Great Guys Movers

Things to Know Before Hiring Long Distance Movers?

If you are moving long-distance, no matter if it is intrastate, interstate, or across the country, there are quite a few things to consider that make the option of hiring a professional mover more attractive.

1. Your Employer Might Pay for It

Why are you moving? The type of move matters a great deal when weighing whether to hire a mover. For instance, if you are moving due to a change or promotion in your career, you may find that managing your move while settling into a new office is too overwhelming. If your employer is paying for or reimbursing your move, you should consider hiring a professional to hammer out the complicated logistics for you.

2. Reduces the Risk of Damage to your Possessions

The nature of moving cross-country or even hours away in the same state creates the potential for damage to occur. There are also many logistical concerns when it comes to moving long distances such as the how to pack the moving truck or where to find a safe place to park the truck overnight. Hiring a professional mover to transport your possessions places these concerns in the hands of certified, insured, and bonded professionals that make it their business to ensure safe delivery of your valuable and cherished belongings.

3. They Have Necessary Equipment and Supplies

If you hire a professional relocation service to manage your move, you won’t have to worry about buying proper equipment, a breakdown while on the road, or damage to your belongings from improper packing. Plus, you won’t have to deal with the often, nerve-wracking prospect of driving a big, bulky moving truck on busy interstate roads.

4. It Reduces the Risk of Accident

Statistically speaking, the longer you are on the road, the more prone you are to have an accident.  Our partner companies comply with all state and federal DOT guidelines to ensure safety on the road and prompt and efficient delivery of your valuables. They drive large moving trucks hundreds of miles every day, so they have the expertise to safely deliver items to your new home. In the unlikely event that an accident does occur, out partner companies carry the proper insurance to reimburse you for any damage.

5. It Reduces the Stress of Your Move

Moving on your own is massively stressful. Successfully completing a long-distance move by yourself means thoroughly thinking through every detail of the transition, while you still juggle everything else in your life. Hiring a pro mover will allow you to relax and have peace of mind knowing that the only thing you need to worry about is getting yourself to your new home. You can leave the rest to the professionals.

Don’t leave it to chance.  If you are faced with an out-of-town or across-the-country relocation, get a quote from our properly vetted, licensed, bonded, and insured professional moving specialists and make sure everything from your home makes it where it needs to go!

What Are the Cheapest Long-Distance Moving Options?

You have several options when it comes to choosing how to move across the country:

1. Sell Most of Your Possessions

Many people moving long distances, especially those moving across the country or out of the country, choose to sell most of their belongings before the move. This saves on time, the cost of renting a truck or hiring movers, and can put extra cash in your pocket for unexpected expenses along the way. Then, when you arrive at your destination, you have the flexibility to examine your environment and buy what you need for your new space instead of trying to make old belongings fit in a new location. The downside to selling your belongings is that you may not get your asking price. Additionally, more than likely, you will not receive the true value for your goods, especially if you get rid of items in a hurry. When considering this option, make sure to consider how much you’ll be able to get for your current items and how much you can expect to pay to replace them after the move.

2. Rent a Truck

If you’ve ever moved in your life, you are likely familiar with renting a moving truck. There are a few nationwide companies that rent out long-distance moving trucks for DIY moves. While this might seem like the most affordable option for transporting your stuff, what you probably don’t know is that it can literally cost you thousands of dollars by the time you have paid for the truck fee, mileage, and fuel to move your belongings out of state. Furthermore, if you are doing all the work on your own, you must contend with stops along the way, plus food, supplies, and equipment rentals. While renting a moving truck for in-town moves can be a very affordable option, you may find it just as costly as hiring a professional mover for a cross-country relocation. Additionally, you may not have anyone to help you unload when you get to your new home. These factors, along with not having to deal with the stress of a DIY move, can make hiring a pro the more attractive option.

