Three "Preventative Measures" That Will Ward Off Disaster During A Move
Moving is never fun, but it does not have to be a stressful disaster, either. If you want to prevent stressful issues and calamities during your moving experience, the key is to take preventative measures before you begin moving and during the early stages of your moving process. Here's a look at three preventative measures that will simplify and fool-proof your move later on.
Get written estimates.
When your moving company hands you the bill at the end of the move, you don't want to have sticker shock. Yet, many people end up paying more than they can really afford or more than they want to for a move because they fail to get up-front estimates. A few weeks before you need to move, arrange to get estimates from several moving companies in the area. Get these estimates in writing, and if possible, see if you can get a binding estimate. A binding estimate is a guarantee that the company will charge you only the estimated amount – no more – for their services.
Getting accurate estimates will take a bit of time on your part, since you'll need to be precise in telling the movers exactly what you need to be moved and where it needs to be moved to. However, you'll avoid being overcharged or having to empty your bank account by taking the time to prepare in this way.
Talk to your insurance company.
When someone drops your fine china and it smashes on the hardwood floor, it can be quite the calamity. However, it will be far less stressful if you know that item is covered by insurance. So, before you move, call your homeowner's insurance company and get a clear idea of what your policy covers. Ask whether items will be covered if they're damaged in transit, during packing at your old home, and during unpacking at the new home. If you have specific, valuable items, like high-end dinnerware or jewelry, specifically ask if these items are covered – and purchase additional coverage for them if needed.
You should also talk to a moving company (such as Christos & Christos Moving and Storage), if you hire one, to get a clear idea of what their insurance does and does not cover. Do not pack a thing until you're sure everything is covered either by your homeowner's insurance or the moving company's insurance.
Measure your furniture and the entryways at your new residence.
You don't want to pay to move your credenza across the state only to find it won't fit in the doorway. Then what do you do with it? Before your move, measure all of your larger furniture. Then, also measure the entryways at your new place. If you find any furniture that won't fit through the entryway, you at least have time to find a friend or family member who wants it and to find replacement furniture that will fit into your new place.
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