CHOOSING A MOVER

Here is our unbiased advice on how to make a smart choice in movers. Be cautious and do your homework. Here’s where to start:

Ask friends and family

Your friends and family, or even the management at your new building, are the best place to start your research. Who did they use to move? Was the experience positive? Was the pricing fair? Beyond immediate contacts, be sure to read reviews online. See what other people have to say about the companies you are considering.

Make sure the mover cares about the details

Moving is a details business. Make sure the moving company you choose to work with truly understands your move in advance. If they don’t ask a lot of questions or offer to send an on-site estimator (for larger moves), they might change the terms of the agreement on move day when they encounter “unexpected surprises.”

Will they send a representative to your home?

The mover often needs to view your household contents to accurately assess your moving cost. Moving companies base their fees on several factors: weight, volume, number of rooms, degree of difficulty involved, and the time and labor the move will require. An in-home visit can help the mover accurately assess the situation.

When it comes to pricing: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is

When comparing prices, try to compare apples to apples. Some movers charge by volume and some by weight. It’s up to you which style is more comfortable, just make sure a “lower” bid is actually lower. Stay away from a company that only gives you variable estimates. There is a chance the quoted price will increase significantly when your move is over. Insist on one guaranteed price, in advance and in writing.

Check their credibility

Be a detective. Is their website informative and accurate? Is their address a real address? Make sure they are actual movers and not a broker looking for a cut of the deal. Is the company licensed and insured? Street movers will almost always lack permits, workers compensation, insurance and licenses established by law to protect the consumer from fraud and liability. Licenses have to be purchased, approved and renewed. They ensure that you will be covered by basic insurance and that you will have a clear grievance process if a dispute arises.

Professionalism is important

Do they sound and act professional when you speak to them? Trust your instincts. Go with the company that you have a good feel for; that you feel you could trust with your personal belongings. After all, you’re inviting them into your home.

What kind of training do their people undergo?

Experts are able to use their experience to anticipate and head-off potential problems. A good company will train their workers intensively in driving, packing, and, most importantly, customer service.

PLANNING A MOVE

Clean - Do not pay to move things that you don’t use. Donate or discard unnecessary items.

Organize - Create a “move book,” using a large noticeable notebook, to centralize all the important details of your move. It should contain any estimates you receive, lists you make, contact information and contents of boxes once you start packing.

Choose a mover - Make an informed decision and then lean on them to help you with the process.

Create an inventory - A move is a great opportunity to take stock of your belongings. This list can be used for valuing your belongings for coverage, for keeping your packing organized, and just for your peace of mind.

Notify buildings and make proper arrangements - Be in close contact with building management at both locations. Reserve freight elevators, make sure the day you choose to move works for your new building. Make sure your mover has proper insurance coverage to meet your building’s requirements.

Order boxes - Make sure you start packing well in advance and you have all the materials you need to get the job done.

Pack - Pack what you don’t use. Items, you do not immediately need, such as books, can be packed at this point. Keep your list up to date. Do not make the boxes too heavy for a person to carry, and place heavier objects at the bottom.

Change of address notifications - You must notify credit card and utility companies, newspaper subscriptions, and Internet and cable providers that you are moving. Check into their procedures ahead of time. You may need to return your old cable box or join a waiting list for installation.

Move day - Keep important items on you during the move. Place essentials in a suitcase or designated bag, and don’t lose it. Keep crucial items you will need during the move in one easy-to-find place. Include your Move Book, prescriptions, checkbooks, address books, jewelry, toiletries, phones, and chargers.

Keep your moving receipts for income tax deductions - In many cases, moving expenses are deductible from federal income taxes. If you are moving because of a change in employment, you may be able to claim this deduction even if you do not itemize. Consult your tax preparer.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY

Moving is expensive when you take into consideration all of the factors leading up to and surrounding the actual move—apartment deposits, travel, new furniture, change of job, time off work... By the time many people get around to actually booking movers, their budget is already spent.

Here are a few insider suggestions for making the most of your moving budget:

HOW TO PACK

Start packing now. Start with items (books, etc.) you hardly use.

Protect your items with packing material. Newspapers are effective and readily available.

Separate your breakable items from your non-breakable items, so the appropriate boxes can be given extra care. Mark them “FRAGILE.”

Buy an assortment of quality boxes in standard sizes.

Pack all boxes as tightly as possible, but watch the weight. Load heavier items on the bottom, to maintain balance. No box should ever weigh more than 50 lbs, and 20-30 lbs. maximum is preferable.

Use real packing tape, not masking tape – it’s not strong enough.

Label boxes clearly, on several sides. They should be legible, even if stacked in a corner. Start an inventory list, on paper or on your computer. Be consistent with your labeling method. List the general contents on the outside of the box for quick reference. For a box that contains items you’ll need immediately (cooking utensils, toiletries, remotes, etc.), mark “OPEN FIRST” on the outside of the box.

Carry irreplaceable items with you, along with immediate necessities like cell-phone chargers and personal items, in a special suitcase or bag.

Books:

Lay books flat in the box. Alternate the spine and open-end, as you stack them, to keep their weight evenly distributed. Place a clean piece of paper between books to prevent them from sticking to each other. Keep the weight of the box manageable (pref. between 20-30 lbs).

Photographs:

Photos, videos, and film negatives should be packed separately from other household items. They may be irreplaceable. Protect your framed photos with padding, standing each on edge within the box. Label containers clearly to easily identify their contents. If the item is truly irreplaceable, carry it with you.

China / Dishware:

Before packing china, cushion the bottom of the box with plenty of crumpled newsprint paper. Carefully wrap each larger piece of china individually with newsprint, and bundle up to three similar pieces together with one piece of newsprint. Place each bundle into the box, standing upright to form a standing row. Do not lay them flat. Surround each bundle with plenty of crumpled paper. Level 2-3 inches of crumpled newsprint on top of the bottom row, to support the next row of bundles. The upper row should be comprised of smaller articles—cups, saucers, etc.—to keep the box properly weighted with heavier items at the bottom.

Bottles & Liquid Containers:

Seal all bottles by wrapping tape around their lids. Wrap bottles in newsprint paper. Prepare boxes with crumpled newsprint paper, at the bottom, and place your bottles on top. Add more newsprint, padding the sides and top.

Computers & Electronics:

Take photos of your wired connections and label the cables. Consider using colored ties from a container or office supply store. Disconnect all wires and cables. Bundle these items together with their components, for quick reassembly. Place the item in the prepared box, and pad heavily on all sides to prevent damage.