How to Choose a Best Moving Company in 7 Steps

Moving is one of the most stressful times for most people. There are so many things that could go wrong and so many items that could get damaged or lost in the process. Since many things need to be taken care of, it is important to choose moving companies near me carefully. By taking your time to find the best-qualified moving company, you end up saving a lot of time and money in the end.

Picking the best professional movers is not very easy. There are so many complaints from people who have dealt with different companies. King David movers is a local moving company experienced in the field. The company works hard to get things done in time and honor estimates.

When choosing the most appropriate company, the seven steps to consider include:

1. Do your research

We all rely heavily on the internet these days, and it is a good thing that most search engines are working hard to provide the most reliable search results. As a result, when looking for the best moving company, the first thing is to conduct extensive research on Google, Yelp, and BBB. There are numerous websites that can provide you with credible information. Aside from that, spend some time asking around. Recommendations from people you trust, such as friends, family, and coworkers, can be extremely beneficial. Real estate agents can also provide this type of guidance. We always give every job our full attention, which means we have a very good track record.

We have a great article here on: How much does it cost to move an apartment?

2. Taking inventory

A professional moving company will always take the time to get an accurate moving inventory of all furniture and items that need to be moved. This is done to determine and calculate the weight and bulk involved in the move. This can either be done virtually or in person. The movers must conduct a thorough check. This is including and not limited to bookcases, cabinets, dressers and their drawers and so on. Part of our pricing is based on the weight and space occupied by inventory. A moving estimate can help you plan ahead of time. It is even better if you can obtain a free moving quote, so that you are aware of all the potential charges at the end of the move.

Here is more Detailed: 11 Tips for Hiring a Quality Moving Company

3. Avoid large deposits

When choosing a professional moving company, there are some important points to be aware of prior to move. For example, a moving company should not ask for large cash deposits before the move. If the mover requests a huge deposit, it should be a red flag. So, be alert about these small details.

4. Insurance and licensing

Expert movers must be fully licensed by the appropriate authorities. If you are working with interstate movers, ensure they have all the required documents and verify this before moving. The same way if you’re working with local movers.

5. Moving contracts

When moving, it is important to get things in writing. This lays down all the rules and guidelines to ensure that the move is as smooth as it ought to be. Moving company service providers should give moving estimates regarding any extra fees applicable during the move. To protect your rights:

Do not sign any blank contract.
Make sure the delivery and pick-up dates are clearly laid out.
Read the contract and ensure that your inventory is clearly labeled on the inventory form.

6. Professional accreditation

Trusted movers are usually members of different trade associations. There are many ways to verify your moving company before hiring them by searching on google. Having the approval of a trusted authority is the best thing as it means you are safe and will get the best quality of service.

Here is more Detailed: Choosing the best Chicago Moving Company

7. Extra costs involved in a move

Getting all things cleared out before a move makes things easier for all parties involved. If you live or are moving to a two-story house or from a 10th-floor apartment and so on, it is likely there will be extra charges involved. Make your moving plan clear to the mover you hire.

Finding a reputable moving company is not easy and sometimes could cost a little more. But be sure all movers must have all the licensing required to offer the best moving services. Requesting for a full-packing service for your entire house can also consider an additional charge if needed.

Millions of moves happen every year, and doing it right is the only guarantee of saving money and getting all your things across with no losses or damage. Moving smoothly is possible and involves hiring the best movers to offer assistance.

How much does it cost to hire movers in Chicago?

Moving houses or offices can be an exciting experience. However, if not properly planned, it can be an unpleasant and costly experience.

Availing services of a Chicago Moving Company may help relieve some of the stress by assuring you that your belongings will be handled by a dedicated team of professionals. But how much does it cost to hire movers in Chicago, and how can you save money on your relocation?

It is different for every move depending on the move size, moving locations, inventory, and more.

Drawing up an estimate, a calculation of predicted expenses, is a crucial step in the relocation process. The figure can help you budget and select the best movers.

