Before you hire a moving company, you should make sure you know exactly what to look for in a good mover. Here are some of the red flags to look for:
Costs of moving company
The costs of moving a home vary considerably, depending on size and distance. Small apartment moves will cost less than a full-service move, while large homes will require more expensive labor. Full-service movers provide a range of services, ranging from packing to unpacking. While full-service movers may seem more expensive, their services save time and money. Another option is to rent a portable storage container, often referred to as moving pods or portable on demand storage. While moving a small apartment or home is cheaper than hiring a full-service mover, they are not as convenient as full-service movers.
My mother-in-law and her husband recently relocated from Ontario London, Ontario moving company reviews to Moncton, New Brunswick, and found themselves saddled with a $15,000 bill. They opted to hire Greenway Moving and Storage Inc., a company with a poor reputation. Fortunately, they did a better job than I could have, as they did a good job packing and moving my house – but at a considerable cost.
Red flags to look out for
There are many red flags to look out for when hiring movers. Whether you’re moving across town or state, movers should be licensed and insured to protect your belongings and the items in your home. Make sure they have these credentials, too. If they don’t, they’re most likely operating illegally. You also want to ask about their experience. You can also check reviews online.
A moving company should have a verified address and business card. A company can’t operate out of a 10 x 10-foot studio apartment – they need to have a base of operations. Some moving companies are brokers, not actual movers. Even if they can point to a verified address, they’re still merely intermediaries. Look for these red flags to avoid hiring a rogue moving company.
Insurance plans offered by moving companies
Many moving companies offer insurance plans that can protect your possessions in case something goes wrong during your move. These policies may include the release value protection plan and the full value protection plan. The former is more comprehensive and will cover the full value of your possessions. The latter, on the other hand, may not cover as much as the former. Depending on your budget, you can choose between these two options. Depending on the type of moving services you need, you can choose between these options.
Full replacement value protection covers the replacement value of your items. Federal law requires movers to offer full value protection. This plan will cover the cost of replacing your possessions with a similar one or paying for repairs. When selecting a plan, ask your moving company about the details. Find out how much it will cover and how you can limit your liability. The price of this coverage plan will vary from company to company, so be sure to shop around.
Costs of moving on your own
When moving on your own, you’ll likely face a number of expenses. You’ll have to pay a security deposit (which is generally equal to a month’s rent) and possibly a pet deposit, plus fees to hook up utilities. You’ll also probably need to make repairs, install smoke detectors, and replace a security system. In addition, you’ll likely want to renovate some areas of the home before you move in. Storage can cost from $100 to $300 a month.
In addition to the rent, you’ll need to pay utility and property taxes. While many utilities are the same in different cities, some locations have higher utility costs than others. For example, Whole Foods is more expensive than the local Piggly Wiggly. And you’ll have to pay for new toiletries and cleaning supplies. These expenses can quickly add up. If you’re relocating by yourself, you should leave some wiggle room in your budget so you can do things on your own.