provide you with the name of an experienced foreman
and the "helpers" who will be on your move. This is the #1 rule
when hiring a moving
company: make sure you know who your movers will be on your
moving day. Use the names of the movers your friends, neighbors
or estimator referred to you. Make these movers part of your contract.
Size is important
The size of your van is very important. Make sure you know what
size truck will arrive at your house or apartment on moving day.
Make van size part of your contract.
Some local companies charge the same rate whether you arrange for
a 50-foot van or a 12-foot van to move your household items. Make
sure your estimator has allowed for plenty of empty space in your
moving van. Since you are paying by the hour, having to make double
trips will add a lot of expense to your move. You may want to
contract for two vans to arrive on moving day if the size of your
van is limited for some reason, i.e. low hanging trees, narrow
street, and steep driveway. An extra van will help to speed your
move up and may cost you only a small fee.
Hiring the packers
There are three different ways to pack up your household items.
You can do it all yourself, have the local
moving company partially pack some of your items, or you can
have them pack everything. If you have anyone else other than
the local moving company pack your items understand that the local
moving company is not liable for any of the damage that occurred
inside of the boxes
during your move.
If you pack yourself, begin packing many days prior to the move.
It will waste the mover's time and your money if they have to
wait for you to finish up your packing the day of the move.
Packing by the hour is a good choice if you have hired experienced,
fast packers. You can hire these packers the same way you hired
your movers. Make them part of your contract for packing day.
A good way to save money and also have your valuables insured on
moving day is to employ the company to partially pack your household
items. Make sure your estimate is clear on the items to be packed.
The packers can pack all of the breakable items such as china,
glass, and ceramics. You may also feel safer having someone with
experience packing these items. You will pack the non-breakable
items that do not take much experience to pack such as books and
clothes.
Choosing when to move
Picking the time of year, month and day of the week can be very
crucial in your move. Most people choose to move during the summer
months when their kids are out of school or during vacation. Moving
companies need to hire seasonal help to meet this increase
in moving. This means that inexperienced movers are often hired
during these busy months. This problem also exists during the
end and beginning of each month when everybody's lease is up,
and on Fridays when people take off work. Also, if your move should
only take about half a day, hiring movers
for first thing in the morning is recommended.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the middle of the month are the
best days to move if you have not planned ahead. By Thursday,
the best movers are getting tired from the last three days of
tough jobs and on Fridays, all the good
movers are usually allocated to the customers that planned
ahead.
During a local
move, your cost depends on the amount of time moving. Make
sure you give your driver the most direct route to your new home.
You may want to follow the driver to ensure he doesn't take the
long way. Also, be familiar with how heavy the traffic will be
during the days and times of your move.
Few Reminders:
- Make sure you always have someone watching the movers while
they are packing and loading your items.
- Make sure you are familiar with the neighborhood before the
day of the move. You want to make sure there is room for the
truck in front of your new home.
- Make sure you have warned the movers of any stairs they will
have to climb, or if there is an available elevator.
- Let the mover know if there are time restrictions on when
you are allowed to move. Many apartment buildings will not
allow you to be moving after 5 PM.
- The building owner may ask the mover to see insurance certificates
in case any damage is done to the building. Make sure they
have these papers.
- Make sure you have all supplies that will be needed for the
move. If the mover has to go get more, your price will go
up and time will be wasted.
- Make sure all of the packing you are doing yourself is complete
prior to the day of the move. You don't want to have the moving
company wait for you to finish.
- Make sure you have thoroughly planned out the whole move.
Have you checked all closets and storage
units for items that need to be moved? The less surprises
for the mover the better.
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