Many people are moving into new homes today -or thinking about moving next month. You should keep in mind that all movers are not created equal. A couple viewers told us their moving horror stories over the weekend. I'm still investigating what went wrong in their particular cases --but the start of the month is a good time to review for everyone some "best practices" when it comes to hiring movers.
First off -get more than one quote. And don't always go for the lowest bid, go for the lowest qualified bid and that's an important distinction. Check with the Better Business Bureau and look for movers with the highest ratings -- that's an A or A+. Get three estimates and they have to estimate in person -- not over the phone. If they don't come to your home -- it's not professional -- and the mover can't give you a realistic estimate based on what you have unless they see it. .
Get absolutely everything in writing: your estimate should include how many workers are at each end, and at what hourly rate, how many hours for packing and unpacking, driving time and associated charges, and who pays for weather or traffic delays.
And read the contract front and back before you sign it. Good movers will be careful, for example they will wrap furniture to prevent damage. So it pays to go check them out --- look at their building -- their staff-- their trucks before you hire them.
And one final thing and don't hire anyone who only operates on a cell-phone or advertises on a power pole -- it doesn't make sense to entrust them with all your possessions, you want professionals who will do everything right.
The Canadian Association of Movers has some other good tips.
