Swamp Rabbit Moving Blog
The Best Questions To Ask Moving Companies
Searching for a moving company? We feel for you. There are so many to choose from, and it’s a big decision. Not earth-shattering, of course, but important nonetheless. After all, this company will be responsible for handling and moving all of your most precious possessions. You want to be sure you choose the right one for you to keep your things safe and help lower your moving day stress.
But how do you ensure you’re selecting the right mover for you? Don’t simply choose the company with the lowest price. Read on for a few questions you can ask potential movers to determine if they are for you.
Question #1: What is your experience with this type of move?
Each and every move is different. Sure, it’s all the same at a baseline: you’re moving things from one place to another. The details, however, are varied and require an expert approach.
Thankfully, a truly expert mover will have experience in various moves. Have a discussion with your mover about your particular needs. If you’re moving out of a modern high rise and into a fourth-floor walk-up, they’ll need to know how to navigate elevators and stairwells. Shifting from a big city to a small town? Your mover will know exactly how to plan for a smooth move.
There are also instances when movers need special equipment and know-how, including moving large, bulky, or otherwise awkward items. If you have a hot tub, pool table, piano, antique furniture, or large pieces of artwork, you fit this category. Check with your mover to be sure they know how to handle these pieces with care.
Question #2: What is included in my quote?
Finding a mover feels like a lot of work; we get it. But don’t rush into signing on the dotted line so you can cross it off your list. Make sure you understand what’s included in your quote before you commit.
You don’t want to get caught with surprise fees, so talk to your mover to find out what is (and isn’t) included in the price you’ve received. Is there a charge for moving blankets or other supplies to keep your items protected in the truck? Does your mover charge an additional fee for complicated entryways, navigating staircases, or if they need to park a long distance from your door? You’ll want to know that. Ask your mover if there’s anything that may affect the overall price on moving day.
Accountability
When moving your own items, if one were to get damaged, you have no one to blame but yourself. When choosing Swamp Rabbit Moving, if an item were to be damaged due to the fault of our company, we will replace the item(s) for you and take responsibility for our actions. This kind of insurance is great to have, and is not provided by many other companies. Nobody wants to have a friend move them and they end up breaking their $2,000 television. How uncomfortable would that be asking for them to pay for it out of pocket when they were trying to help you!
Work Ethic
Our team is considered one of the best in the Upstate! When you work with Swamp Rabbit Moving you know you are hiring trained and experienced movers to handle your move. What may seem daunting to you is an easy task for our team. We work hard from beginning to end of the job, whether it’s 100 degrees outside or below freezing. Our team truly cares about every move.
How To Be Sure Your Moving Day Goes Smoothly
40 million Americans are moving to a new city at least once a year.
Imagine packing away your life into boxes, cramming them into your car, and driving miles away. Talk about a major headache. When you tell the story of your first day in your new home, the story should sound sweet and joyful.
If you’re looking for the most convenient and effective way to move in, then you should hire movers. Movers strategically and professionally transport your belongings, so you don’t have to. The more you know about moving with the help of movers, the better your move in will be.
On Your Move-In Day
Your movers provide peace of mind during the relocation process. Depending on the moving services, movers can help in the following areas:
- Disassemble your furniture
- Pack up your belongings
- Load the truck
- Safely deliver your belongings
- Unpack everything into the new place
You should expect timeliness, attention to detail, and respect from your movers. On moving day, your movers will carefully pack away each room separately and get them to your new home safely.
Things You Can Do
What you should know before moving day is your movers have certain expectations of you. Your movers don’t expect you to join in on the heavy lifting, but there are other things you can do to make the move a success.
Last Minute Round-up
Make sure to do your part and address your last-minute to-do list. Declutter your house and pre-pack what you can. Organize and identify boxes based on location and contents.
Keep Your Essentials Separate and Accessible
There are items you should keep separated in case of emergencies or for personal reasons. Jewelry, medications, and essential records should be kept in a place you can get to quickly. Pack these in a box that is kept with you throughout the move.
Remember, movers will pack what they see. It’s your responsibility to separate and label any items you’re personally taking with you or don’t need to be packed.
