What you should know when hiring movers

Summer is peak season for buying and selling homes and with that comes the not-so-glamorous reality of packing boxes hauling furniture and discovering just how various books you own Spoiler It s invariably more than you think But moving doesn t have to feel like a Herculean chore With a little planning and the right professionals it can go from stressful to dare we say it kind of satisfying Professional movers know the competition inside and out They ve seen it all from third-floor walkups to oddly-shaped heirlooms While they handle the literal heavy lifting you can focus on the excitement of settling into your new space Here s how to make your move smooth smart and as close to painless as viable Hiring tips Hiring movers is like picking a dance partner you want someone reliable skilled and able to avoid stepping on toes Here s how to find the right match Check their credentials If your move crosses state lines the company should have U S Department of Transportation registration You can check this and any complaint history at protectyourmove gov It s a quick way to separate the pros from the fly-by-nights Ask for the tariff Tariff is the moving industry s term for their list of costs and charges A good tariff spells out every cost from stairs and long carries to particularly hefty items like pianos No one likes surprise charges on moving day Know what you ve got Movers rely on the info you give them to estimate costs and time So come prepared with details square footage furniture inventory and anything remarkable Avoid big deposits The majority reputable movers won t ask for more than a modest deposit generally under If a company demands a large payment upfront that s a red flag The bulk of the bill should be due upon delivery Planning tips Now that you ve picked your movers let s talk strategy These procedures will help you stay in control and maybe even enjoy the process Book early Weekend moves fill up fast especially in summer If you re planning to move Friday through Sunday reserve your spot at least a month in advance Protect floors and walls Foot traffic and furniture don t mix well with polished floors Lay down moving blankets carpet film or cardboard to prevent scratches Wrap furniture edges to avoid dings in doorframes and walls A little padding goes a long way Scout the trouble spots Narrow hallways winding stairs tight driveways flag these prospective issues early Giving your mover a heads-up avoids mid-move surprises and extra fees Keep a packing inventory You d be surprised how speedily a limited boxes turn into a mountain of stuff A simple checklist helps you track what you packed where it went and what to check off when it arrives Put it in writing Unfailingly get a written estimate and if any scope of work changes like suddenly needing storage or extra help make sure the changes are documented too Inspect promptly You only have a short window to description damage after the move Don t delay check your belongings and file any declares ASAP Consider what to move yourself If you have items of sentimental value that money can t replace such as Grandma s fine china you might want to move those yourself With these tips your move won t just be easier it might even feel like a fresh start instead of a frantic scramble Tweet your home care questions with AskingAngi and we ll try to answer them in a future column Visit at angi com Tribune News Amenity A simple checklist helps you track what you packed where it went and what to check off when it arrives Photo Metro Creative Services