What comes with the record setting number of home sales in Fairfield County in 2020? A record number of moves for home buyers and sellers! Throughout this busy year, we received numerous questions and feedback from our clients about their moving experience.
Our goal is to help minimize stress from the entire process of buying or selling a home. Hopefully you will find these tips helpful in planning your next move.
Know who you are hiring.
There is a difference between hiring a moving broker and a moving company. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website gives a good description of the difference:
“Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company.
A moving broker is not a mover. A broker does not assume responsibility for, and is not authorized to transport, your household goods. Brokers do not have moving trucks or professional movers. Brokers for interstate moves are required to use only movers that are registered with FMCSA.
Sometimes the broker is not able to sell the job to a moving company for various reasons – low estimates, no availability, limited resources, etc. – and in this case you can get stuck without a mover on the day of your move. Many moving brokers operate from call centers located anywhere in the country.”
Find a reputable mover.
If friends and family don’t have a personal recommendation to offer, check with your state (CT Department of Transportation) to get a list of licensed movers in your area.
Check to see if there are any other names the company “does business as,” and obtain their state and federal license numbers. Avoid companies that seem to switch their name often. Take note of how long have they been in business.
Ask for references, three customers within the past three months. Make the phone calls to ask about their experience!
The company’s website should be reasonably up-to-date, they should have a physical address listed (not a PO Box) and their phone should be answered (politely) with the full name of the company.
Ask if their employees or contractors are covered by Workmen’s Compensation Insurance. Accidents happen and you don’t want to be caught in the middle.
Be sure the can handle any specialty items you may have (ie. piano, billiards table) and inquire about storage options if needed.
Get a Written Estimate.
A reputable moving company will take inventory of all your belongings to estimate the bulk and weight of your move either in person or through a virtual survey. The estimator should be thorough and check all of your storage places such as cabinets, drawers, garages and bookcases. Be sure to note items that will not be moved — donations, things left for buyers or things to be disposed of. The mover’s price is partially based on the weight and volume of your belongings, so you want the estimate to be as accurate as possible.
Moving Contract.
There are three types of moving contracts:
A non-binding estimate on your contract means the company cannot require payment above 110% of the original estimate, unless total weight exceeds the estimate. Any overages must be paid within 30 days of delivery.
A binding-not-to exceed estimate on your contract ensures that you will not have to pay for any overages to the original estimate. The estimate is the maximum you’ll be required to pay for any services rendered and you could pay less if they over-estimated the weight of your belongings.
A binding estimate on your contract is a guaranteed price for the move and all extras and services. If you request additional services (such as unpacking), any extra fees must be paid within 30 days of delivery)
Whichever type of estimate you choose, be sure pick up and delivery dates are clearly specified and any extras (such as navigating stairs, packing or unpacking, time restraints) and specialty items like pianos are addressed in the contract.
Don’t pay up front.
Reputable movers won’t demand cash or a large deposit before moving. You should only pay upon delivery. If you pay in advance, you have no control over when you will see your belongings again. When you do pay, use a credit card to help protect you from possible fraudulent activity.
Moving Insurance.
Interstate movers must offer two types of insurance coverage.
The default is Full Value Protection. Under this option, the mover’s liability for loss may be limited to articles of extraordinary value, unless you list these articles specifically on the shipping documents. The exact cost for Full Value Protection varies by mover and they may offer various deductible levels of liability to reduce your cost. Ask your mover for written details. Under this coverage the movers has the option to repair damaged items or replace with another of like-kind (your three-year old TV would be replaced with a similar 3-year old tv, not a new model).
The other option is a no-cost Released Value Protection, offering minimal protection ($.60 per pound). So a damaged 3 pound MacBook Pro would net you $1.80).
Note: Packing perishable, dangerous or hazardous materials may limit your coverage in either option and items you pack yourself may be excluded.
Consider getting additional third-party coverage if you plan to move valuable items or store them for more than 90 days. Don’t assume your home owners policy provides coverage — reach out to your local agent to discuss.
Packing — Do it Yourself or Let the Movers Pack?
As noted above, packing yourself can limit the moving company’s liability for damaged items. It also is very time consuming and can increase the risk of damage (do-it-yourselfers tend to use non-traditional packing materials).
But on the flip-side, packing yourself can lower your overall moving cost and the stress surrounding the move. If time permits, packing yourself gives you the flexibility to sort through your belongings and purge if necessary. Unpacking may be easier too as you can take time while packing to organize your belongings and label boxes to suit your new residence.
If you choose to pack yourself, we recommend using quality packing supplies, especially for valuable items. Specialty boxes (dish pack, wardrobe, picture) are expensive but can be invaluable to protect your items. Boxes (and mattress bags!) can be purchased from any moving company.
Moving Day.
Try to open each box and sift through it to check for damage. Note any problems on the mover’s copy of the bill of lading before signing it. But we get it, this is an exhausting and stressful day! At a minimum, cross out any language about releasing or discharging your mover or its agents from liability. By law, you have nine (9) months to file a written claim.
Tip the Movers?
If you had a great move, tipping is customary. Generally, $4-5 per hour of work, per person is appropriate. Of course, an ice-cold beverage or lunch are a nice thank-you too.