Here are a few heads that affect the cost of the move:

Move Size

The move size and the items on your inventory list are significant factors. It makes sense that a one-bedroom apartment is faster and less costly to move than a four-bedroom apartment. Expect to pay more if you’re moving in or out of a large house. Be sure to provide the local moving company with precise data on the size of your house, the number of items and the number of boxes. Professional movers charge on an hourly basis. Thus, the longer it takes to complete the move, the more you will pay.

Here is more Detailed: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MOVE AN APARTMENT?

Here is a sample of how a moving company calculates your moving estimate.

Move Size	# Movers	Approximate Duration
Studio (231cf-400cf)	2 or 3 movers + truck	2½ – 3½ hours
1 Bedroom, Small (390cf)	2 or 3 movers + truck	2½ – 4 hours
1 Bedroom, Large (524cf)	3 movers + truck	3½ – 5 hours
2 Bedroom (892cf)	3 or 4 movers + truck	4½ – 6 hours
2 Bedroom Large (1200cf)	3 or 4 movers + truck	5 – 6 ½ hours
3 Bedroom (1300cf)	4 movers + truck	7 – 8½ hours
4 Bedroom (1815cf)	4 or 5 movers +truck	8 – 10½ hours

Accessibility

Will moving items in and out of your home pose a challenge?

Movers will consider the distance from your home to the transport vehicle, the flights of stairs, presence of an elevator and tight corners when calculating the expenses. For instance, relocating a single-family home with a driveway will be less challenging than carrying a huge wardrobe up six flights of stairs. It takes a longer time, and requires more manpower.

Packing Materials & Supplies

When it comes to collecting moving estimates, it is desirable to understand that you have two options: you can opt for a full-moving service and that’s including packing, transporting and unpacking services. Or, you can do the packing yourself and only hire movers to move your furniture and items from one location to another.

Moving firms supply wardrobe boxes, moving boxes of any size, bubble wraps, and specialized wrapping materials for any fragile and breakable items like mirrors, glass, and screens. Many also provide durable, reusable plastic bins or storage totes for rent at an additional cost.

You can cut back on the packing cost by choosing to do it yourself.

Check out this article on: 11 TIPS FOR HIRING A QUALITY MOVING COMPANY

Distance of the relocation

The distance of the relocation has a direct impact on the travel time. With most professional Chicago moving companies, there is a set rate for transport to and from their facility and your place of residence. You might be able to save money if the moving company is in proximity to both of your sites. During the journey from your old house to your new home, your movers are on the clock. So, if it’s a long journey or there’s a lot of traffic, you’ll have to pay their hourly fee en route.

Moving Season

Many individuals prefer to relocate during the warmer months, especially in places like Chicago where the winters are severe and snowy. However, have you realized that the time of your relocation might affect the cost? The slower moving season from November through February has lower hourly moving rates, whereas the peak season from May through July has higher rates than the rest of the months or seasons.

So, time your move correctly to save big.

Here is more Detailed: HOW TO MOVE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

Insurance

A Chicago moving company takes all measures to ensure your belongings are professionally packed. However, there is a possibility of damage during transport. By law, the professional moving company is legally required to protect your belongings and compensate for any damages caused. Items that are extremely valuable and expensive entail a higher declared valuation which translates to a more expensive insurance. To conclude, while hiring professional movers may seem like an expense, it actually saves you money in the long run. In order to avoid any surprises on moving day, you may ask for a moving expert to come over your house and provide a visual estimate for your move

What ways to take care of your movers?

Find some quick tips here! Shifting your place?

Well, who can deny that movers can be of great help while loading and unloading stuff when you shift home or office? Believe the fact that their task is not easy. It’s not just the physical aspect of shifting huge things but the mental alertness of managing everything without causing any damage to the goods. It demands a certain sort of appreciation and there are few little things which you can do to care for them.

Tips to take care of the movers:

Keep them hydrated:

As the job of movers demand a lot of physical activity, they tend to get easily tired and sweat out. If not only looks good if you offer them beverages like soft drinks, water or soda but, also helps them deal with the work with ease. However, it is never a good idea to offer them alcoholic drinks.

Don’t hinder their job:

Even if you are the most caring person on the planet and want to help your movers but, after a certain extent you should not support them. Your help may become a hindrance in their quick to finish yet extremely careful job. Do not worry as they will take full care of your things as they are trained for that.