3. Rent a Cargo Trailer

A cargo trailer attaches to your personal vehicle via a tow hitch. This is a great option if you don’t mind driving long distances in your personal vehicle or you plan on driving to your new home anyway. You may want to consider renting a cargo trailer for your long-distance move if you need to save money, you don’t have much stuff or if your belongings do not need to be handled with extreme care. However, be aware that towing a trailer does pose the danger of “jackknifing” if you are not familiar with driving with an attached trailer or if road conditions are dangerous. If you are looking for a cheap moving solution and don’t mind the risks of towing a trailer, then renting a cargo trailer just may be what you are looking for.

4. Rent a Moving Container

Renting a moving container is a relatively inexpensive and reliable method for moving long distance. It is an especially convenient moving solution when you need temporary storage during the move. Moving container companies typically allow customers to have a storage container dropped off at their residence on demand. Then, you can pack it at your leisure, request pick-up, and have it stored in a climate-controlled facility until you are ready to have it delivered to you. This may cost less than a full-service move and is sometimes cheaper than renting a truck. The one major downside of renting a moving container is that you’re still responsible for loading and unloading it. Just as with a rental truck, finding people to help you unload a truck hundreds of miles away from your new home can be challenging.

5. Hire Movers

If you have a long-distance move ahead of you, hiring a professional relocation service may be your best option. In addition to eliminating the headaches associated with the logistics of moving a household from one state to another, hiring a professional can ensure that your belongings are safe and secure during the moving process. Additionally, legitimate moving companies are licensed and insured, which means they assume full responsibility for your things if something does go wrong. After you consider the costs associated with other methods of moving, you might be surprised at the relative affordability of hiring a full-service moving company.

It never hurts to explore all your options when tackling a relocation of this magnitude. Price out your options, so you can choose the most affordable and convenient solution for you! Great Guys Moving allows you to request free moving quotes from licensed and insured interstate moving companies. We can also help you get quotes on renting moving containers or auto transport services. With this information, you can make an informed decision about your method of moving.

How to Save Money When Moving Long Distance?

During a long-distance move, there are many ways to save money, depending on how you choose to make the move. Each move is different, and you may require certain services that other people may not.  For instance, you may find a professional mover that is able to offer you a package price on a full-service move that is cheaper than many of the other options available. However, if you are not looking for a full-service option, consider the following strategies to trim expenses off the total cost of your move:

1. Shop around

This advice applies whether you are renting a truck, storing your goods, or hiring a full-service professional mover. By getting competing quotes from multiple services, you can compare prices, services offered, equipment used, insurance, and every other facet that is important during a move. Great Guys Moving can help you save money on your move by providing you with multiple quotes from professional movers, all of which provide multiple levels of service and options, including full-service moves, storage rentals, and more.

2. Pack on your own

If you are hiring a moving company, consider packing your belongings yourself instead of opting for a full-service move. If you are not familiar with the best practices for packing for long-distance transit, you can find free tutorials online to ensure that your items are packed in a manner that will keep them safe during the move. Packing yourself can save you hundreds of dollars!

3. Reuse boxes

Not only can reusing boxes save you money; it is also environmentally-friendly. It takes heavy machinery and lots of resources to manufacture the cardboard used for boxes, even when recycled products are used to make them. If a box is not damaged, and the corners are intact, you can reuse a cardboard box many times over before it loses its integrity. If you are a price-conscious and green consumer, consider asking friends and family for their used boxes or sourcing your boxes from businesses that discard boxes from shipments.

4. Tow your car to save gas

If you are renting a truck to move, you can also rent a “vehicle dolly” to tow your personal vehicle. Not only does this save you potentially hundreds of dollars in fuel costs but is also prevents adding unwanted wear-and-tear to your car or truck. Even if you are hiring a professional mover, many companies offer vehicle towing as an option as well, in case you wish to use alternative means of travel, such as flying, to reach your destination while your belongings are in transit.

5. Move during the slow season

Moving companies are typically slammed during the summer months. Starting in May, as the weather warms up and kids get out of school, the moving season ramps up and doesn’t slow back down until October. During this hectic time, not only are moving services priced at a premium, but it may be difficult to find movers who can work on your schedule. If possible, try to book your move during the slow season from October through April.

