You are moving! You have successfully researched cities, neighborhoods, and schools; you have navigated through the real estate market, interviewed 5 brokers, selected the one you liked best, found the home of your dreams, and poured your life savings into the down payment. Now you have hired a carpenter to build out your closet, a glazier to put in new windows, and a painter to change that neon yellow kitchen into a pleasant shade of blue.
Whew! I am exhausted already. Oh wait!! You still need to hire a mover. But do you have the money? Maybe you can just hire someone off of Craig’s List. You like their company name – 3 Poor College Students Just Trying to Get By. Or maybe you should look online? There are 10 sites to choose from – all promising you competitive quotes. But you don’t want to be THAT consumer telling horror stories of a moving company holding your goods hostage unless you pay 3 times the amount you were quoted. Over the Phone. Sight unseen.
What’s a customer to do?
1. Don’t hire an unlicensed mover. The Moving Industry in the State of California is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. In order to obtain a license, a moving company owner must go through a rigorous background check, be extensively tested on the laws regulating the industry, complete quarterly and annual reports, along with maintaining millions of dollars of insurance coverage on their trucks, their employees, and their crew.
2. Check with the Better Business Bureau or Yelp. .Does the company have a good rating or do they have an excessive number of complaints? Are the complaints reasonable? Were they resolved?
3. Ask for references. The company should be able to provide you letters of commendation and a short list of customers who they have recently moved.
4. Ask your friends, family, co workers, and real estate agent. They will have a quick list of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
5. Call the California Moving & Storage Association or check out their website. They are a reliable and professional organization which represents 450 mover members in the State of California. Mover members strive to provide honest, efficient, and quality services to the California household goods moving consumer.
6. Call at least 4 moving companies and schedule at least 2 in home written estimates. Make sure the company is providing you a NOT TO EXCEED bid, which includes all related packing materials, labor, valuation coverage of your choosing, and storage if applicable.
7. Go with your gut. Do you trust the mover? Do their references check out? Are they licensed and insured?
8. Once you hire your moving company, make sure you are on the same page in terms of expectations. Does your estimate include packing or are they expecting you be packed and ready to go? What does that mean to them? Can you leave your dressers full or do they need to be emptied? Will they be providing wardrobe boxes on your move? Can the truck park directly in front of your home? Is there any issue with access? Does parking need to be reserved? Will the moving company disassemble and reassemble your furniture or do they expect you to do that? What should you do with your electronics? What forms of payment do they accept? When do they get paid?
With a little investment of your time doing your research, you can save yourself a world of headache and unnecessary expense. Good luck with your move and enjoy your new home!
Cummings Moving Company | Residential & Small Business Moving & Storage | San Francisco Movers
Cummings Moving Company is a family owned and operated moving & storage company proud of its well-established reputation in San Francisco and throughout the region – reflected in their extended residential, small business and Realtor referrals. The company is a female, minority, and veteran-owned and operated moving company with over 45 years of exceptional client service – spanning the entire country and beyond. For more information about quality, stress-free moving, in San Francisco please call 415-387-4000 or from the Peninsula call 650-629-3000. Request a Free Moving Quote HERE or continue to explore our website and San Francisco Blog.
The advice on our website and blog is provided as a courtesy and is intended for informational purposes only. It is offered as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. We hope it provides you with helpful information that you can use.
