Essential Moving Prep: What to Gather Before Hiring Movers

Before hiring movers, prepare your moving inventory, timeline, and budget. Gather home details, insurance information, and create a list of fragile items. Having this information ready helps you get accurate quotes and identify trustworthy companies.

Why Does Preparation Matter When Hiring Movers?

Proper preparation is your best defense against moving disasters. When you approach moving companies with organized information, you demonstrate that you're a serious customer who knows what to expect. This preparation helps legitimate companies provide accurate estimates while exposing less reliable operators who give vague quotes or avoid detailed questions. Well-prepared customers also tend to have smoother moves because they've thought through potential challenges in advance. The time you invest in preparation pays dividends in reduced stress, better service, and fewer unexpected costs on moving day.

What Information Should You Gather About Your Move?

Creating a comprehensive moving profile helps you get accurate quotes and sets clear expectations:

1. Complete home inventory including room-by-room item counts and weights when possible
2. Moving timeline with flexible and non-negotiable dates clearly identified
3. Both origin and destination addresses with any access challenges noted
4. Special items requiring extra care like pianos, artwork, or antiques
5. Services needed beyond basic moving such as packing, storage, or assembly
6. Budget range including both minimum and maximum amounts you're comfortable spending

What Documents Should You Have Ready?

• Current homeowners or renters insurance policy details
• Inventory photos or video of valuable items
• List of items you'll pack yourself versus professional packing
• Building or HOA moving requirements and restrictions
• Parking permits or reservation requirements for moving trucks
• Contact information for building managers at both locations
• Preferred payment methods and any financing needs
• References from previous moves or major service experiences

How Do You Create an Accurate Moving Inventory?

An accurate inventory is the foundation of reliable moving quotes. Start by walking through your home room by room, noting major furniture pieces, appliances, and boxes you expect to pack. Take photos of valuable items and note their approximate weight if known. Don't forget often-overlooked areas like basements, attics, garages, and outdoor items. Be honest about the volume – underestimating leads to surprise costs and potential delays on moving day. Many people underestimate by 25-30%, so consider having a buffer in your estimates. Include measurements for large items and note any that require disassembly or special handling.

What Questions Should You Prepare to Ask Moving Companies?

Preparing your questions in advance ensures you gather consistent information from each company. Focus on understanding their experience with moves similar to yours, their insurance and licensing status, and their policies for handling problems. Ask about their crew size, estimated timeline, and what happens if the move takes longer than expected. Inquire about additional fees that might not be included in the base quote, such as stairs, long carries, or storage. Understanding their claims process and how they handle damaged items is crucial. The best companies will appreciate detailed questions and answer them thoroughly, while questionable operators may give vague responses or seem irritated by your diligence.

What Are the Red Flags to Watch For?

Certain behaviors and practices signal unreliable moving companies:

• Door-to-door solicitation or unusually low estimates compared to others
• Requests for large deposits or cash-only payments upfront
• No physical address or reluctance to provide licensing information
• Estimates given without seeing your belongings in person or virtually
• No written contract or estimates provided only verbally
• Poor communication, unreturned calls, or unprofessional interactions
• No insurance coverage or unwillingness to explain their policy
• Reviews mentioning hostage loads or unexpected price increases

How Should You Budget for Your Move?

Moving costs extend beyond the basic transportation fee. Factor in packing materials, temporary storage if needed, travel expenses, and time off work. Professional packing services can add 30-50% to your total cost but may be worth it for fragile items or time-pressed situations. Consider the hidden costs like utility deposits, cleaning supplies, and immediate necessities for your first few days. Build in a 20% buffer for unexpected expenses – moves almost always cost more than initially planned. Get quotes from multiple companies but remember that the cheapest option often comes with risks. Quality movers charge fair prices for professional service.

What Should You Know About Moving Insurance?

Understanding insurance options protects your belongings and your budget. Basic coverage is often minimal – sometimes as low as 60 cents per pound per item. Full-value protection costs more but provides better coverage for damaged or lost items. Check whether your homeowners or renters insurance covers moves; many policies have limited coverage for items in transit. For valuable items like jewelry, art, or antiques, consider separate coverage. Document everything with photos and keep receipts for valuable items. Ask moving companies to explain their claims process and typical resolution timeframes. The best companies make filing claims straightforward, while problematic movers create obstacles to avoid paying claims.

How Do You Verify a Moving Company's Credentials?

Legitimate moving companies must be licensed and insured, but verification requires some detective work. Interstate movers need USDOT numbers, which you can verify through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Local movers should have state licensing and local business permits. Check their Better Business Bureau rating and look up reviews on multiple platforms, not just their website. Verify their physical address and visit if possible – legitimate companies have real offices and equipment. Ask for references from recent customers and actually contact them. Professional associations like the American Moving and Storage Association indicate companies that follow industry standards.

When Should You Start the Hiring Process?

Timing your moving company search properly ensures better availability and pricing. Start researching companies 6-8 weeks before your move date, especially during peak moving season (May through September). Summer months and month-end dates book fastest, so flexibility with timing can save money and provide more options. Begin gathering quotes 4-6 weeks out, allowing time for in-home estimates and comparison shopping. Don't wait until the last minute – rushed decisions often lead to poor choices and higher costs. Popular moving dates like weekends and the first/last days of the month command premium pricing, while mid-week and mid-month moves often cost less.