Complete Moving Process Guide – Relocation Process Made Easy

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An Overview of the Moving Process from Start to Finish

Moving is a very complicated process, and it can be pretty stressful. Fortunately, Movers.com is here to help you every step of the way. By opening up this guide, you've already taken the first step toward a successful move. That's because Movers.com puts you directly in touch with the best professional movers in the country. So, if you want to experience an easy move from start to finish, keep reading.

Choosing a Mover

The first step in undergoing a move with Movers.com is to fill out the free moving quotes form. You'll be prompted to fill out the form with the following information:
  • The type of moving service required (e.g., local, long distance, international, storage, auto transport, etc.)
  • Your current city
  • Your destination city
  • Date you wish to move
  • Your contact information
  • The size of the move (i.e., number of bedrooms of your current home)
Once you've provided this information, you'll be contacted by up to seven different moving companies. Based on the information you provide, they'll give you free estimates for the cost of your move. These free quotes come with no strings attached; you don't have to commit to any particular moving company.

It is a good idea to make a list of all the companies that contact you, along with their estimated prices. This will make it easier to compare all of the companies and choose the one offering you the best deal. While pricing is important, it shouldn't be the only factor in how you decide which company to go with. That's why Movers.com also has a section on its site for moving company profile pages. Just look up the companies on your list to get more information and see what previous customers had to say.

After considering the pricing and reputation of the companies on your list, it is a good idea to narrow the choices down to the top three. Then, you can call those three companies to discuss your move in more detail. You can also request that they perform an in-home estimate of your goods. (And don't forget to ask which types of estimates they provide.) During this important step of the moving process, the moving companies can give you a more accurate idea of the pricing, since they'll actually be in your home to evaluate your goods.
Photo by lockstockb, sxc.hu

As the moving company representative is evaluating your home, be sure to point out any items that won't be going with you on the move. For instance, you may have an old couch that you want to get rid of. Unless you let the moving company know, this will be included in the estimate. You can also use this time to ask the mover any questions you may have about their policies and procedures.

Once your top three moving companies have performed the in-home evaluation, you can choose the one that you like best.

TIP: Check out this handy worksheet, which you can fill out for each moving company you consider. Doing so will help you record each company's estimates, give you ideas for questions to ask them, and let you keep track of what each company offers.

Preparing for the Move

Now that you have settled on a moving company, one of the hardest parts of the move is over. Your new moving company will now help you throughout the process. They'll work with you to select the best day to start the move and take care of other details. For instance, they'll put together the bill of lading, which includes a list of all of the items to be moved. This document also serves as the basic contract between you and the moving company.


Photo by slafko, sxc.hu
After all the arrangements are made, you can get to work on preparing for the move. This involves packing, making travel arrangements, and letting others know about your upcoming move and giving them your new address. And if you'd like some great ideas for packing, check out our exclusive packing guides and videos!

As you pack everything up, it's a good idea to create your own inventory list. Simply write down each item along with its condition and approximate value, or take pictures of large and expensive items. This way, you'll know later on if any goods have been damaged during the move.

TIP: It is a good idea to pack a separate box containing the things you'll need upon moving in. This box can include such items as snacks, toiletries, changes of clothes, or anything else you think of.

Moving Day

Before you know it, it will be moving day. Although the movers will take care of most of the work, there are still some things you can do to ensure the move goes smoothly. For instance, you can place your boxes near the front door, which will make it easier for the movers to collect them and load them onto the truck. As you do this, you can double-check the boxes to make sure that they are properly labeled with their contents and destinations. Although the movers will do all of the loading, you'll still want to be within an arm's reach as they go about their job. This way, you will be available if they have any questions as they handle your goods.

Once every last item is onboard the truck, the movers will take your goods to their destination, whether that be your new home, a storage facility, or a combination of the two. It is important that you arrive at the destination before your movers do. If they get there first, you may be charged for the time they spend waiting.

You'll want to be on hand when the movers go about unloading your goods. This way, you can let the movers know where to put everything, such as your large furniture pieces. Since most moving companies will only arrange the furniture once (and they may charge for additional rearrangements), it is good to know beforehand how you want the furniture set up.

TIP: Drawing a layout of your home that clearly shows where each piece of furniture should go can make the process a lot easier. Your movers will know where to put everything, and you won't have to worry about getting charged extra!

After the Move

Even though all of your goods are now inside, you shouldn't relax just yet. You now have to go through your belongings and inspect them for damage. If something looks like it was damaged, compare it to your inventory list to see if, in fact, it was. Any damages should be reported to the moving company as soon as possible. The longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it will be to receive any compensation for your damaged goods.

Photo by saavem, sxc.hu

Assuming everything went well, you can sign the bill of lading. At this point, the movers will have finished their job. However, the move still isn't over. You'll have countless boxes whose contents need to be sorted through and put away. You can check out the rest of the Movers.com guides for advice on doing this and more.

These are just the basics of what a regular move will involve. Of course, each move is different, presenting its own individual challenges. But that's where Movers.com comes in. If you have any additional questions or concerns that aren't addressed here or in our moving guides, or videos, then you can ask us yourself. Just give us a call at 1-866-343-1243 or send us an e-mail at contactus@movers.com.
   
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