Chino Hills Real Estate Blog : Tips for Hiring Moving Companies

Tips for Hiring Moving Companies

The traditional home-buying season is in full swing, meaning many people will be packing boxes and looking for companies to help make the move as painless as possible. The American Moving & Storage Association has tips to help with a smooth move.
Customers making interstate moves should check whether the moving company is registered as required with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, at www.protectyourmove.gov.
Consumers should insist on receiving in-person estimates, rather than over-the-phone estimates. The movers can say the homeowner has more belongings than they were told about. By federal law, movers with offices within 50 miles of the house are required to survey the items before providing an estimate.
Homeowners also should sign a binding agreement, to ensure they pay the estimated amount, regardless of the weight of the actual shipment. With a non-binding agreement, the final price for moving services isn’t estimated until the shipment is loaded and weighed. Even with a binding agreement, movers can tack on fees for moving into a dwelling on a steep hill or in a crowded city or with a lot of steps, so customers should inquire about additional fees.