The Savvy Life

For most people, moving is on the No Fun list, right up there with paying taxes and waiting in line at the DMV. It costs too much, takes too much time and effort, and may even strain relationships. Unfortunately - especially in trying economic times - moving may be necessary. It can even be a smart move if it lowers your housing payment.

If you don’t have a bunch of burly friends to help you move, you’ll need to hire a moving company. But everyone’s heard the horror stories: you make it to your destination, but your furniture doesn’t. Or your stuff shows up, but it’s smashed. I’ve even heard one story about a company confirming a price, then changing that estimate once the furniture was on the truck, virtually holding it hostage.

Fortunately, these stories are extreme exceptions. To reduce the possibility of making a bad move, use the following guidelines. 

• Ask your network of family, friends and co-workers for recommendations. Whether your move is local or long distance, your best bet is a referral from someone you trust who has actually used the company’s services.
• For instant quotes, check with a website such as Moving.org, the website of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), or Movingcompanies.us.
• To research movers, check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at fmcsa.dot.gov or call (202) 366-9805. At the website, you can see a snapshot of the company’s fleet, their safety record, and even file complaints.
• For more information, check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.

For my upcoming local move, I started with Movingcompanies.us to check the going rates. In a period of two weeks, I got about 20 calls within the allotted hours I selected, and many more email estimates. It was a lot of information, but provided a large sample of quotes to compare.

Hourly rates are common, and in my research went from $59 to $129 an hour, with a team of two to four movers and one truck. To move my one bedroom apartment, I selected a company that will charge $69 an hour for two movers. They expect to complete the move in three to four hours.

Long distance moves are infinitely more complicated. Moving companies will usually charge by the pound. Check the resources listed above exhaustively to find a long distance mover, and go over the contract diligently. For delicate items or family heirlooms, consider shipping them separately via UPS or FedEx with insurance. Insurance for your belongings in a long distance move is calculated the way it’s delivered: by the pound. You won’t be able to replace Grandma’s crystal with what the insurance will pay for them.

Also, whether you’re making a local or long distance move, try to do most of the packing yourself. When you pack your belongings in boxes with lids and tape them closed, you’ll save time and avoid hefty markups on packing materials. Check your local grocery or big box store for boxes that will be recycled. Walmart also sells low-cost boxes and packing materials.

Unless it’s temporary, paying for storage is always a bad idea. Storage spaces can run from $50 a month to $300 and more. But why pay to store belongings you aren’t currently using? It’s a better idea to cull those items and either sell them or give them to charity. Save the monthly payment to cut down on housing costs.

Finally, if you use a moving company and you get great service, let them know. Offer to be a referral to other prospective customers. My last move was a breeze, and I was happy to speak to a few anxious movers on the phone over the years to share my experience on behalf of the company. After researching the competition for my current move, I decided to go with this company again. For company loyalty and my service as a referral, they gave me a discounted rate. I expect another great moving experience, because they know if I don’t get one, their reputation is on the line.

Rosemary Picado is a freelance journalist and technical writer. She has worked as a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. She lives in San Jose.