There are several important things you should know before you hire a mover.  The first two things to remember throughout the process is to keep your cool and plan ahead.

Scratches happen; nerves get frayed.  Keep things in perspective; know that you cannot prevent every little accident, but you can take steps to avoid most surprises.  Hiring professional movers can save you from making some expensive mistakes.  Here are some tips to help your move go smoothly:

Advance Research for you to do:

• Find out about the company’s record; check reference
• Check with the Better Business Bureau for consumer complaints
• Verify the status of their licenses with the US DOT, State DOT or ICC
• Check into the amount of liability protection the moving company provides for lost or damaged goods.  Also check with your agent to see if your current homeowners’ insurance can be used as a supplement or if you need to buy additional transit insurance.
• Document a complete inventory of your belongings before you pack
• Find out about the moving services the company provides

Communication with the Movers:

• Make sure the movers know how many stairs there are at your new home
• Let the movers know if there are any low-hanging utility wires or tree branches in your current home or at the new home that may impede the moving truck

Complete the Contract

• Ask about special gratuities and commit them in writing
• Be sure the contract includes a guarantee of how long the job will take
• Make sure the contract is clear and includes all charges and important dates and times, including packing, pick-up, delivery, etc…
• Supervise the entire loading process; do not leave your home before the movers are ready to head to your new home.  You will have to sign a bill of lading when the truck is loaded.

How you can help the Movers

• Make sure everything is ready when the movers arrive.  Coffee and refreshments are a nice personal gesture to warm them up to you; remember, they’re moving your prized possessions.  You might also consider buying pizza for lunc.
• Good communication is key; be available to answer questions and be sure to address anything that makes you uncomfortable.  At the same time, remember that they do this for a living; be careful not to micromanage the movers.
• Keep a positive attitude; keep your mood light and spirits up.
• Have plenty of bottled water available to keep hydrated; the move is hectic enough without adding a trip to the hospital.

Additional Tips

• Some of your things are difficult to impossible to replace, so you will want to pack them separately and move them in your vehicle.  This includes important documents like wills or deeds, jewelry, computers, art work, photos and home videos to name a few.
• Do a final clean-up in the home; sweep, vacuum, and fill holes in the walls.  This could make a big difference in your security deposit if you are renting.

Moving is a big job.  Advance preparation and organization is key to making the move go smoothly.  Your real estate professional should be able to provide advice and refer a good moving company to assist you.