Guide to Making the Most of Moving Companies

Steps for finding the best professional movers to help with your relocation

By Michelle Cramer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ask questions to find the right moving company

There are several things you need to find out to make sure the moving services are legit. Find out what sort of pricing estimates it offers. You also need to know its experience in the industry, including years in business and references. Obtain information on how it may handle difficult situations, such as a lot of stairs or short deadlines.

I recommend: Moving.com offers more details on what questions to ask potential movers. Two Men and a Truck tells you how to make sure a moving company is reliable.

Verify that moving companies have the necessary licenses and insurance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all companies that transport loads on highways to register and obtain a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. Additionally, each state has its own laws and registration requirements, so make sure the moving company meets those as well before you hire it. It's also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints filed against the company. You're trusting it with your precious cargo, so you need to make sure the company will take care of it and not pull the wool over your eyes.

I recommend: Relocation.com provides a link to the FMCSA search for USDOT numbers and tells you what information to check for when you receive the search results. Search for the moving company at the Better Business Bureau.

Obtain a quote from multiple business movers

Before you make a final decision, be sure that you obtain a quote from all of your local moving companies. Only choose a company with prices are relatively similar to other quotes you've obtained. A company that offers substantially cheaper prices may be too good to be true.

I recommend: Obtain more tips on finding the right business moving company from MoversDirectory.com. To find movers in your area and obtain a quote, visit InfoMoving.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that you obtain your cost estimate from the moving company directly and not a third party agent. The law doesn't require movers to adhere to estimates that they don't directly supply.

Guide to Moving a Business

Streamline costs and stay organized with careful planning

By Mary Sit, corporate writing/articles/Web content/scripts, Mary Sit Communications

Here are three important things to know:

1. Before you move a home-based business to an office address, consider the options of hiring a professional organizer to de-clutter your office; move to a bigger room in your house; outsource some projects.
2. Do the math and compute the overhead expenses, knowing that basic, monthly costs will probably increase with your move.
3. Location, location, location is still the mantra for real estate, but businesses must also consider parking, visibility and the location of clients and vendors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

If you can afford it, hire a full-service business mover

These moving companies have experience moving office equipment, furniture, storing assets and managing records.

I recommend: Guardian Relocation does what it takes to ensure business clients maintain normal business hours and activities. Its services include asset management, individual office moves within same the location or to a new location, distribution, records management, and trade show exhibits. Suddath, in business 80 years, manages all aspects of business moves.

Get free moving quotes online

Go online to get free quotes from licensed movers in your area who meet insurance requirements and are able to serve your moving route.

I recommend: Moving.com lets you compare up to six quotes from movers who specialize in office moving. Selected moving companies will get back to you within two business days. Also check out Moving Explorer and Penske Truck Rentals with 1,500 locations nationwide.

Set your moving time line

Discover what you should be doing, three months, two months and one month ahead.

I recommend: Small Company Moving Guide, a helpful book on moving, also offers free timeline information online. Or check out OfficeSpace.com's Move Guide.

Save money by doing your own packing

If you're on a tight budget, consider packing the office yourself and loading the moving van. A van usually stays at your location five days on either end.

I recommend: Door to Door allows you to lock office supplies and equipment inside the truck in small, easily trackable containers.

Use the Web to help you track logistics of your move

A move has hundreds of details to consider. Ensure that your move is completed on time and on budget with these online tools.

I recommend: Move Planner is an online reminder that sends emails to keep you organized and alert you of tasks you need to do. iOfficeMove is a Web-based real estate and move planning tool for up to six authorized users.

Going overseas?

Be prepared by reading targeted country guides for businesses

I recommend: Go to International Relocation Center, an online relocation tool that contains information on 120 countries with Web links and in-country resources, including airports, mobile phones, security alerts, banking, finding a home, business style, eating out and local school systems.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask moving company references the right questions, including: Did they show up on time, meet deadlines, give on-site support, meet expectations and would you use them again?
• •  Form a team to help with the move, assigning employees with specialized knowledge specific tasks with firm deadlines.
• •  Back time your move. Many events depends on others (the furniture can't be moved until the new carpet is installed). Select vendors for phone and computers, for example, then choose space and sign a lease. Once you have a firm move-indate, it's a narrow window of time for vendors to do their work.

Guide to Moving Companies Basics

Consider the benefits of corporate moving services for your office relocation

By Michelle Cramer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Relieve stress with the help of full-service business movers

Full-service business and residential moving companies offer a number of services, so you can choose to have them do everything for you or only a portion of the move. For example, if your business is just too busy for you to worry about packing, full-service moving services will do the packing for you. They will also load the moving truck, drive it to your destination, unload the truck and put all furniture and boxes exactly where you want them. The only thing you would have to worry about would be unpacking the smaller things. Otherwise, the stress is minuscule.

I recommend: Find more information on the types of movers available on Movers Directory. Visit Mayflower for tips on how to pack your business to help ensure the safety of your belongings.

Save money by using a self-service moving company

If you just can't afford a full-service company but hate the idea of doing everything yourself, consider hiring a self-service moving company. Typically, these companies drop off a storage crate, much like a small steel building at your location. You pack and load the crate and, when you're ready, the moving company will pick it up and drop it off at your new location. These services are especially convenient if funds are tight but you have a long distance to drive and would rather have a skilled driver behind the wheel of that large truck.

I recommend: Visit 123movers.com for more information on self-service movers. Relocation.com offers additional information as well as tips for loading self-service moving trucks.

Protect your rights when dealing with moving companies

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has put in place a variety of regulations to protect consumers that use relocation companies. These regulations require movers to provide you with an estimate of their services. Additionally, you have the right to request a reweighing of your shipment contents to obtain estimates from multiple companies and require the movers to provide you with clear and complete contracts.

I recommend: Read the FMCSA laws and regulations for residential movers. MovingCompanies.us offers details on your rights and the mover’s responsibilities.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The FMCSA requires corporate moving services to maintain insurance in case your belongings suffer theft or damage while in the mover's possession. However, these policies don't cover every given scenario. Before making your final decision on a company, ask for specific information on their insurance coverage. Keep in mind that your homeowner's or business insurance policy may not cover the loss either, so you may want to consider supplemental insurance for the move.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Full-service moving

A full-service moving company is one that provides packing and shipping. This is a convenient option if you do not want to spend time collecting boxes and packing before the move.

I recommend: Movers offers information comparing a full-service moving company with a self-service moving company.

Self-service moving

Self-service moving companies provide the transportation for your belongings but do not participate in the packing, loading or, sometimes, in the driving of the truck.

I recommend: Match Movers offers information and tips on using a self-service moving company.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a regulatory agency that provides guidance for a variety of businesses, including moving companies. The FMCSA monitors drivers, vehicles and the companies.

I recommend: The FMSCA provides a list of all its rules and regulations for moving companies on its Web site.

Moving estimate, moving quote

A moving estimate, or moving quote, is an approximation of what a move will cost based on either the number of rooms being moved or an estimated weight of the property. Additional costs are based on distance and any additional services provided.

I recommend: Moving Estimates offers information on how moving companies determine the cost provided in a moving quote.

Mover's liability

Mover's liability is the amount of coverage a moving company assumes for the value of the possessions it moves. There are a number of different levels of liability a moving company can offer its customers.

I recommend: Moving offers a guide on the different types of mover's liability for loss or damage of property.

Moving insurance

Any individuals or businesses can purchase moving insurance to protect their property during a moving. While not required, this insurance covers amounts beyond what the moving company provides in liability.

I recommend: US-Moving offers information about moving insurance beyond what the moving company provides and how it can help protect property during the move.