Be Available to the Movers
Sometimes movers need to consult with the clients. They won’t know exactly where everything should go or what you need to access right away. You should expect to be around or in your house so they can ask you any necessary questions.
Keep the Pets and Kids Out of the Way
Safety is essential during the moving process. Often young children and pets can easily get underfoot, so movers recommend keeping them in a safe room out of the way or better yet at a sitter’s home.
Movers Make it Easy
Although moving is stressful for many, when you’re moving with a team, it doesn’t have to be.
You should have clear expectations for your movers and yourself. This will allow for an exciting new transition in your life.
Moving someplace new sometime soon? We can give you a free quote and help make your move-in process spectacular.
Pros And Cons Of Using A Moving Company
You’ve found your new home, and now it’s time to pack up the rest of your stuff. But where do you start? A road trip wouldn’t be too much of a hassle, but, let’s face it – a major move has lots of challenges in itself. How do you decide what to take and leave? What about furniture that doesn’t fit in your new place? High quality flooring is worth protecting.
You’re about to make the biggest move of your life. Congrats! You are about to embark on an incredible journey in your new home. But before you get too excited, you might want to consider what a DIY move is all about. A little armchair research might help inform your decisions so that you can make the best out of moving day.
Pros
If you’re searching for an alternative to professional movers, are low-maintenance, and don’t require the finer details, then a self-move is the way to go. If you have enough help from friends and family, you can save yourself the time, money and headache on moving day by tackling the project yourself. There are a few things that you need to know prior to jumping into this adventure.
Saving Money
If money and freedom are your reasons for moving on your own, take a deeper look into the do-it-yourself (DIY) mover’s world. By choosing to move yourself and hiring a moving company to transport your items, you could actually save some cash overall.
Create Your Own Timeline
When moving yourself, you’ll be able to pack and unpack your belongings at a speed that works best for you. You’re also free to move into your new home throughout the day, instead of trying to complete the entire job in one fell swoop. The seamless relocating process offered through a DIY move will give you the freedom to manipulate your schedule as you see fit. Talk with a mover today to learn more about this exciting moving option.
If you have a big move, you can also spread the project out over a few days. That means you can move your furniture in and get it arranged before hauling boxes over. Or if you found the perfect sofa on Craigslist that looks like it was genuinely made for your new living room, you can use the truck to go scoop it up.
Don’t Stress About Your Packing
If you’re looking at a full-service moving company, they’ll pack and unpack your boxes for you. Of course, there’s a benefit to that – these professionals know their way around a meticulously packed trunk full of dishes, artwork, and books.
Full-service moving companies handle all of the packing and unpacking for you, which most people prefer and consider a benefit. These firms also have been known to use more gentle methods when loading your belongings into vans, such as bubble wrap and thick blankets, in order to protect your things from scratches or bumps.
Cons
Some downsides to DIY moves include: all of your possessions are in transit instead of in one place; additional time commitments; you may have to travel across country to complete the move personally; you may be affected by weather conditions or road congestion on the journey. Additionally, DIY moves require a lot of planning and energy, which are too often overlooked until the last minute, leaving the mover with little time for packing
It’s A Tough Job
When you hire professional movers, you’ll rest easy knowing that you don’t have to worry about the heavy lifting and carrying. These trained professionals will do all of it for you, right down to the disassembly and reassembly. This can be a massive relief when you’re dealing with an already stressful time like moving.
It’s Time Consuming
When considering a DIY move, one of the most common concerns is how long it will take. Most people figure they’ll be able to come into town, rent a moving truck, spend a few hours packing up their stuff and then settle into their new home without any hassle.
It’s Full of Surprises
When you hire a professional mover, you know exactly the cost you will be facing. Your quote is given to you beforehand and you can discuss any questions or concerns at that time. You know moving your items will be done safely and efficiently, as the movers have experience as well as the proper equipment, such as trolleys, straps, padding, and blankets. Professional movers also avoid accidental injury by avoiding situations like inappropriate lifting without taking time off work or risking damage to your property.