How to Find the Right Moving Company

Moving to a new home or office is an exciting but demanding situation. As such, many people opt to hire movers to help them move. Movers can help with your entire move, including packing, loading, transporting, and unloading your possessions. One crucial decision that can significantly impact your moving experience is choosing the right moving company. With numerous moving companies available, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and make an informed decision. Here are some of the key factors to consider when selecting movers for your upcoming move, ensuring a smooth and stress-free transition to your new location.

Familiarize Yourself With Common Moving Terms

Prior to starting a search for movers for your move, one of the first things that you should do is to take the time to familiarize yourself with common moving terms, or moving lingo. This helps you to better communicate with movers and understand the terms that movers are using. For example, movers often use the terms interstate and intrastate. Intrastate movers only move within your existing state. They do not move goods over state lines. According to Forbes, almost 60% of local movers, or intrastate movers typically stay within county lines. Interstate movers cross state lines. So if you are moving out of state, you want an interstate mover.

Determine Your Specific Needs

Before you start your search for a company to help you move, it’s crucial to determine your specific moving needs. Consider factors such as the size of your move, the distance you’ll be relocating, and any additional services you may need, such as packing, storage, or specialty item handling. Understanding your unique needs will help you narrow down what specific services you will need. From there, you can search through various companies to find a company that offers the specific services you need and can meet your requirements.

Conduct Research

Now that you have familiarized yourself with moving lingo and determined your specific needs, you are ready to really begin your search for movers for your upcoming move. Start your search by gathering recommendations from trusted sources. Seek referrals from family, friends, or colleagues who have recently moved and had a positive experience with a particular moving company. You can also search online for movers who can assist you. Utilize online platforms and review websites to read customer feedback and ratings. Pay attention to reviews that mention professionalism, reliability, and efficient handling of belongings. Also, pay close attention to negative reviews. Be wary of companies that have multiple negative reviews for things such as increasing the price, not delivering items within the required timeframe, having lost items, or having broken items.

Verify Credentials and Insurance

Unfortunately, not every moving company out there is honest or licensed. As such, you want to take the time to ensure that the moving business you’re considering is properly licensed and insured. Request an interstate mover’s Department of Transportation number, also known as a DOT number, and check their licensing status. Intrastate movers must possess a business license in the state in which they are licensed to move, so check the specific state for their licensing requirements. A legitimate and reputable moving business should have all the necessary credentials in place.

Furthermore, always inquire about a company’s insurance coverage. The company itself should be licensed, and they should have basic liability, plus additional supplemental insurance products you can purchase. While basic liability coverage is often included, it may not be sufficient to protect the full value of your belongings. Consider purchasing additional moving insurance or discussing options for supplemental coverage with the moving company.

Obtain In-Person Estimates

It is important to obtain estimates prior to selecting a company to assist with your upcoming move. The quote will include a rough estimate of the cost of your move. During the assessment, ensure the moving service representative evaluates all the items you plan to move, including any items that may present a potential challenge or require special care. Be prepared to provide accurate information about your move to receive the most accurate estimate possible.

Once you have the estimates in hand, compare the estimates received. Take note of the services included, the pricing structure, and any additional fees or surcharges. Remember that the lowest estimate may not always be the best choice. Consider the company’s reputation, experience, and overall professionalism when making your decision. Also, find out if the estimate is binding or non-binding.

Ask About the Moving Process and Equipment

Take the time to understand the moving company’s process and the equipment they utilize. Inquire about their packing methods, handling procedures for fragile items, and how they protect furniture during transit. Well-established moving companies should have the proper equipment, such as dollies, straps, and padding materials, to ensure the safe transportation of your belongings.

Additionally, discuss the estimated timeline for your move and the company’s policy regarding any delays or changes. Clear communication about the moving process will help set realistic expectations and ensure a smooth relocation. You also want to ensure a company can deliver your possessions in a timely manner.

Evaluate Customer Service and Communication

Effective communication and exceptional customer service are crucial factors to consider when selecting and hiring a mover. Pay attention to their responsiveness and willingness to address your concerns promptly. A professional and reliable moving company should be transparent, provide clear answers to your questions, and offer support throughout the entire moving process. If the company is hard to get a hold of, does not return calls, or cannot answer your questions, they are likely not the ideal company to assist with your upcoming move.

Review the Contract

Before making a final decision and signing a contract, ask to see a copy of a mover’s contract. Carefully and thoroughly review the contracts and terms of service provided by the moving company. Ensure you understand all the terms and conditions, including payment terms, cancellation policies, and any potential liability limitations. If any clauses or provisions seem unclear, don’t hesitate to seek clarification from a representative associated with the company. Signing a contract without fully understanding the terms can lead to misunderstandings or disputes down the line.