6. Get rid of stuff you don’t need

Most of us have unwanted or unused items stockpiled in closets or lurking in the back of cabinets and drawers. Not only do these things clutter your home, but they cost money to move! If you have items you’ve been hanging onto that you no longer use, now is the time to get rid of them. Have a garage sale, post stuff on Craigslist, or donate to a local thrift shop. It doesn’t matter how you choose to dispose of these items, discarding them now will save you money on your move!

What Are the Different Types of Long-Distance Moving Quotes?

When preparing for a move, professional movers offer three primary types of estimates when preparing quotes for customers. These include:

1. Binding Quotes

A binding quote is the most accurate type of quote. With this type of quote, the moving company gives a price for the services required, and this price does not fluctuate.  A binding quote is the best option when it comes to protecting yourself from unscrupulous scam artists, as it is a set-in-stone price and does not allow wiggle room for the mover to add unexpected expenses.

2. Binding Not-to-Exceed Quote

Just as with a binding quote, a “not-to-exceed” quote gives the customer a firm price. The difference here is that the price given is the maximum cost for the move. With this type of quote, your final price could vary from the amount quoted, but this variance can only be less than the “not-to-exceed” price; so, you could end up paying less than the amount you were quoted, but never more. This is the most favorable type of quote for a customer.

3. Non-Binding Quote

A non-binding estimate is an estimated price to move your belongings that is subject to change. Non-binding quotes are generally given when the moving service does not have all the information needed in order to give a more accurate binding quote. These are the types of quotes that are generally given over the phone and are considered a “ballpark” figure for the entire move. They are usually the first type of quote given before the mover has had a chance to completely analyze the extent of the services a customer may require. Non-binding quotes are subject to change, and this means that they are also subject to abuse. While they are a good tool to give you a general range, you should always follow up and request a binding quote before you sign any contract, or you may find yourself getting charged for services way outside of your original quote range.

How the Moving Quote Process Works

The estimate process usually involves giving you a “ballpark” figure after gathering a minimal amount of information from you. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of movers, provide the final two or three companies with your home inventory and schedule a walk-through with a representative. After a walk-through, an honest relocation company should be able to provide you with a binding quote or a “not-to-exceed” binding quote, so that you may lock in the price and know for certain what the services will cost. You should always be skeptical of a moving service that will only provide you with a non-binding estimate, as any professional should be able to give you a binding quote after having a physical look at your current housing arrangement and the services required to get you to your new home.

What Are the Steps for Moving Long Distance?

Preparing for a long-distance move can be stressful. Unlike with a local move, where you can literally load up a rented truck and do most of the work yourself within a day, a long distance move takes careful planning and ample time for execution. If you leave something valuable behind, you can’t simply drive back across town or down the street to your old home to retrieve it, so it is important to make sure a proper plan is put into place to make sure that headaches are eliminated.  Here are some of the steps you should take when preparing for a long-distance move:

1. Determine How You Will Move

Will you use a professional mover to perform a full-service move or will you simply hire someone to drive your possessions to your new out-of-state home? Do you prefer packing a storage container at your own leisure or will you allow the moving company you hire to pack, stack, move, load, drive, unload, and set-up everything? The first step you should take when preparing for a long-distance move is determining the services you will need. Once you have done this, you can move down the list.

2. Take a Home Inventory

Whether you use a handy pre-made checklist or if you simply write everything down in a notebook, creating a home inventory is a must during a long-distance move. Any time you are going to have a stranger handling your belongings, making such a checklist is essential. By taking inventory of your belongings, you document everything you own as well as the condition it is in before any professionals enter the process. This protects you from theft and damage. Consider snapping photos of your expensive or cherished possessions to supplement the checklist as well. This inventory can come in handy in the future for insurance claims as well.

3. Shop Around for Quotes

Saving money during any big life change is always desirable, so taking the time to get multiple quotes from different long-distance moving companies is always something that is worth the effort.  Whether you are using a service, such as Great Guys Moving, to get these quotes or not, you should always take this step to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. When shopping for an estimate, you can prevent unexpected expenses by giving the moving company or broker as much information as possible, including your home inventory, so that the quote can be as complete and as accurate as possible.

