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MOVING KNOWLEDGE |
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Choosing a Mover |
Preparation |
Moving Day |
After the Move |
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Make
sure your mover is licensed. If you don't do this you are asking
for trouble.
If you are moving
within California check movers licenses here:
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/tmis/
Interstate moving
permits are usually not obtained by local moving companies.
Instead most moving companies are affiliated with Van Lines or
larger carriers. In order to check the licensing status for your
interstate mover you will need the name of their Van Line or
interstate carrier. You can also search the database with the DOT
number or MC number, the mover should have these readily
available.
See if your
interstate mover is licensed here:
http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
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Get at least 3
estimates You
will need to allow at least one estimator in to your home to
prepare a table of contents and they will give you a quote. They
will leave a copy of the table of contents with you that you can
use to get quotes from other movers.
You should be
quoted a rate per hour or a rate per one hundred pounds. Make sure
the estimator sees everything that will be moved. Make sure they
are aware of stairs, narrow driveways custom furniture that may
have been built inside the house and any packing you want the
movers to do. Movers charge for the work they actually do and
their estimates are not binding except for their hourly rate or
rate per hundred pounds. So if there are more things to be moved
on moving day or special circumstances that require more labor or
equipment than were estimated you will have pay more than the
estimate.
Obviously you need
to watch out for extremely low estimates because movers generally
charge about the same amount.
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Make sure
you get all of your packing done. If the movers show up on moving
day and you are not packed they will either leave or charge you
high fees to finish the packing. |
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You need to have the
gas company disconnect your gas appliances before the movers
arrive. Most movers will not do it, or they will charge a fee |
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Movers cannot move any
gasoline or propane tanks. Lawnmowers must be empty of gas and
propane tanks must be certified empty. |
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You can leave clothes
in their drawers the movers can move them like that. |
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One room per box.
Don't be afraid to leave space in a box if the room is done and
the box isn't full. You will make things easier on yourself later
if you don't mix rooms in your boxes. label your box with room and
contents. |
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There is a lot of
information about packing on the web. Here are some sites from
Major Moving Companies that offer free advice:
Atlas Van Lines
United Van Lines
Global Van Lines
Paper is the key to
good packing, make sure you get lots of packing paper it's worth
it. |
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Local movers often
overbook If you get bumped to a later time, ask for a meal or some
other compensation, if
your move ends up going two days, ask them to pay for a motel.
Chances are another mover is not available on short notice so try
to be accommodating.
Interstate movers
are usually right on time - except in the busy season. During the
summer when movers are especially busy it is not uncommon for a
local truck to pick up your things and hold them until an
interstate truck arrives. If this happens you will be on the local
company's schedule and may get bumped. Call the local company the
day before your move, they should know whether your interstate
driver is on time. If your driver is not on time see if the
mover will let you wait to be loaded until he arrives, the less
handling of your items means the less chance of problems. You need
to be there for the entire loading of your things, so if you don't
have the time, let the local truck load up. |
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Always buy your movers
lunch and tip them individually at the end of the move. Give a
receipt if you end up giving any of the movers any furniture other
items you no longer want, his boss will appreciate it. |
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Jewelry, coin
collections, your cd's and software should be in your car before
the movers arrive. |
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If you cant find
something after your move check inside coolers and trunks, check
in the bottom of wardrobe boxes and in the dryer. Don't think
something is missing right away you probably wont finish opening
all of your boxes for a couple of weeks. In general, you have 6
months to file a claim with your mover. |
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