Trust Your Instincts

Lastly, always trust your instincts as you go about choosing a moving company. If something feels off or if you have any doubts about a particular company, it’s better to explore other options. Remember, you are entrusting your valuable possessions to the moving company, so it’s essential to have confidence in their professionalism and reliability. There are many moving companies out there, so with a little work and time, you can find one that meets all of your requirements and that you fully trust with your possessions.

Finding the right moving company is not a fast or easy process. It requires careful research, evaluation, and consideration of your specific needs. By determining your requirements, gathering recommendations, verifying credentials, obtaining in-person estimates, assessing the moving process and equipment, evaluating customer service, and reviewing contracts, you can make an informed decision. The right movers will not only handle your belongings with care but also provide a seamless and stress-free moving experience. If you are planning a move in the near future, we would love to earn your business. Reach out to the Olympia Moving and Storage team today with any questions you may have or to get an estimate.

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company

Preparing to move is a big deal and using professional assistance is common. According to OnCue, a moving software company, professional moving services help Americans with about 650,000 moves every year. Whether you’re off to college for the first time, moving into a new apartment, buying your first home, or moving into an office building, you have lots to consider when finding a moving company. Trusting a moving professional to move your personal or professional items is a big responsibility and a decision you shouldn’t make lightly. To further assist you, we’ve compiled a list of ten essential questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line and handing over your boxes.

1. Do You Have Insurance Coverage?

Any professional contractor should always have insurance, especially a professional moving company. Why is that? Well, first of all, these contractors handle your precious belongings, furniture, clothes, fragile items, books you’ve had for years, and more. Regardless of how careful they may be, accidents can happen. Once the moving truck hits the road, an unexpected accident can easily break your items. Things may be lost or stolen during all the hustle of loading and unloading. With that said, you want to ensure the moving company has insurance to cover your belongings if anything happens during the move. It’s yet another benefit of hiring professionals in the first place. If you move your items on your own and they get lost or stolen in transit, you’ll have to eat that loss.

2. How Long Have You Been in Business?

While every company and contractor has to start somewhere, there’s nothing wrong with preferring a moving company with experience handling your move. Plus, the more experience they have, the easier it’ll be to find reviews and referrals for them. If you’re going to trust them to move all your vital items, then you want someone who knows what they’re doing. The more experience they have, the more likely they can handle any issues or delays that occur.

3. Are Your Movers Trained and Certified?

Knowing how to move residential or commercial items is an important skill. So when you bring on a moving company, you want to ensure all their workers know what they’re doing. They should have the right training and certification to handle the job right. Movers should have experience and knowledge of how to lift and unload stuff so that they don’t hurt themselves or break your items. In the case of an intercity or state move, you want to ensure drivers know how to handle moving such a long distance.

4. What Type of Services Do You Provide?

Many local movers have various services to consider. Before you hire a moving company, think about the specific services you need, so that you don’t have to hire different people for your move. For example, if you need help with packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading, find a moving contractor that offers all of those services to make your life easier. Some movers even offer storage. You don’t want to hire a company and sign the contract only to realize they don’t offer half the things you need.

5. Do You Have Additional Protection for Fragile Items?

Imagine having a beautiful china set or crystal glasses you’ve collected over the years, only to open up your moving box at your new house and see that everything is broken! This situation is what happens when fragile items aren’t handled properly. So ask the potential moving contractor how often they’ve handled fragile items and if they have special storage ways to handle them.

6. Are There Additional Costs for Specific Services?

Be prepared to spend money when you move, even if you have a few items. Think about all the services you’re requesting from your mover. Don’t assume that packing or unloading automatically comes in the original quote. Ask for an itemized list of expenses to know how much your moving budget will be. You can ask if they charge more to move on the weekend or if they charge more for heavier boxes. Will handling fragile items cost more? What does it cost to disassemble and reassemble a bed? Whatever services you need, know what’s included in a flat rate and what’s a separate cost.

7. Do You Provide Boxes and Packing Materials?

Some movers provide all the necessary packing supplies from boxes to tape or bubble wrap and packing peanuts. However, other movers will assume you’ll pack your things and have the necessary supplies. Even if you’re interested in the mover supplying packing supplies, you may also want to get a quote for that first, in case of an additional cost that goes over your moving budget.

