Ten Questions to ask your Mover

Interviewing movers is a necessary but time consuming project. Narrowing down your questions to these ten can make the process easier.

1. Are you licensed and insured? Do not use a mover that replies in the negative. Also, make sure that his drivers are legally licensed to go across state lines, if necessary, for your move.

2. Will you provide a detailed estimate including all fees? Again, this must be affirmative. Clearly state to the moving company that you will not tolerate add-on fees later in the process and that all charges must be in writing prior to loading. Fees that movers often leave out of the estimate include handling charges for awkward items and additional fees if the residence is challenging - stairs, elevators, parking, etc. Note that the estimate must be signed and dated by the mover. The estimate should also note the form of payment to avoid misunderstanding later.

3. Do you use sub-contractors and are they also licensed and insured? Ask for the names of any sub-contracting companies that might be used and follow up with them concerning these questions, or use a company that does not sub-contract.

4. Will my move have any transfers? Depending on the duration of the move, some moving companies will transfer your items from one vehicle to another. Be sure that you will not be charged extra for this and also ask about related concerns, such as weather, if there is a transfer.

5. Do you offer insurance? Review the insurance carefully to make sure that it is worth purchasing, depending on the value of your furniture and goods. Be sure that you fully understand the coverage and how to handle an insurance claim, if necessary.

6. What is the packing charge? Can I still get insurance if I do the packing? Most moving companies charge by weight and therefore, the temptation to over pack is great. I once had a company pack a single Barbie shoe in six layers of paper! The paper isn’t heavy but the boxes fill up faster. If the company won’t offer insurance for items you pack, be sure to pack very carefully.

7. Do you offer storage? Most of the larger moving companies sub-contract for storage or have their own warehouses. Make sure that the storage unit is climate controlled, especially if you’re moving to a humid area. If possible, visit the storage unit before moving. While finding your own storage may seem less expensive, remember to calculate the cost of moving out of storage again.

8. Can you provide references? Most companies can provide positive references from previous clients. If not, try another company.

9. How are complaints handled? Do you have any outstanding complaints at this time? The larger companies typically keep statistical data related to complaints and will provide them, if asked. Be sure that you fully understand the process in case you have a complaint of your own.

10. Can you accommodate the dates I need? The earlier you ask, the better your odds are at getting the date you want. June and July tend to be the busiest months for movers, so avoiding them could save you money and aggravation.

Communicating ahead of time with movers saves everyone future hassle. Be sure that the person you’re interviewing has the authority to answer all of your questions. Don’t ever accept an estimate that isn’t dated and signed and if you have any negative feelings at all about the interview, try another mover.

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