Making a long-distance move is often cited as a pivotal time in one’s life. Some move for money, others for love. Whatever your reason, you’re probably going to go through an adjustment period after you arrive at your new community. Even if you’re only moving two states away and think most Americans are the same, you may be surprised at the differences between your new home and where you just came from.
With all the planning involved in setting up a new life, many people don’t have the time or motivation to pack their entire house themselves–this is where a reputable moving company can help.
Knowing what questions to ask of a moving company before you sign any contracts or make any deposits can go a long way in making a long-distance move go smoothly. This ensures that the Plano moving services you’re hiring is both professional and capable of assisting you in moving your home for your life’s next big adventure.
Questions to Ask Your Moving Company
How to find a long-distance moving company is an important thing to know. Everyone wants to know how much it’s going to cost, but it’s important to remember that sometimes you get what you pay for. The most budget-friendly movers may be less than diligent when it comes to how carefully they pack your items or try to prevent damage during transport.
Before you even have the company begin to make an estimate, you should first make sure the company has good reviews. Once you’ve found a company you like, here are some of the most important questions to ask:
Are You Licensed and Insured?
It’s important to talk to the moving company and make sure it is licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation if you are moving across state lines. In addition, check to see if your state requires movers to have a license and ask for the state license, as well.
Even with the most professional people working on your move, accidents can happen–a wooden step breaks under the weight of heavy furniture, or a highway accident that doesn’t involve your truck directly might have caused the driver to brake extremely hard and some items may have shifted and been damaged.
Insurance can cover the cost of these types of incidents. It’s important to discuss with your moving company what liability limitations are part of its insurance–you may find that your homeowner’s insurance covers your valuables in transit if you intend on keeping the same insurer at your new home.
Ask for a Cost Breakdown
Any professional moving company that has examined the home and items to be moved, and knows where these things are going to be moved to, should be able to give you an itemized cost list. It will include the cost of such line items such as:
- Packaging materials
- Weight-based costs
- Large item costs
- Multi-story building charges
- Mileage costs for long-distance moves
- Additional Insurance rates
Ask the company what its variable costs are–these are typically items such as additional weight that wasn’t in the original estimate or any other surprises that pop up during the move. It’s also perfectly acceptable to ask what it costs to hire a long-distance moving company if you do all of the packing.
What Items Can I Not Transport?
Your moving company will typically have a few specifications regarding what can and cannot be moved. Every company is different, but here are some common items that people may not realize might be restricted, such as:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Hazardous chemicals
- Fuel and propane gas canisters
- Live animals
- Extremely delicate and expensive items that are easily damaged or broken, such as large pieces of musical or scientific equipment
You should also make yourself aware of the laws in your new home state if you have anything packed that you’re not sure about. The moving company is not responsible for transporting something illegal over state lines.
Final Thoughts
With these questions in hand, you’ll be able to approach the moving company and get any answers you need to make the next big change in your life an easy one. Starting a new way of life is exciting–a reliable, professional moving company like NDMS can help you make sure the journey to getting there goes as smoothly and painlessly as possible.
