5 Things to Keep in Mind When Moving
/Happy mid-May!
I told you back in March in my “Freedom to Move” blog post that my family and I are relocating from Chicago to Charlotte N.C. We are getting ready to move in early June and I promised to share a few tips from my own experience. Well, I learned a lot about securing a mover that you pay for yourself (hint: not one paid for by your new employer to relocate you to a new city). Investing in an excellent moving company just may save your sanity!
I want you, or someone you know who’s moving, to focus on the following factors when choosing a moving company:
Moving company type. One of the first steps in choosing a moving company is to figure out what type of moving company you need. There is a wide range of moving companies, from business relocation movers, who are typically by a new job, to self-service movers. Take a look at these twelve different types of moving companies, which fill various needs, including yours.
Customer service. Let’s face it - moving is stressful. In order to minimize your stress, you should want customer service. Typically, you will pay more for companies that have a reputation for great service. I think customer service is really important, and if you are willing to pay a premium to move, then don’t skimp on the customer service. I think you’ll want to know who will shepherd you through the moving process, and guide you in case there are problems or you need to get your questions answered or make adjustments.
Price. Most moving companies price by distance and weight, with added costs for packing, boxes, fuel surcharges, storage options, and insurance (see below). Moving from the Midwest to the east coast will probably run you anywhere from $8,000 to over $15,000. In my experience, companies may send out an estimator, which is typically outsourced, to come to your home to catalog all of the items you want to move so that they can estimate the weight. If your moving company does not send an estimator but rather relies on you to conduct the estimate, be mindful that your catalog might be off. Find out whether your moving company charges a flat rate or adjusts based on the actual weight (versus the estimate).
Availability. You probably have a date in mind that you want to move. As such, the moving company’s ability to accommodate your desires is extremely important. Some moving companies will give you a ‘date range’ for the move, but others can surely lock in a specific date to move. Also, you should have good clarity as to when you should expect to receive your goods. Please ask the company to tell you the average days it takes to move similar homes going similar distances. Ultimately, your move date is also impacted by other moves to the final destination.
Insurance options. Make sure you investigate the type of insurance coverage that you need to provide payment in case something happens to your precious items. Insurance provides payment to you if the movers break or misplace your items in transit. I know - paying for insurance sucks! But, given the value of everything in your home, you should determine which type of insurance will work best for you. You can typically get partial coverage or full coverage. Also, many moving companies will ask you to itemize any ‘high value’ goods (over a certain value) as part of your contract. You should surely itemize these goods so that the movers pay special attention so that these items are not damaged.
What other factors have been important to you in moving? Please share on my blog.
Finally, please check out the following sources for comprehensive reviews of the best moving companies in 2022:
A Wealthy Girl Corner
The school year is ending and I’m sure you’ve already evaluated options for what in the world you will do with your children for summer break. Wealth is all about creating experiences for your kids to build their own memories!
So, let me know what you’ve got planned for your kids in a quick survey!
Happy summer planning!
