Planning a local move has its own unique stresses, but hiring a professional moving company to move your possessions from origin to destination can save you a great deal of time and anxiety. By all means, when trying to find a local moving company, you want to be positive you get the best value you can possibly get. As you look for and acquire quotes from promising moving companies in Austin, here are some critical questions to ask that will assist you to make your decision.
1. Is Your Quote Binding?
Ideally, you'll want to find a professional moving company that conducts an in-home quote to provide you the most exact estimate possible. Going with a company that provides a binding or "not-to-exceed" price may also give you peace of mind in your decision.
2. Will My Items Stay in the Same Truck in Austin?
Some movers may transfer your things onto another truck during the hauling process, which should be averted if you can. Transloading your things means loading and unloading them more than once, which definitely increases the chance of damage or loss. Except for when storage is required, finding a local mover that will keep your belongings on the same truck for a local move from origin to destination will lessen that risk.
3. How Much Valuation Coverage is Included?
Most companies cover some basic type of liability valuation as part of their estimate, which most likely covers an amount based on the weight of the item that is damaged (for example, $0.60 per pound). But, this coverage may be lacking for items that do not weigh much, but are exensive to replace. Full coverage options should be discussed at the time of your in-home estimate and can be purchased from the professional moving company for added peace of mind and protection.
4. What Services or Materials May Cost Extra?
Be sure to question exactly what is comprised in your quote, and ask what are some other services or materials that would result in additional charges. For instance, if you would like your antique furniture to be pad wrapped or to have protective padding put over your carpet while moving larger items, you may face additional material and labor costs from some companies, so it is a good idea to ask about these costs beforehand so there are not any surprises later on.
5. Is There Anything You Will Not Move?
Most moving companies will provide you a comprehensive list of items that their movers can’t handle for liability or other reasons. Some examples of things you may need to transport yourself (or make other provisions for) include:
At A-1 Freeman Moving Group, we take great pride in the comprehensive moving estimates we're able to give to our customers, all of which include a free in-home consultation. And unlike many other movers, we are also able to provide expert tear-down, moving and assembly of items such as play sets, grandfather clocks, appliances, pianos and much more.
With more than forty years of service to Austin and the surrounding areas, A-1 Freeman Moving is devoted to making your approaching local move as smooth 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 what we can do for you or to get started with an estimate for a local move, contact us today. We look forward to serving you!
