Whether you need local, long-distance or international moving services, look for a company that provides comprehensive options. Make sure they offer white glove service, custom packing and crating, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and storage solutions. Visit Moving Company Rhode Island to learn more.
If you’re shopping for a moving company, look for one that lists their credentials on its website or is willing to provide them upon request. Ask what their job title is, and get that name and contact information in writing. Also, find out who will oversee your project from start to finish. It’s not enough to hire a friendly salesperson who will take your details and write up a contract; you need a project manager who will be on site, overseeing the work.
When hiring a moving contractor, you want to ensure they have extensive experience in the field. You can do this by checking their online presence, such as social media profiles, website, Better Business Bureau profile, and USDOT number. The best companies will include these credentials on their site and be happy to provide them upon request.
It’s also important to check if the company is licensed to work in your area, and especially for long-distance moves. This can be done by looking at their website, asking for recommendations from people you know who have used them, or mining recent Google reviews. Also, keep an eye out for moving companies that change their names frequently — this may be a sign they are hiding something.
Finally, reading through their contract and understanding what they are committing to is important. Look for a detailed list of services that will be provided, pricing information (i.e. fixed or hourly rate), and a breakdown of responsibilities if items are damaged or lost.
You should also ask who will be managing your move from start to finish. This is not necessarily the friendly salesperson who listened to your concerns and wrote up your contract, but it should be someone with some level of authority within the company. If they can’t answer this question or are unresponsive, it’s probably best to move on to another company.
When hiring movers, you want to ensure they have insurance. There are a number of different types of moving company insurance to choose from, including cargo, commercial auto, general liability, and worker’s compensation. Some insurers offer custom packages to suit the needs of each moving business. Others bundle policies into a single package to simplify the claims process and score a discount.
Most homeowner’s policies exclude property during a move, so the moving company’s liability coverage is crucial. Getting a certificate of insurance (COI) from each company you consider using is also important. This document should show proof of insurance for the company as well as their policy details and effective dates. A good COI should include workers’ compensation, commercial auto, general liability, and umbrella coverage.
The type of moving contractor insurance you need depends on the scale of your operations and the value of your inventory. Full value protection coverage reimburses clients up to the replacement value of their possessions in the event of loss or damage during transit. This coverage is available for an additional fee and can be provided by either the moving company or a third-party provider.
Released value coverage, on the other hand, is the cheapest option. It pays up to 60 cents per pound for an item, which is significantly less than what the item would cost if purchased new. This type of insurance is a requirement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for interstate moves, but it may not be enough to cover your belongings’ entire value.
A good moving company will have a minimum of $1 million in general liability and professional liability coverage. In addition, they should have a worker’s compensation policy for injured employees and a separate cargo insurance policy to provide coverage for items damaged in transit. Finally, they should have a commercial umbrella to protect against claims that exceed their other policies. If you’re interested in getting a quote for movers insurance, Thimble offers a range of policies to meet the needs of any business. These include general liability for movers, 3rd-party non-employee bodily injury, and high defense costs.
Local movers are often more cost-effective than long-distance movers because they charge less by the hour for labor. They also know the area better and can navigate traffic patterns more efficiently than long-distance movers, which saves time. You can further lower your moving costs by packing all or part of your belongings before the movers arrive. This also gives you the opportunity to take advantage of discounts or specials offered by your local moving company.
Another way to keep your moving costs down is by avoiding extra fees, such as linehaul charges. These are calculated by the distance of your move and the total weight of your shipment. To avoid overpaying, downsize your belongings and ask if you can be present at the initial truck weigh-in so you can see the actual weight before the linehaul charges are added to your moving quote.
Many local movers offer additional services, such as trash pickup and cleaning, that help make your relocation even easier. Additionally, they may offer specialized packing services for fragile and specialty items, as well as storage solutions and electronics installation.
Whether you need assistance with all or part of your move, local movers can provide help for every stage of the relocation process. For example, they can aid in packing and unpacking for you or your elderly loved one. They can also clean and tidy up your old home before leaving or help you organize your new space. In addition to these services, local movers can assist with the transportation of vehicles and pets and offer floor protection for wet weather or snow. They can also provide storage options, such as self-storage and mobile storage containers.
Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood down the block or across town, there are local moving companies that can help you make the transition. These professionals offer complete moving services, from packing and loading to transporting and unloading. Their expertise helps you save time and money while ensuring the safety of your belongings.
Local movers understand that every move is unique and can handle moves of all sizes. They can also accommodate special requests, such as the need to move delicate or antique items. They can provide specialized equipment and vehicles for these types of items. For example, they may use a shuttle truck instead of an 18-wheeler to get through narrow streets and tight corners.
These movers are also familiar with the local area’s parking regulations and building restrictions. They know how to navigate the city’s streets and avoid costly fines. They can even assist you with finding parking on your move day, especially if you’re moving in a densely-populated urban area.
Many local movers have insurance coverage to protect your possessions. This is important because you can file a claim if something goes wrong during the move. It’s also a good idea to ask your moving company about their liability coverage before hiring them for a move.
Local movers offer specialized services that can help you with unique items like large furniture, appliances and heavy equipment. They can also pack and move valuables such as antiques, high-end decor, electronics and wine collections. They can even provide storage services for these items at their facility.
Local movers typically charge a flat or hourly rate for their services. Before you sign a contract, make sure to get a binding estimate that is guaranteed not to exceed the total cost of moving and save all moving-related receipts, as you may be able to deduct them on your taxes. You should also ask your movers about their liability limits and insurance options.
A full-service local moving company will usually include packing, loading and unloading services in their quotation. They may also include other services, such as disassembling and reassembling, at an additional cost. However, it is important to note that you should prepare your own inventory list and count boxes as they are loaded and unloaded. This can help in a successful loss and damage claim settlement.
Be prepared to supply your movers with snacks and drinks during the move. They will have a busy schedule and may not have time to stop for lunch or make a quick trip to the convenience store. You can offer energy bars and bottled water to keep them hydrated. You should also provide them with tools such as screwdrivers and hammers to help with disassembly and reassembly. This will save you money on tool rental fees and reduce the chances of injury during the move.
Whether you’re moving a one-bedroom apartment across town or a family home several blocks away, it can be cost-effective to hire local movers rather than doing it yourself. The cost to rent a truck and buy supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and furniture pads can add up quickly and come close to what you’ll pay a professional mover for the same services.
Moving can be physically exhausting, even for the fittest people. You can protect yourself by avoiding overly heavy or bulky items and breaking down large pieces of furniture when possible. It’s also a good idea to use equipment such as furniture dollies, stair dollies, and furniture sliders. This will not only save you time, but will also reduce the chance of injury.
Depending on your experience with the moving company, you may want to consider tipping the movers. However, before you do, double-check the contract to ensure that gratuity is already included in your moving costs. Generally, it’s customary to tip between $4 and $5 per hour of work. If you feel the movers have done an exceptional job, you can also opt for a larger percentage of your total moving cost. It’s also a good idea for everyone involved to wear masks and practice sanitary measures such as hand sanitizer during the move to avoid spreading germs.