How to Choose Your Mover

Relocation can be one of the most exciting endeavors you may experience in life. The challenge of pioneering your family to a new home, community, and job opportunity can be full of rewards if you take the time to make the moving process easier.

It is not without reason that moving is cited as one of the most psychologically harrowing experiences, but it doesn't have to be. If you do some planning in advance, a little homework to find the best moving professionals, and learn about the process, you will find much of the tension of moving is relieved.

If you decide to hire a moving company, it can be nerve-racking trying to find someone you can entrust with your houseful of valuables. But once you do, it's one less thing you have to worry about during this hectic period.

Finding the best mover for your particular needs and at the right price involves a simple evaluation of your needs. Like many service-oriented industries, the moving companies of today have expanded to offer a wide range of services in order to be competitive. From planning your move, to packing and unpacking, to decorating and organizing your belongings in your new home, you can choose the extent of services you will require and have them tailored to suit your moving budget. Choose your mover at least four to six weeks in advance of your moving date.

If you are being transferred, ask your relocation agent which moving companies their company recommends. Personal friends, family, and employees of your company who have preceded your relocation may also be able to suggest a reputable mover. Consumer organizations such as the Better Business Bureau can give you additional insights.

When you compare price and service estimates from several moving companies, you will find that estimates are based on the weight of your household items, the distance they will be moved, and the amount of packing and other services you will require. Be sure to show the estimator every single item that will be moved. Find out if your mover accepts credit cards, third- party payments from your company and whether the mover operates by cash only.

Negotiations with your mover should include a clear understanding of rates and charges that will apply the mover's liability for your belongings, pick-up and delivery schedules, and claims protection.

If you are moving interstate, you should read and understand all of the information you will receive. In addition to brochures explaining their various services, moving companies should give you a copy of a consumer booklet entitled "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and information regarding the mover's participation in a Dispute Settlement Program. Distribution of the consumer booklet and the requirement that movers must offer shippers neutral arbitration as a means of settling disputes that may arise concerning loss or damage on household goods shipments are requirements of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

If you are starting a new job right away and need to have your home unpacked and in working order immediately, you may want to take advantage of move-in specialists who can customize their services to your needs. These companies specialize in executive relocations in which they, instead of you, meet your arriving furnishings. Quickly and efficiently, they will clean, decorate, and organize your belongings. When you arrive, you will find your home live-in ready with lights and sound system on, cable TV wired and ready, computer booted, clothes hung, beds made, pillows fluffed, and all of the moving boxes and debris gone.

Some of the Moving Tips to consider for a safe move:

• If you must clean your old place before moving out, pack cleaning supplies last so you’ll have plenty of rags, mops, and cleaning solutions on hand to finish the job.
• Suitcases and luggage make excellent storage for clothing, towels, and bed linens.
• Color code your moving boxes according by contents of room in which they belong (yellow sticker denotes living room contents, red sticker denotes dining room), and write the contents on the side of each box in large lettering.
• Avoid packing cardboard boxes too heavy. Rule of thumb to remember is: “Not too heavy, not too light, makes packing just right.”
• Use small plastic kitchen containers to pack large quantities of small items, such as nails, screws, or silverware from your kitchen drawers.
• Once you move into your new house, replace the batteries in the smoke alarms and make sure they're working properly.

Zippy Shell is a provider of secure, convenient, and affordable mobile self storage and moving solutions-delivered right to your door. Our mobile "Zippy Shell units" are the best way to organize your home or office space, or to make your upcoming move simple and more efficient.

For all your portable storage and moving needs in Maryland, Florida and Virginia Contact Zippy Shell today at

http://www.zippyshell.com/zippy8015 - MD -Contact No: 877-312-8015

http://www.zippyshell.com/zippy0477 - FL - Contact No: 877-345-0477

http://www.zippyshell.com/zippy2897 - VA - Contact No: 877-312-2897

VYZWS7BMUV75