RESIDENTIAL LONG DISTANCE RELOCATION FAQ: 

 

How important is an in-home estimate?
 

It actually depends on a number of factors:

 

1. How long have you been in your home?

 

2. Are there more than two adults moving?

 

3. Is this your first time moving to a new state or long distance/cross country? Or first time in over 5 years?

 

4. Is your house larger than 2500 square feet?

 

5. Do you have a workshop or shed with storage, or a storage unit that is being moved as well?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I would always recommend some type of visual confirmation via pictures or video call, so there aren't any surprises for the movers or for you on moving day! This goes doubly for storage units as they MUST be assessed based on fullness of the unit so visual confirmation is extremely important. A picture from the front of the unit looking all the way back is perfect w/ dimensions.
That being said, in my professional opinion as long as you are willing to take the time and compile a list of the furniture you are going to take; an 'in home' isn't necessary - In the traditional sense that is. We do virtual estimates as well, which is where we can FaceTime/Skype with the customer or look at pictures of their house listed online – this is how we double check for accuracy using our AI tool.

 

People think that an in home transfers the responsibility on the accuracy of the estimate to the mover of an in home estimated job. That is not the case. Regardless of an over the phone or an in home estimate, the movers have the same level of "binding" attachment to the price and the estimate. I commonly use this analogy when speaking to customers I ask, "if you buy a bedroom set after the in home estimator leaves, the movers are still going to charge you for the extra weight/space of it when they come on move day" However, here at Express Moving Consultants, your dedicated representative can adjust your inventory anytime up to 48 hours before your first pick up date, at the same rate originally booked per item including taxes and fees, and avoid having the movers not take an item or items due to space issues on the route.

 

How much should I tip my movers?
In my experience (and this also depends on the size of your move) tip the foreman $50 per day of work, and the helpers each $30 per day of work. I would also encourage you to have food and drinks for them to start and finish everything with enough energy.
What does a “full professional packing service” include?
For professional packing it entails movers coming into your home, taking the items out of the cabinets and closets, and packing them on your behalf. This also includes but is not limited to : mattress covers, stretch wrapping of fabric furniture, and protecting any and all glass front cabinets such as curios, tv, and China cabinets. Clothing is packed either in wardrobes or folded in med/lg boxes.

 

How do I get boxes for packing?
You can purchase them at U-haul, Home Depot, Lowe's or you can even order them online now. We can assist you if you need help!

Is there a difference between climate-controlled and air conditioned storage?
Yes and that main difference is one word: HUMIDITY. Climate controlled storage will always provide both air conditioning/controlling of Climate of the items stored as well as humidity. Air Conditioned storage units will not.

 

How far in advance should I book my mover?
With most movers, in order to get the best rates possible, try calling 90-120 days in advance. Most people want to wait until they have their closing dates lined up and everything is finalized. From the standpoint of someone who has been apart of every stage of a moving company; you will end up paying more for no reason when you wait for every date to be lined perfectly. Either that, or you will scramble for movers last minute. Regardless of your situation, now is the best time to start planning. When you find a mover you feel comfortable with that has a price within your budget, that is the time to book your move. Lots of companies give you a year to confirm your actual move date with just a small deposit to reserve your pricing. That way you have the negotiations as well as a binding price set for the largest variable in your moving budget.
How long does a cross country delivery take?
Great question. A cross country delivery of a 2-3 bedroom apartment/house from Florida to California should take approximately 14 to 18 calendar days. The department of transportation gives moving companies up to 21 business days from the “First Available Delivery Date” Your moving consultant will put this in the notes for your driver but you will be asked to confirm it at pick up in writing as well. If you want delivery ASAP then say that you are available for delivery the very next day after pick-up. This is when your delivery spread starts. Make sure you get all of these things in writing from your moving consultant. The main way to make sure that your delivery goes smoothly is to communicate with your consultant, dispatch, and the driver/foreman in a consistent manner so we're all on the same page as you!
Will I save money by disassembling my furniture and re-assembling it upon delivery?
Typically this is something that is already included with your estimate so it probably won't save you money unless it's a specialty item like a large piece of art work, piano, or grandfather clock. The reason why disassembly and re-assembly of standard furniture is included is for safe transport - once the movers have possession of your items, they are liable (up to a certain amount). So they want to make sure that everything arrives in the same condition it was picked up or they might not have a job anymore.

 

Should I pay a reservation deposit to my brokerage or mover?
Sure. From my research, a deposit has never distinguished between a reputable or scam company. There have been reputable companies that require deposits and movers that I would consider scammers that do not. Sometimes moving companies are going to be traveling a far distance between the point where their truck is going to be in with your pick up location is, so the deposit is used toward expenses as opposed to fronting the cost of the job on your behalf.

 

Regardless of the reason for the deposit, do not shy away from a moving company simply because the deposit is required, nowadays it is actually quite common. Another big misconception is that all movers who require a deposit are 'brokers' not actual moving companies, a brokerage IS a moving company making this is absolutely not true. Moving companies often request a deposit in order to ensure the fact that when the truck and crew arrives at your home you will be present and ready, not arriving to an empty home that was moved days before by someone else.

 

By industry standards, any deposit is not supposed to be more than 30% of the total move cost estimated, this includes in the instance of an increase of cost of requested services, a moving company cannot up charge you thousands of dollars for having changes to your services, this is a boiler room tactic and is fraud. For more info ,click to see this page on our site "What is a Moving Consultant?"

 

What is a POD?
A pod is a term coined by a company meaning personal on demand storage, we however like to call it POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE. It is a metal container (Large dumpster) dropped off in front of a home or business left there for a predetermined rental period in which you can load at your own pace. They are handled on to trucks with forklifts/cranes and offer only a maximum of $.10 per pound liability coverage (Freight, not household goods as they are "containers") as opposed to $.60 per pound offered by moving companies. They are not climate controlled or guaranteed to be stored at a facility 24/7 that is and they are not totally sealed either, so if there is any sort of weather your items could get damaged inside. I hear a lot of negative reviews about delivery time frames, as well as hidden charges or underestimated spacial needs for the items the customer has, requiring ANOTHER pod, that are not discussed upfront.
What is a shuttle truck?
A smaller box truck provided by the moving company to transport the belongings from the large 18 wheeler tractor trailer to your home since the tractor trailer cannot access the home within a reasonable distance - This is determined before the move is booked and is free for pick up and delivery shuttle can vary based on the rental required.

 

Do I need to be at pick-up and delivery of my move?
I always suggest yes. This way can verify the fact that the movers are doing a good job on both pick up and delivery, all the items are being packed and wrapped satisfactorily, as well as the possibility of any additional increase in costs for special packing of items like T.V.'s, large mirrors or paintings, etc.

 

Are cubic footage estimates more accurate than weight?
Cubic footage estimates aren't only accurate, they're the only estimate I would ever recommend. Weight estimates are based on the cubic foot total times 6.5-7 pounds per a cubic foot - So a 3 person Sofa is estimated at 350lbs (50 cubic feet times 7) and there is "NO WEIGH LESS PAY LESS" you'll hear from your representative before booking, typically boiler rooms provide these estimates.

 

Can movers make an extra stop for me at either pick-up or delivery?
Yes, most movers will include a stop at pick-up to 20 miles for no charge. On the delivery end it depends on the distance from your final destination and what exactly is being dropped off.
Can you move boxes with no lids?
No. All boxes and belongings should be totally packed and secure as well as plastic containers and absolutely NO TRASH BAGS OR 'CONTRACTOR BAGS' - We aren't sending out a dump truck to pick you up!