Hiring local movers – tips and hints

However simple it may seem, a local move is a venture of its own accord. Whether you are moving down the block or 50 miles further, it’s wise to have a proper understanding of a project as big as this one. Unless you are a professional mover yourself, hiring local movers is probably the best choice. In this text, we will go through some tips and hints that ought to introduce and guide you through the actions that will follow.

Hiring local movers vs a DIY relocation

Unlike an interstate or long distance moving, local moving comes with simpler tasks and obligations. If this is not your first time, it might be safe to say that you can pull it off on your own. However, if you are a novice and feel a bit lost and confused, hiring local movers is probably the right option. Four main questions that you ought to ask yourself before opting for a DIY move are:

1. Is this the first time that you will be doing such a quest?
2. Are competent friends ready to step in come moving day?
3. Does this move include relocating delicate objects that require special packing?
4. Are you eligible to drive a fully loaded moving truck?

A negative answer to any of these makes hiring local movers a wiser decision.

How to find good local movers

Finding local movers is a rather undemanding task. Finding good local movers, on the other hand, does require a bit more effort. A smart move would be to take your time to find a reliable company that best suits your needs as possibilities. But, how does one go about such a quest?

• Start with asking your friends, family or coworkers. Chances are at least a few of them have moved sometime in their past, or they know someone who has. Word-Of-Mouth recommendations are realistic and reliable more often than not.
• If you failed to find a company that piques your interest, it’s time to turn to the Internet. Look for reviews and customer testimonials and find out what former clients have to say about the company in question. Professional movers understand the importance of good reviews and will try their best to leave their clients happy and content. Zippy Shell Columbus Moving and Storage, for example, have excellent customer reviews and even encourage feedback upon finished business.
• Hopefully, you’ve made a few picks. The right way to proceed would be to request moving cost estimates from those companies and then choose your moving company depending on the quote that best suits your budget.

How much will it cost?

Before you hire a moving company, familiarize yourself with the average cost of a local move. It will help differentiate the ones that are too expensive and point you to low-cost movers. Unlike long distance and cross-country movers who base their price on the shipment’s weight, move distance and extra services, local movers charge by the hour. Depending on the time of the year, your location and the moving company itself, it’s safe to say that the average cost is around $40 per hour. Of course, prices vary, so see that you are properly informed.

Can you reduce the price?

Sure you can. As a matter of fact, there are a number of ways to do so. For starters, it’s best to use this time to get rid of the items you no longer need. We like to call this process decluttering. Simply go room to room and separate what you want to carry with you from the things you deem redundant. You can later toss, donate or even sell them, making some money along the way. Lesser things to pack and transport will result in more money saved. You will need fewer boxes, packing material and lesser time to take care of it all.

You can also pack most of your belongings on your own. It will significantly reduce the amount of time that the moving company spends on your relocation. Leave only the items you don’t know how to pack properly. These include aquarium, pool-table, antiques and such.

It would also be wise to plan your move so that you avoid peak season. This period includes all the months from October until April. Moving companies tend to have better offers at that time, due to the lack of interest from the customers.

Signs of bad local movers

Not all local movers in Columbus have your best interest in mind. It is important to stay alert and avoid companies that do not shy away from fraudulent techniques in order to get more money from you. Reliable indicators of a bad moving company include:

• Moving quotes that are to low in comparison to others. A simple rule to follow: if it’s too good to be true, it most probably is.
• If the moving company you are reviewing is not a member of the American Moving and Storage Association as well as the Better Business Bureau, it’s time to keep on looking.
• A requirement of large deposits in advance is almost unmistakably a sign of a fraudulent company. A deposit for hiring local movers should not exceed 10-15% of the estimated final cost.
• If their website fails to show their e-mails, numbers, and address, we’d deem it suspicious. Check Google maps to see if the address they are providing is indeed the one they are located in.
• When calling them, pay attention to the way the agent answers. If it’s a simple ‘Movers’ or something similar, it is a red flag. Any reputable company will answer the phone with its full name.

Don’t forget to tip

Don’t get us wrong, this is by no means a mandatory action. Tipping should be regarded as a way of expressing gratitude towards movers who have done a good job. If you are not content with the service they have provided and have simply regretted hiring local movers, by all means, do not reward their poor conduct. However, if you are pleased with the job done, feel free to tip $5 per mover, per hour. If you are particularly delighted, an amount of $8 per mover, per hour should do more than suffice.