Getting ready for a local move has its own unique anxiety level, but employing a professional moving company to transfer your belongings from one residence to the other can save you a lot of time and agony. Of course, when attempting to find a local moving company, you want to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. As you interview and acquire quotes from promising professional movers in Houston, here are some critical questions to ask that will assist you to reach a conclusion.
1. Is Your Quote Binding?
Ideally, you will want to find a company that provides an in-home quote to give you the most specific quote possible. Going with a company that offers a binding or "not-to-exceed" price could also give you peace of mind as you make your decision.
2. Will My Things Stay in the Same Trailer in Houston?
Some moving companies may transfer your things from one truck to another during the transporting process, which should be sidestepped if at all possible. Transloading your things means loading and unloading them multiple times, which inherently increases the chance of damage or loss. Unless storage is required, finding a local mover that will keep your items on the same truck for a local move from origin to destination will diminish that risk.
3. How Much Valuation Coverage is Included?
Most companies include some basic form of liability valuation as part of their pricing, which most likely covers an amount based on the weight of the item that is damaged (for example, $0.60 per pound). However, this coverage may not be enough for items that may not weigh a lot, but are exensive to replace. Full coverage options are usually available and can be bought from the moving company for added peace of mind and security.
4. What Services or Materials May Cost Extra?
Make sure to find out exactly what is covered in your estimated rate, and ask if there are some other services or materials that would result in additional charges. For instance, if you'd like your antique furniture to be pad wrapped or to have protective padding put over your carpet while moving larger items, you might face additional material and labor charges from some companies, so it's a good idea to find out about these costs ahead of time so there aren't any surprises later on.
5. Is There Anything You Will Not Move?
Most all moving companies will give you an all-inclusive list of items that their movers can’t touch for liability or other reasons. Some examples of items you may end up needing to move yourself (or make other plans for) include:
At A-1 Freeman Moving Group, we take great pride in the accurate moving estimates we are able to supply to our customers, all of which include a free in-home consultation. And unlike many other moving companies, we're also glad to offer expert tear-down, moving and assembly of items such as play sets, grandfather clocks, appliances, pianos and much more.
With over forty years of service to Houston and the surrounding communities, A-1 Freeman Moving is devoted to making your approaching local move as easy as possible. All of our moving crews are background checked and drug tested, and they have an average of 10 years of experience in packing, furniture protection, safety and item transport.
To find out more about how we can help you or to get started with an estimate for a local move, contact us today. We look forward to assisting you!