4. Decide What to Keep with You

It is very likely that you have special or sentimental items that you do not want to put in the back of a moving truck or entrust to the hands of strangers, no matter how professional they are. Taking a second to rescan your belongings and your home inventory to determine what you want to carry with you during the move is an important part of making sure your most important belongings make it to your new location in one piece.

5. Buy Supplies and Equipment

If you decide against hiring a professional for a full-service move, you’ll need to purchase moving supplies yourself. Don’t forget sturdy cardboard boxes, packing tape, packing paper, scissors, and labels.

6. Plan for Children and/or Pets

Let’s face it – children get bored during long trips just as much as adults do (if not more so). You may need to plan sight-seeing games and activities (or movies if you have in-car entertainment), pack snacks and drinks, and even an extra change of clothes for your kids if you are moving a long distance away from your current home.

Regarding your pets, if you are going to keep them in a crate, making sure that it is large enough to accommodate your beloved pets is a must. Keep in mind, you will have to stop to allow your animals time to stretch, eat, and use the restroom.  Make sure to plan these stops into your itinerary so that you are not behind on your trip.

7. Plan for the Unexpected

If you are driving the entire distance of a long-distance move, make sure you keep enough cash on you in case you need to stop somewhere that doesn’t or cannot accept debit/credit cards for any reason.  The last thing you need is to stop for gas, only to be told by the station attendant that the credit card machine is down.

8. Transfer Utilities

Anytime you move, you already know that you must transfer your utilities to the new address or cancel and start over with new service providers. When you are moving out of state, this can become a great hassle, because you may not be dealing with the same providers when it comes to electric, phone, cable, internet, natural gas for heat, etc.  Spend a little time on the internet researching the providers for these services on your own, and when you have finalized your moving plans, make sure to give these utility companies enough notice beforehand to have the services active on the date of your move-in at your new home. This step will save you a ton of headaches.

Relocation Glossary: Moving Terms That You Should Know

As you plan your long distance move, here are some terms that might come in handy:

·         Intrastate Movers: Intrastate moving, in relation to a long-distance move, simply refers to a move that is done within the same state. For instance, relocating from Los Angeles to Sacramento or from Atlanta to Savannah are both intrastate moves. Movers that specialize in intrastate moving generally have all the same services available as interstate movers and local movers but may not carry the insurance or bonds required to move across state lines.

·         Interstate Movers: Interstate moving refers to a move taking place from one state to another.  Also known as a cross-country move, an interstate move is the most stressful type of move. A relocation company that specializes in interstate moves will generally have to carry licensing, insurance, and bonding in the state where they are headquartered as well as any other states that they provide services in. Additionally, interstate moving companies must meet federal Department of Transportation requirements.

·         Moving Broker: A moving broker is an individual or agency that does not actually offer the moving service but acts as a conduit between consumers and professional movers.  A moving broker will generally offer quotes and perform research into the companies that they connect consumers to, making the process of moving more convenient and safer.

·         Peak Moving Season: The peak moving season refers to the time of year where the volume of moves is at its highest. This is also a more expensive time to move as moving services are in high demand. For most moving companies, peak moving season is typically from May – September.

·         Piggyback Move or Consolidated: A consolidated shipment, also known as a piggyback move, occurs when multiple destinations are along the same route or close to one another. To save on costs, a professional moving company may combine shipments onto one truck, carefully separating the contents, to be delivered by the same crew. Customers can save quite a bit of money by opting to be included in a piggyback move, if it’s available for the area they are moving to.

·         Dedicated Shipment: A dedicated shipment is the opposite of a consolidated shipment. This term refers to a shipment that takes place for the purpose of relocating a single load or a single customer.  Items moved in a dedicated shipment are destined for the one end location for the one client.

·         Moving Estimate: A moving estimate refers to the process of estimating costs and providing a monetary quote to the individual or family that is relocating.  An estimate may change during the actual process due to unforeseen events or circumstances that arise.

