As you prepare to move, you are likely on the hunt for a moving company to help you get the job done. While most moving companies are legitimate and honest, there are always a few out there that will pull a fast one on you. Unfortunately, those illegitimate moving companies are always the ones that offer the cheapest prices to get you in the door.
You don’t want your moving experience to be a bad one, so take heed of these tips and do not let a moving company pull a fast one on you.
Cheap Prices Do NOT Mean Good Deals
As you look for a moving company, you will be presented with many different quotes and prices. One of the things you want to keep your eye out for is a price that is too good to be true. When a price is just too cheap, especially if it is cheaper than other quotes you receive, this is a red flag.
Often, moving companies who will pull a fast one on you will offer you a lucrative price to get you as a customer because it is usually easy as most consumers go for the best price. Do not let this fool you and make sure to understand the true cost and if it includes any additional fees.
As a final note, always get more than a single quote. You should receive, at minimum, three different quotes to compare.
Get Your Own Materials
One of the ways that moving companies make money is to sell you moving supplies. These supplies are much more expensive than the supplies you can purchase in the big box store. Also, you can sometimes get boxes for free when you contact a grocery store, so this will save you some money.
While you may think that it is easier for you to just get the moving supplies through the moving company, it will cost you a lot more money to do so. Also, keep in mind that the moving companies will charge you to use their items such as the dolly and blankets in the moving trucks.
Be as Prepared as Possible
While you may never be as prepared as you want to be, you should keep in mind that time costs you money. This means that the more time you need the movers, the larger your bill will be in the end. You want to make sure that you spend some time doing the prep work so that you can be as prepared as possible to minimize just how much the movers need to do. Shaving an hour or two off the move time will save you a couple hundred dollars in most cases.
If you find that you are becoming overwhelmed with the process or you need additional help, it is okay to turn to the movers for that help but do keep in mind that you will be charged extra. Not all moving companies tell you this.
Don’t Get Scammed!
Most moving companies are reputable and not out to pull the wool over your eyes, but it does happen. Watch out for extra charges, hidden fees, and bad reviews online too.