Getting quotes from Providence Moving Company can help you find the best value. Ideally, these quotes should be based on in-home surveys and detailed inventories of your belongings.
In addition to transporting your items, movers can also handle storage and assemble them in your new home. Typically, these services cost more than simply transporting your belongings.
Choosing the right movers to work with is a vital part of the moving process. It requires careful consideration of your needs and the capabilities of different companies. A good place to start is with personal recommendations from friends and family, as well as online reviews. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential movers, check their credentials. This includes the full legal name, “doing business as” (DBA) names, and the number of years in business. Additionally, look for a mover that has a federal license from the FMCSA and carries liability insurance. Be wary of a company that requests an advanced deposit or refuses to provide a written contract and estimate.
When comparing prices, take into account the extra services you want, such as packing and storage. Also, be aware of the type of move you’re making: local, interstate, or cross-country. Local moves are within 50 miles, while interstate and cross-country moves require special licensing and insurance.
Finally, be sure to get an itemized breakdown of costs from each mover. A legitimate moving company will include all applicable fees and charges in the quote. This should also include a delivery date and pick-up date. It’s also important to check if the moving company offers additional insurance policies.
It’s also a good idea to ask if the company offers flat-rate or hourly estimates. While both have advantages, flat-rate movers may be more cost-effective because they’re incentivized to complete the move quickly and efficiently. However, hourly movers might be able to offer more flexibility when it comes to scheduling and last-minute changes. They might even be able to accommodate a pet-friendly policy. This is especially important for families that need to schedule around work and school obligations.
Getting an Estimate
Whether you’re moving within the same city or across the country, you should always get an estimate from a professional mover before you book your relocation. Many companies offer free, no-obligation estimates and quotes in person or over the phone. Others may require a detailed home inventory to provide an accurate price, especially for local moves. Be sure to check that the quote includes all costs of labor, packing materials, insurance, and other services. In addition, be sure to understand how your mover will calculate prices. For example, some interstate movers charge by the cubic foot of space your belongings take up in their trucks, while others use weight as the primary measure.
In-person estimates are the most thorough but also the most time-consuming, as movers have to walk through your entire home and talk through all of your items. If you want to speed up the process, consider scheduling a video call or pre-recorded walkthrough of your home. But be aware that these options won’t be as detailed and might not cover all your moving needs, such as specialized services like disassembly or packing.
If you’re moving interstate, it’s even more important to get a physical estimate because federal rules established by the FMCSA say that movers must have a qualified estimator visit your house and survey your belongings in order to provide a binding estimate or a nonbinding one with a guaranteed total cost. Be wary of a mover that asks you to sign incomplete documents on moving day because they could try to add charges that you didn’t agree to. A legitimate moving company will provide you with a line-item contract that details exactly how your move will be priced.
Not helping the mover
While movers make every effort to assure that items are not lost or damaged during transportation, such incidents do occur. You have the right to dispute mover charges for loss or damage with your mover under federal regulations governing interstate moves. It is best to resolve disputes through a cooperative settlement with your mover. If that is not possible, certain government agencies have complaint resolution programs for consumers.
Before hiring a moving company, read the pamphlet the mover must provide on its procedures for handling questions and complaints. You should also ask for a copy of the mover’s bill of lading (contract), which contains important information such as how the mover will calculate its shipment charge and what its liability is for loss or damage to your goods.
Ask the mover to use a table of measurements to compute the cubic feet of space required for your shipment. This may help prevent a situation where your shipment is too large for one truck. In that event, your shipment may be divided for transport on two or more trucks, and your transportation charges will be determined as if the entire shipment moved on one truck.
Inquire whether your mover will permit payment of its transportation charges by credit card, nationally recognized charge, or traveler’s check. If the mover requires payment of its charges in cash, certified check, or money order, you should be sure that this requirement is stated on the mover’s written estimate and bill of lading.
Your movers will be shuttling heavy boxes around for hours, and they don’t need your kids or pets running amok. If you have a family member or friend who can watch them, have them do so. The movers will be much more efficient if they have no distractions.
Resolving Claims
While it may be tempting to get into a fight with your moving company about damaged or lost items, the best way to resolve your claim is to approach the issue calmly and rationally. Start by reaching out to your move coordinator and providing a detailed description of what went wrong along with any supporting documentation. Then wait—it could take up to 30 days for a mover to acknowledge your claim and 120 days for them to provide a resolution (either reimbursement or a repair schedule).
Local and intrastate moves are regulated by state public utilities commissions, while interstate moves follow guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This means that the process for filing and resolving claims will be slightly different for each type of move.
It’s also important to note that while moving companies are required to carry liability insurance, they cannot sell it directly to customers. This is why it’s important to research third-party insurers that offer full and released value protection, along with the option for full replacement value coverage.
Depending on how you feel about the moving company’s response to your complaint, it may be worth taking the next step and contacting your state Attorney General. This person acts as the chief legal officer for your state and advises government agencies, so they’re a great resource if you need help resolving your dispute with your mover.
Another good way to put more pressure on a moving company to resolve your claim is to write a review online. This will notify other potential customers of the quality of service that you received, which can help drive more business their way.