Moving internationally is a big transition and a complicated process that requires a lot of planning and organizing. That’s why hiring a good international moving company is so important. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and a little lost, we’re here to help you with our best tips for hiring movers.
How Do You Find Someone to Help You Move?
Moving abroad is truly a challenging process and requires a lot of help. No one could pull off a project this big on their own. So, where do you find someone to help you out? If you’re relocating to a different house on the same street, you might be able to do it on your own if you call a few friends.
But if you were planning on something a bit more complicated, like moving overseas, you will definitely have to add hiring an overseas moving company to your to-do list. Don’t kid yourself into thinking you could do it on your own – shipping overseas is out of your area of expertise, so do yourself a favor and hire an overseas shipping company to take care of everything. Here are a few ideas on how to search for relocation companies.
Ask Your Friends and Family for Recommendations
The best option out there is to ask people close to you for referrals. Turn to your friends, family, coworkers, or anyone that could give you some advice. Word of mouth is an excellent source of information, but keep in mind that just because someone had a negative experience does not mean you will as well. So try to keep an open mind and be objective when hearing what people have to say.
Search Online Until You Find the Right One
If no one in your surroundings has moved in a while, then recommendations aren’t the way to go. The next best thing is to search online, but you have to stay smart about it. Don’t hire the first one that pops up in your search. The general rule to follow is to check out at least three companies before making your decision. The more, the merrier. Be sure to thoroughly look through reviews and comments on their websites. Having a low rating can be a red flag and a sign you should move on to the next one.
How Do I Hire a Reliable Moving Company?
How to hire a moving company is the first question that pops up when planning a move. After finding the top three that peaked your interest, it’s time to do a background check on the companies and figure out which one is the best option. Here are a few relocation tips you should keep in mind in order to choose a reliable relocation company.
The very first step you should take before you do any further research is to check if they are licensed. Every reliable company should have a license and be registered. A simple way to verify that information is to go to Better Business Bureau (BBB) and check their credentials. If they’re registered, their name will be on the list. Along with their credentials, on this website, you can check out any complaints filed against the company.
Reputable companies always offer free estimates. Whether they do it in person and have an estimator come to your home or they do a virtual tour of the house, they will never start doing business with you before finding out what you own. Reputable companies will have their estimator do a thorough inventory and ask you questions like what you want to keep or if you are transferring any large items.
The biggest red flag you should be aware of is if they keep changing their name, the estimated price, or delivery dates. The most important benefit of hiring professional services is that they will offer you certainty and security of an efficient move and no additional relocation stress. So run if they constantly change any essential parts of the contract, that’s a sure way to run into relocation scams. The reason why companies keep changing their name is that that way, they can avoid assessments by the BBB.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that it’s not normal for them to keep upping their price. Of course, there will be some unforeseen costs and additional charges based on what service you get, what you’re relocating, or extra costs for specialty items or complications like transferring stuff onto the fifth floor with no elevator, and so on. Still, those additional charges should be set upfront, and the final price of the move shouldn’t be extremely higher than the average price you’ve set beforehand.
Always check the payment policy in advance. If they ask for a large cash deposit or they only accept cash payments and not credit cards, take your business elsewhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s a last-minute move – reputable movers will only accept the payment when the job is done. If you pay upfront, there is no guarantee that you will ever see your belongings again. So the safest way is to pay by credit card once your stuff has been moved to your new home.
Feel Free to Ask Your Mover Any Questions You Might Have
By hiring a mover, you gain not only professional help but a consultant for the move as well. So feel free to ask your movers anything that might be bothering you. As with anything in life, communication is key. If the movers won’t give you their time of day to answer any questions you may have, move on to other options. Here are a few questions we would advise you to ask:
- What is their cancellation policy?
- What are the specialty items they charge additional fees for?
- Are there any items movers won’t move?
- How do you contact them on a moving day?
- Do their services cover shipping a car overseas?
- Do they offer storage units, and how much do they cost?
- What is the maximum amount of days you can leave your things in their storage?
Set Up an Insurance Plan With Your Movers
One of the most common relocation mistakes people make is not getting a moving insurance plan. People get overly confident, thinking they won’t need it and that nothing will go wrong. But mistakes happen even to the best of us. Things break, get damaged, or lost. It’s normal, and while it doesn’t happen very often, it’s important for you to get insurance and have your belongings protected. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
You should talk to your movers and set a protection plan. There are many varieties and options to choose from, so have them explain everything to you and pick out a plan that best suits your needs and your budget since this kind of insurance comes at an additional fee. If you decide against getting a protection plan, companies take liability for only 60 cents per pound of an item that has been damaged or lost. This is a standard protection plan that you do not pay for, but it offers minimal protection.
How Much Does Hiring Movers and Their Services Cost?
Hiring professional movers can get a bit pricey. The price varies depending on where you’re going, whether you are planning to move overseas or simply to another neighborhood. Relocating abroad is always more expensive, and the price for the move can range anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to $30,000 or more if you get any service added, like overseas vehicle shipping or storage units. Here are a few ways you can cut down on costs that don’t include not tipping the movers.
How Much Does Packing Everything Cost?
The cost of packing gets higher with every added bedroom, and that can get expensive. According to statistics, packing a one-bedroom home costs roughly about $300-$500. A three-bedroom home could run you up to $3,000. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s a hassle-free way of packing. But if you’re looking for ways to save money, you could pack on your own.
If you decide to pack everything all on your own, all that you will be needing are packing supplies. A great relocation hack you should not sleep out on is that you don’t have to pay for new boxes – use old ones. Free boxes are really easy to find, you just need to plan a little bit ahead. Ask your neighbors, friends, and family, or get them from your workplace if you can. You can even find free boxes online. All that’s left is to learn how to pack, and if that’s an area you struggle with, watch this video.
Moves Are Always Cheaper In Winter
A great way to cut corners when relocating is to learn that there is such a thing as the cheapest time of year to move. Relocating in the summer is always more expensive than during the winter. Another great tip is to avoid relocating during the weekend or on holidays since it will drive the price up. In conclusion, if you want the lowest possible price, move on a weekday during winter.
Have Your Employer Pay for Relocation Costs
If one of the reasons for your move is that you’re relocating for a new job, your employer should cover your relocation expenses or at least part of them. It’s one of the relocation questions you should ask your employer if they don’t offer you a relocation package themselves. It’s perfectly normal to even haggle a bit over the amount of the package, so don’t be shy when talking to your employer.
Be Your Own Mover – Do It Yourself and Rent a Moving Truck
The biggest expense when it comes to any move is definitely the cost of relocation services. Paying thousands of dollars for relocating your belongings is a big hit to your savings. So if you want to cut corners and save some money, or you simply can’t afford to hire professionals – try to move by yourself. All that you will need to succeed is a truck and a valid driver’s license. A DIY move is never easy. It’s very labor-intensive and takes up a lot of time and energy. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you can manage to pull it off, all that you will be paying for are the expense of the truck rental fee and the fuel.
Prepare for Movers and Enjoy Your Move
Once you hire the right relocation company, a giant weight will be lifted off your chest. You won’t have to worry about anything having to do with the move anymore, and you won’t be stressed out. All that’s left to do is to prepare for movers, throw a farewell party to say goodbye to your closest friends and family, and look forward to your move.
