Last August, we brought you some Do’s and Don’ts for a move. Some bear repeating and others are new suggestions for when you are considering a local, intrastate, or interstate move. Understanding what to expect, and your role and responsibilities as well as those of the mover, can make the process run more smoothly.
DO the hard work of sorting through your goods and dispose/donate anything you no longer want. Thinking “I’ll just sort it when I get there” means that you’ll pay extra in both time and money. Interstate moves are based in part on weight, so you don’t want to pack unnecessary items you don’t need. For local moves, you’ll pay an hourly rate for the time it takes to haul the unnecessary items.
DON’T accept a rough estimate over the phone as good enough. In Oregon, ODOT regulations require that an in-home consultation, or virtual consultation, take place before a mover provides an estimate. That way, there are few surprises when it comes to the final costs.
DO get a written, signed estimate for your move. This is a requirement from the Oregon Department of Transportation, which regulates the moving industry in Oregon.
DON’T pay a deposit up front for a mover. If you find a mover on the internet who requires a deposit up front, chances are you’ve contacted a broker. Brokers, while legitimately licensed with the state of Oregon, will find a mover for you but require a deposit for your move. Licensed movers require payment at the end of the move (before your items are unloaded off the truck), but do NOT require an upfront deposit. It’s best to go directly to an ODOT licensed moving company.
DO know what the mover’s liability is should damage occur. Licensed movers in the state of Oregon are required to provide you information about what they are liable for, as well as your responsibilities, and you can purchase additional protection (often called “Replacement Cost Protection” coverage) from them.
DON’T just sign a contract without reading the fine print. It’s important to understand what can create more expense in a typical move. If you’re moving interstate or over 50 miles in-state, things like elevator carries, long walks to the truck, and the use of a shuttle truck due to non-accessibility on the street can all add to the cost of your move. Make sure the moving company’s sales person explains these expenses (also known as “Accessorials”) to you.
DO use a licensed, insured and bonded mover. While it is tempting to go with a non-licensed mover who might cost less, you may run into difficulty should your items get damaged during the move.
DON’T necessarily go it alone. Move Management companies, like The Move Makers can manage your move from start to finish, including packing and unpacking, taking the burden and the stress out of move day and saving you time and a lot of effort.