·         Bill of Lading: A bill of lading is a document that is required to move a shipment. It is a legal document that acknowledged receipt of the goods to be moved by the carrier relocating the goods. A bill of lading serves as a contract and a title document for the goods in transit.

·         Home Inventory: A home inventory is a complete, room-by-room checklist of the items that you are moving. This is a vital tool when hiring a moving professional to relocate your cherished belongings. Several major insurance companies offer blank home inventory templates with instructions.

·         Shipping Weight vs. Shipping Volume: Shipping weight relates to the heaviness of an item being shipped; whereas shipping volume related to the amount of space the item being shipped takes up.  The final cost of your move is typically determined by the shipping weight.

·         Certified Scale: A certified scale is a scale that has been manufactured and calibrated according to the laws and regulations of the applicable state authority responsible for weights and balances. For instance, in Florida, the agency responsible is the Florida Department of Agriculture. In other states, the responsibility of certifying scales may fall to the state transportation authority. Certified scales are inspected for accuracy and calibrated at intervals determined by the legislature or regulatory agency for the state in which they are located.

How to Avoid Long Distance Moving Scams

Just as in any industry, scams exist in the moving industry. Unfortunately, you will find that there are unscrupulous rogue agencies who stand ready to separate you from your hard-earned money. Hands down, the best way to prevent falling victim to a scam is to make sure that you are only doing business with a licensed, insured, and bonded relocation specialist with a great reputation.Great Guys Moving can help you stay safe during your next move. We only deal with properly vetted professional movers, and we do the work of ensuring that each partner company that we connect you with has the legally required amount of insurance, the proper licensing, and the required bond to operate as a professional mover. Here are some of the common scams and pitfalls that customers commonly encounter with rogue moving companies:

1. False representation of operational status/illegal operation

This is the most common scam you will come across among professional movers. Dishonest operation can run the gamut from the company lying about the amount of insurance they have to outright illegal, unlicensed operation. If you fall victim to an illegal moving company, you may not even know it. However, if your goods are damaged during the move, you will quickly learn that you have little recourse in recovering funds for damaged caused, which can be devastating. By ensuring that you only work with properly vetted professionals, Great Guys Moving can help you avoid this potentially expensive scam altogether. Also, you can always avoid this scam by asking for the moving company’s US Dept of Transportation (USDOT) registration number and doing the research yourself for added peace of mind.

2. Holding your property hostage

Hostage holding involves the rogue company refusing to give you your cherished possessions unless you hand them large sums of cash. The company will appear to be professional and honest, but after they’ve picked up your things, they might threaten to keep your property unless you hand over cash. This is a felony criminal offense akin to grand theft or larceny, and if a moving “professional” is caught doing this, you will have the weight of the law on your side. You can avoid this scam by doing your research on the mover you choose, including a search on the Better Business Bureau website to check for complaints as well as a search on the US Government’s Federal Trade Commission Scam Alert website, found at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts.

3. Sudden demand for more money

With this scam, you might be given a reasonable quote before your move only to get a much higher bill at the end of your move. The company might add extra charges to your final invoice, such as charges for supplies that they never used or an overcharge for mileage that they never traveled. To avoid this common scam, you should always get the most complete original estimate as possible, including a home inventory and estimate from the moving company before the move, so they cannot later try to charge you for a service never received or for an “unforeseen expense.”

4. Asking for an artificially high security deposit

During peak moving season (see the “terms” section above), it is customary for professional movers to request a nonrefundable deposit to reserve their services. It is very common for people to back out at the last moment. During peak moving season, this can cost movers lots of money, as they have likely already scheduled the customer’s move and declined others for that same time on the company calendar. The security deposit ensures that, after you have made the choice to hire the mover, you do not back out and cost them money in the process. Rogue movers will artificially inflate the security deposit, asking you for a huge sum up front before disappearing. If you are not careful, you could be out hundreds of dollars paid to a company you will never be able to locate again, as fraudsters involved in this scam almost never give their correct identifying information.  This is another scam that Great Guys Moving can help you to avoid by only giving you quotes to reputable movers. Furthermore, accessing company information through the BBB or FTC can also limit the possibility of falling victim to this costly fraud.