Moving can be a nerve-wracking affair. A lot can go wrong. You can lose some or all your property to fraudulent movers. Also, many people get the shock of their life after receiving the final bill. There’s really no safety net when you’re dealing with movers. It’s usually a shot in the dark and it’s your work to do your due diligence to get a reputable mover such as Hudson movers. Clarify all costs and ask as many questions as possible. Find out what the agreed upon price covers and what additional costs you can expect. Here are some tips to help you avoid hidden moving costs.
1. Provide All Necessary Information
Give your mover detailed and accurate information of the stuff you will be moving. Point out exactly how many boxes you have and what size they are. Let them know if they will have to navigate a flight of stairs or if they can use an elevator. Clarify where they will be taking apart furniture and putting it back together. If you have anything that needs special handling, bring it to their attention. Make sure you have all the packing material required as your mover will charge additional fees for providing theirs. Avoid asking the movers to do things they’d not normally do.
2. Make Parking Arrangements in Advance
Find out whether the moving company truck will be able to park directly outside your new home. If you need to, secure a parking permit in advance to avoid delays and long-carrying fees should parking become an issue. Most cities have special permits for moving vehicles that allow them to occupy multiple parking spaces for a longer time than normal. Applying for the permit can take a few weeks so it’s best to start the process early.
3. Empty All Cabinets, Shelves, and Drawers
Movers never transport full drawers and cabinets. If they will need to empty your furniture, you will be billed for the labor and the packing material they’ll use. The process might also delay your move and result in additional wait time.
4. Avoid Extra Stops Along the Way
Any stops you make along the way will be logged as extra stops and will be billed. If you need to pick up stuff from your parent’s house or from a storage facility, it is best to plan prior to the day of the move.
5. Don’t Make Last Minute Additions
The price charged by your mover is based on your inventory. If you make any last-minute additions to your inventory, you will be billed an additional amount. Should there be extra items that were unaccounted for when you were getting a quote, you can carry them yourself instead of having the mover carry them for you.
6. Give Clear Directions
Make sure the moving company gets precise directions to where you’re moving. They should have GPS and won’t have a hard time locating your new home if you give them the right location. Note that any extra time spent locating your home will be billed. These may make up part of the hidden moving costs that will appear in your bill.
