Moving Down the Street? Here are Five Strategies to Deal with Local Movers

Moving to a new state, city, or even down the street is stressful enough. Add to that the hard work of choosing a moving company you can trust enough to help you in this endeavor. Here are five strategies to help you choose the right team for your move.

1. Check the rules and regulations for local movers.

Rules and regulations in the moving industry vary considerably depending on the mover type. According to cheapmoversmiami.com, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees interstate movers, but that’s not always the case for local movers. Even though some must also follow federal standards, most local movers are subject to state laws.

Check out the company with your state’s moving association, the local consumer affairs agency, or the Better Business Bureau before hiring.

2. Choose a company that’s licensed, certified, and insured.

For a seamless experience, always choose a mover that’s licensed, certified, and insured.

Ensure your local mover has certification through the American Moving & Storage Association’s “ProMover” program. The program requires movers to go through a stricter background check as well as to follow the association’s standards.

Next, your moving company should be insured. Most companies will offer you two levels of protection:

  • Full (Replacement) Value Protection: The mover has to repair or replace any item that is lost, damaged, or destroyed while in their possession.
  • Alternative Level of Liability: This is a free option that offers limited protection. The mover will assume liability for 60 cents per pound per item.

Lastly, consider choosing a local mover that is in the FMCSA’s contacts database.

3. Trust online reviews.

There’s not much that escapes consumers in today’s digital era. Before choosing a local mover, check the company’s online reviews. It includes Google and any social media channels the company has.

Of course, it is hard for any company only to have positive reviews online, and if they do, that should already be a red flag. Instead, read through the negative reviews too and make sure that they have been answered professionally by the company.

If the moving company does not have an online presence or hasn’t been recommended to you by a friend or family, it might be a good idea to discard it.

4. Avoid hidden fees.

The average down payment shouldn’t exceed 20 percent of the estimated total cost. Large down payments or full payments in advance are generally indicative of a moving scam.

Other extra fees to be aware of include:

  • moving to or from a higher floor apartment or two-story house
  • moving to or from a narrow street where the van won’t fit
  • additional packing costs if you have the movers pack your items

5. Ask the right questions.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of your move. Essential questions to ask are the following:

  • Are there any potential fees not being included?
  • What are the insurance terms of the move?
  • Ask about professional accreditation.
  • Does the crew have a moving experience?

Asking the right questions can come a long way when choosing a local mover. Follow these five strategies, and work with a trustworthy company that meets all of your requirements, enjoy a less stressful moving process.

Tips for Moving from State to State and the Best Seattle Moving Companies

Congrats on the exciting decision to move to Seattle! You won’t be disappointed. Seattle offers some of the country’s best local dining, shopping, entertainment, and a beautiful natural landscape. While moving can be a fun and exciting time, it can also be a stressful experience. Especially when moving from out of state, moving to Seattle can be a challenging undertaking. But don’t panic! We are here to help. We have a few tips to make your move easier as well as a couple of the top moving companies in Seattle.

First Things First, Take Inventory

As soon as you know that moving is in your future, begin taking inventory of your living space. Grab a pen and paper and move room to room writing down the things that you would like to take with you on your move to Seattle. Not only will this help you gauge the scope of your move, but it will also help you identify things that you no longer need. Get rid of the stuff you won’t be taking with you! It will lighten your load considerably!

checklist

Take Different Options Into Consideration

Now that you have an idea of what you would like to bring with you to Seattle, you can start looking into your moving options. First, decide how you are getting to Seattle. Are you flying or driving? If you are flying, will you be shipping your belongings or taking them all on the plane with you? If you are driving, can you fit your belongings in your vehicle? Or will you need to rent a trailer or possibly a truck? Once you have considered these questions you can decide if you want to handle the move yourself, or if you would like to hire a moving company to help you out.

Prepare

Once you have decided how you want to move, start preparing for the move. Buy any supplies you may need. Check out this great article for a list of items you may need.

Start Packing!

Packing can seem daunting, so give yourself plenty of time. Make sure you label all of your boxes. This will save time later on.

moving

Hire a Moving Company

Moving is no easy task; hire a moving company to help out! Here are a few of the top rated moving companies in Seattle:

Can’t Stop Moving

4253 22nd Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 466-2113

A local moving company that offers local and interstate moving services! Check out their Facebook page here.

Cheap Movers Seattle

12345 Lake City Way NE #2090
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 899-0066

This company is focused on helping people find affordable moving services in Seattle. Check out the website: www.cheapmoversseattle.com.

Eco Movers

1200 W Nickerson St
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 971-6895

Another Seattle moving company that offers local and interstate moving services. Check them out here.

Adam’s Moving and Delivery Service

Shoreline, WA
(206) 251-1725

A highly rated local moving company in Seattle. Check out their Yelp page here.

Treat Yourself

Don’t be afraid to reward yourself and all your hard work! Take it slow and pace yourself. At the end of the move, make sure to celebrate and reward your efforts. You deserve it!