Moving across the country means making many decisions, and none can have more of an impact than choosing the right long-distance moving company. But with so many cross-country movers out there, how can you be sure you’re getting the right company for your family?
We’ve put together a list of the best cross-country mover questions to ask potential long-distance moving companies. Keep reading to find out what you should ask to protect yourself against unsafe moving practices, unexpected charges, or companies without the experience and expertise to handle your belongings.
When you ask the right questions before you sign the dotted line or put down a deposit, you can help keep your belongings and your family safe during the move. While you can find most answers to these questions on moving company websites and online reviews, the best way to get the information you need is with a quick phone call.
Do they have experience with my specific type of move?
A long-distance moving company experienced with the specifics of your move can mean more than just delivering your belongings to a new address. Because they’ve done this type of move countless times before, they can provide valuable insight and advice to help you avoid common pitfalls you might have overlooked.
What makes your move unique:
- Are you moving out of an apartment building without access to a service elevator or on-street parking?
- Are you moving from a small town with a few thousand residents to a city bursting with a few million–and the additional challenges it carries?
- Are you moving large or uncommon items, like a grandfather clock or piano?
- Does your new home have narrow doorways or steep stairways?
- Are there a date or time restrictions affecting when you can move in–or out–of your building?
Think about the specifics of your particular move and discuss them with any potential long-distance moving companies you are considering. The right moving company will easily handle anything that comes their way without compromising the quality of the service they deliver.
What kind of liability coverage does your company provide?
Perhaps one of the most critical cross-country mover questions to ask centers around liability insurance.
Liability insurance protects you against costs associated with property damage that results from moving your belongings cross-country. If something goes missing during the move or gets damaged, you won’t be out-of-pocket for the entire replacement or repair cost.
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires all moving companies to offer no-charge basic liability coverage that offers reimbursement for your belongings.
Most moving companies offer Released Value Protection (RVP) liability coverage as a no-charge option. With RVP, you can expect to receive compensation at a rate of $0.30 per pound if you’re moving across state lines and $0.60 per pound moves within your state. Think of it this way: Your favorite 75-pound chair gets lost or damaged during the move. If you moved across state lines, you would receive $22.50 in compensation (75 pounds x $0.30). If you moved within your state, you would receive $45 (75 pounds x $0.60).
Full-Value Protection (VFP) offers the current market value of your belongings as compensation. With VFP, compensation is based on your favorite chair’s value, not its weight, and compensation would typically cover the purchase of a replacement chair of equal value. Full-value protection is usually available for an additional fee, but every company may not offer it. That’s why it’s so important to discuss liability insurance before you choose which long-distance moving company you want to move your belongings to.
Is this a binding or non-binding estimate?
Most moving companies will provide potential customers with an estimate of how much the move will cost. These estimates can be either “binding” or “non-binding,” and knowing which one your moving company offers is one of the cross-country mover questions you should always ask.
Binding estimates are those that guarantee your move’s total cost. Binding estimates typically have limits on how much your final moving cost can exceed the company’s estimate. Some binding estimates guarantee the quoted amount will be the final amount billed, with no additional costs.
Non-binding estimates are essentially best guesses and can increase once your move’s final total weight has been calculated. Non-binding estimates do not always include additional, hidden charges that you may be expected to cover.
When you partner with a leading, experienced long-distance moving company that offers binding estimates, like Eden’s Moving Services, you can protect yourself against facing a bill that is unexpectedly larger than you anticipated.
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Do you offer packing services?
Some long-distance moving companies will pack and unpack all your belongings allowing you to focus your time and energy on other aspects of the move.
Because these services can vary widely from company to company, it’s essential to clarify the details ahead of time.
Who will do the loading and unloading?
Once your belongings are packed, it’s important to know who will load and unload them in and out of the moving truck. This is especially important if you are moving fragile, oddly shaped, or heavy household items or business equipment.
At Eden’s Moving Services, our crew of experienced, professional packers and truck loaders ensures your belongings get from their current location to your new residence securely and efficiently. And we provide the right moving and packing supplies to fully protect your belongings throughout all stages of the moving process.
Check with your long-distance moving company to see if they offer a combined packing, loading, and unloading service — sometimes called White Glove Service — to help make your move as stress-free as possible.
Eden’s is happy to answer any questions or concerns about your cross-country move.
Moving cross-country is always challenging, but you can avoid much of the stress associated with a big move by partnering with a professional, respected Colorado long-distance moving company. Whether it’s answering questions, helping you finalize your schedule, or providing a no-cost binding moving estimate, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with one of our cross-country moving specialists today. We’re ready to do all the heavy lifting so you can focus on enjoying your new adventure.
