Tammy Pecht
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
CONTACT ME
Moving and
relocating tips
Keller Williams Realty
3001 Lava Ridge Ct suite 100
Roseville Ca 95661
Tammy Pecht Realtor
916-425-8305










10 Major Mistakes When Picking a Mover
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By Relocation.com Staff; http://www.relocation.com/
Making mistakes when moving isn't just annoying -- it can be downright PAINFUL. So please heed these common mistakes
that people make when moving.
1. Getting moving quotes over the phone: You really think a guy on the phone can give you a precise estimate of how much it
will cost to move all your worldly possessions?
Insist on an in-home estimate. They need to see everything you have to move. Maybe you can get an accurate moving
estimate if you have a very small move, but it still pays to have someone look at your stuff in person. And if you're moving to
another state and the moving company is within 50 miles of your home, they're required to do this.
2. Not getting estimates from several moving companies - The only way to get an accurate sense for what's "fair" is to have
several movers give you estimates of how much your move will cost -- after they see your stuff in person.
3. Choosing a mover that lowballs – OK, we can't say this enough: do not not not choose the moving company that has a
dramatically lower quote. That's the No. 1 way to get scammed. Do you really think someone who comes in 25% to 40%
below other movers has such lower costs?
Nope.
Here's how it goes: You get the low estimate now, and all of a sudden extra charges start piling up until you're at or above the
estimates you got from the other movers. Worse yet, a rogue mover could hold your goods hostage until he gets his money.
4. Choosing an unlicensed, uninsured moving company. Moving companies need to be licensed, and they need to be
insured. If you're making a move within California, the California Public Utilities Commission oversees the moving industry.
Go to its Website, or call, to find out that the moving company you're looking at is licensed and insured, and also check its
record of complaints.
If you're moving to another state, the federal government has jurisdiction -- specifically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration of the Department of Transportation. Go to www.protectyourmove.gov to check up on the moving company's
licensing, insurance and its complaint history.
5. Not recognizing moving's busy season - Moving companies, particularly the good ones, get very busy in the summer. So the
more you plan ahead, the greater the chance you'll be able to line up a mover. The best deals for moving are likely to be found
during the winter and during the second and third weeks of the month -- many renters leave their residences at the beginning
of the month when most leases are signed.
6. Not getting a binding estimate – Never let someone start your move without a written contract that spells out what services
you will be receiving and how much you will be paying. If you do not feel comfortable with the moving estimate or the contract,
don't sign it. Follow your instincts.
7. Failing to disclose everything to the moving company – Maybe your apartment is on the fourth floor of a building with no
elevator; maybe you actually DO want to move that metal shelving unit in the basement; maybe the street your new home is on
is just a wee bit too small for the moving van. None of these obstacles is insurmountable, but they WILL make your move
more expensive; if you don't tell the mover about them, you will be charged for it later.
8. Not understanding your insurance options – During a move, things can go wrong. In most cases, your household items will
not be covered under your homeowners' or renters' policy. See this article for your options for protecting your goods.
9. Assuming it is easier and cheaper to move yourself – It isn't easy packing all of your items correctly, loading them into a
truck and driving this truck to your new residence: It might take you longer than you expected, it will cost much more than you
estimated, and you probably won't be as happy with the outcome when it is over. Unless your move is small or you have lots of
buddies who owe you favors, check out a moving company.
10. Not having a budget – If you are moving from a large residence or moving a long distance, you will likely incur moving
services into the thousands of dollars. Understand how these costs fit into your overall budget, which will include travel to your
new home, auto transport, temporary living expenses, insurance. Use our Relocation.com moving calculator to keep track of
your moving expenses.

If you have requested moving quotes, soon your phone will be ringing from moving companies looking for your
business.
Now what?
Do not worry, we can help. With the initial call, ask the movers for basic information about their company – address,
how many employees, are they a member of any moving associations, etc.
The answers are not as important as how the moving company treats you: Do they answer every question? Do they
appear interested in winning your business?
After you have narrowed down your list of movers to three or four, have them visit your home so they can see what
possessions you want moved, as well as other services you will require, and give you an estimate based on that.
This 'in-home survey' is the ONLY way you will get an accurate assessment of what it will cost you to move.
What do you look for when the moving consultant comes to see you? I worked for over 30 years in the moving industry
doing this exact thing: I would visit people looking to move and give them moving estimates.
During that time, I learned a great deal of what it took to build a level of trust with the consumer.
Based on that experience, here are the questions you MUST ask the moving companies, and the kinds of answers you
should get. You are not looking for just the right answer, but how the question is answered – a caring and meticulous
salesperson usually represents a caring and meticulous moving company.
1. How long have you been giving moving estimates?
You want someone who has been doing this for awhile. Experience counts for a lot. Ask the salesperson about their
background. Were they a driver or did they work in some other aspect of the moving process before being an
estimator? The more experience the individual has, the more comfortable you will be that you are getting a true
estimate. Let's be frank: Most salespeople love to talk, so if they are unwilling to discuss their experience, take that
as a red flag.
2. How long has your company been around?
If the moving company has been in business for some time, say around 10 years, it is usually a good sign they are
doing something right and have been providing good service to their customers. You should not base your decision on
the time in business alone, but it is a good insight into the company.
3. What pricing options or types of estimates do you offer? You can learn a lot about the moving company
representative – as well as the moving company – by how knowledgeable he or she seems, and how willing they are
to take the time to explain the pricing options for your move. If someone rushes through the explanation or seems to
not understand the options and how they might apply to your move, you should be a bit concerned.
4. What is my delivery schedule?
You want the answer to be realistic. For long-distance moves especially, it can be difficult to be precise to the exact
day. Most movers will ask for the option of a couple days for the delivery period. Beware of anyone who offers dates
that seem just a bit too good too be true.
5. Does your company do any repeat work for businesses in the area? Lots of people will ask a moving company for
references of individuals who have used their services, but let's face it – what mover is going to give you a BAD
reference? However, if the moving company does a lot of repeat relocation work for a particular business, it is a good
sign they consistently do quality work.
6. How will you handle (fill in the blank)? If you are moving a treasured heirloom or a large, cumbersome object like a
piano, find out how it will be moved. Again, this is another test of the moving consultant's knowledge, as well as a test
of how you can expect to be treated. If they take the time to give you a thoughtful and complete answer, chances are
good this is a company that cares about the customer and their possessions.
7. The last question is for you, the mover: Is the sales representative just telling you what you want to hear? This can
be a tough call and may require the ability to read body language. You probably do not want to work with someone
who disagrees with everything you say, but sometimes the moving consultant may make a suggestion that is different
than your thinking. Did what they say make sense? If it did, it's a good sign the salesperson is someone looking out for
your interests.
After you meet all the applicants, compare notes. Don't let price be your only guide; in fact, a much lower price may
indicate that something was missed in the assessment, or indicate you'll get hit with additional charges later. Follow-
up after the ‘in-home estimate' is also important.
Finally, and this seem elemental, but which moving consultant worked the hardest for your business?
Questions You Must Ask Your Mover
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