We have a great article here: How to Choose a Best Moving Company in 7 Steps

Tip is important:

You should offer them tip as it is a nice way to thank them. Keep some cash ready and you can either give to each mover or can hand it over to the foreman in the presence of his colleagues.

There are always a couple of things that movers would want their clients to know. Little yet important things that can help them finish their job quickly are as follows:

Pack things on time:

Well, it’s important to be ready with your side of packing when the movers arrive. We should value their time as they love it when things are already set so that they can start their job quickly. Otherwise, it will reduce their efficiency and that is not good for you.

Here is more Detailed: 11 Tips for Hiring a Quality Moving Company

Labeling things is important:

To keep things more organized and easy for the movers, you should label everything clearly. This helps them to load and unload the stuff in the truck. You just need to explain them the labeling system when they arrive.

Parking area should be ready:

The one thing they would not appreciate is when they have no parking space. As they need to do a lot of work with the truck so, they should get a good place for parking. On your part, you should keep a parking space ready and that too in a manner that makes their loading and unloading task easy.

Furniture should be empty:

It would be very difficult to carry tables and wardrobes with full drawers. There are chances of things getting scattered while moving your stuff. So, empty your furniture before the arrival of the movers.

Facilitate them:

You should be around while they are keeping your stuff in the truck. If they have any doubts or questions then your presence will be helpful. So, be there while your movers arrive until they finish their job.

This way, a moving day can be made easy going by the above mentioned tips. Hope you find them useful. All the Best!

How to label your moving boxes like a pro

Want to learn the labeling of moving boxes like a Pro? Here’s how!

Moving stuff from your place can be a chaotic task. Things may get disorganized leading to confusion and frustration. To avoid this, you can use an easy labeling system. This will make things easy going without causing too much stress.
A smart labeling system would not only help in packing things but would also make unpacking everything a quick and easy task. It is of great help if you start labeling along with packing. Do it while you are still packing so that you do not forget to label any box.

Tips to easily label your moving boxes:

Get the tools and mind ready:

An alert mind is important along with the different markers and highlighters. You need markers of different colors so as to manage things easily and even use color code for things belonging to a particular room. This helps movers to easily unload things and keep the moving boxes in their specific rooms.

Get good quality markers:

It may cost a little bit higher but you must get at least five different colors of markers. And that too of good quality! Permanent waterproof markers would be the best solution.

Colored tape would add to the ease:

Apart from colorful markers, you should also get colored tapes that match the markers. It is fine if you want to use colorless tape for most of the boxes but a single roll of each color would facilitate the labeling process in a big way. Use the tape and mark the name and area where the boxes should reach.

Color code:

Now that you have colored tape and markers ready, just set a color code for each room. Like you can use blue for bathroom, green for the kitchen, yellow for the living area, pink for the baby girl’s room and so on. Use your creativity and remember the color for each room.

Once this is done, use the particular marker to label stuff of the rooms. Like green labels would be on every box belonging to the kitchen. Write the name of the room on each box and stick the list of items in the box in small print.

Now, use the colored tape on each box. Even a single strip on the side of the box will also do the job of identification easy. You can easily recognize the kitchen box from a lot of boxes and same holds true for the boxes belonging to different rooms.

Inform the movers about the labeling system:

To facilitate the movers, just keep a sheet of printed paper ready with color names and their meanings. If they are not aware of your system then they cannot put the things at the right place. The sheet would help them load and unload things with a lot of ease.

With the labeling system, there is no chance of guesswork or misplacement of things. It will help you to spot an out of the place box and movers can easily shift it to the desired destination. In case, you are reusing old boxes then it is very important that you cross out previous labels and descriptions if any. This will reduce any chances of confusion.

That’s it! Now, you know how professionals use the labeling system and use it for packing and moving your space. Hope that this small yet important piece of information helps you in moving your place without any hassles.

Call or email King David Moving & Storage today, and let us give you Free Moving Estimate for smoothest and most pleasant packing services and label your moving boxes

Cart

Category: Movers