8. How Long Will the Move Take?

The length of your move can vary based on how many items are in transit, the size of the boxes, the moving area, and how far your boxes are going. For example, if your items go into another city or state, they may not reach their destination for several days or a week. If that is the case, then plan for what items you can keep with you and what you’re comfortable sending ahead and being without for a long time. If you need your items to arrive at your new residence by a specific time, discuss that with the potential mover.

9. What Do Other Customers Say?

This question may seem like you’re putting the moving company on the spot, but it’s certainly something you need to know. While you should certainly check out reviews on your own, asking a company this question is a great way to see if they’re forthcoming about their client relationships. A company with several bad reviews or lost customers may not be willing to discuss that topic. However, a company with high ratings and several-star reviews will be eager to direct you to online reviews and referrals.

10. What Is Your Preferred Communication Style?

Before you hire a local moving company, you should feel confident they can communicate well. The last thing you need is a contractor you can never get hold of, especially once your items are on the road. Plus, if you have a problem once your move is complete, you want to feel confident that somebody will respond to your inquiries. Make sure you have a working telephone number for them. They should also have a company e-mail, so test it out to see how quickly they respond. Some businesses also use WhatsApp or even have proprietary company apps for communication.

As mentioned, moving, whether it’s your first time or one of several moves, takes a lot of work and research. Any reputable local mover will be willing to answer all the above questions and any others you have. When you trust your lifetime of items to a mover, you want to feel good that everything is in good hands and will be handled with the utmost care and concern. When it’s time for you to pick up and move, let Olympia Moving and Storage know! Don’t hesitate to contact our expert moving company at any time. We’ll be more than happy to assist you and answer all your questions.

Moving Scam Red Flags

When it’s time to move, it often does not occur to families that a moving company might scam them. Unfortunately, due to the low barriers of entry to the industry, there are disreputable and illegal movers out there, and even a few trying to actively cheat customers. When selecting a mover, there are a few things that you need to be vigilant of. Keep an eye out for these red flags and you should be able to find a mover you can trust & love!

Unprofessional customer service, or phone etiquette.

This is a red flag from the moment you call. When you call a prospective moving company and the customer service is anything but professional it might be time to do some more research. Customer service is the corner stone to a wonderful move. It starts and ends with customer service representatives.  If there is no answer when you call, and there is no professional voicemail, this could raise concern as well.

No interest in on-site survey inspections or written estimates.

Professional movers will be able to gage if they need to come onsite to see your home to give you the most accurate estimate they possibly can. When the customer service representative speaks with you they will determine the best course of action. Sometimes for smaller moves an over the phone survey will suffice, but in a larger move a professional mover should always come out to survey the property.  Even if the survey is over the phone, it is a red flag if the representative isn’t reviewing an inventory with you or asking detailed questions. Movers that quote a price over the phone without any interest in learning more about what you’re moving should be avoided. You should only choose a mover if they will provide you with a written estimate.

The website isn’t professionally made or doesn’t have a lot of information

A proper moving website should provide you with an abundance of information on the services they provide. A good mover is well aware that the customer will do a great deal of research before selecting a mover. With that being said, a proper moving company will provide you with information on contacts, locations, addresses of their offices and warehouses, and reviews from their customers. The contact information for the moving company should be plastered everywhere on the website, a good moving company will want you to call!

If the mover wants a large down payment before services or only allows cash

When moving companies want cash upfront before they provide any services a red flag should be raised. It is not likely a legitimate mover will ask for more than a deposit upfront when booking a move. When it comes to form of payment, if the mover only allows cash, this is also a signal that their operation might not be completely licensed and legal.

Negative news articles

A simple google search of the company can be quite revealing. If the results are littered with negative press, news and government investigations, and consumer complaint websites, this is definitely a company to avoid.

Need a moving estimate from a company you can trust? Get started by requesting a free estimate online, or give us a call at 800-222-4744.

Questions To Ask A Moving Company

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Either during your in-home survey or over the phone, taking the time to thoroughly discuss your move with a potential moving company is the key to accurate pricing and a successful move. After all, the company will be coming into your home and handling everything you own, so it’s important to find a company you feel comfortable with, especially since there are unfortunately bad or rogue moving companies providing poor service.

When you’re discussing your move, be sure to ask questions about the company. How the company answers will tell you a lot about the quality of the moving company you are considering.

Olympia Moving & Storage compiled a list of questions to ask a moving company that can help you navigate through the mover selection process. By asking the following questions you can select a mover that will treat you and your home with respect.

Questions About Moving Costs

This is probably where customers have the most concern. Always make sure you get a written moving estimate for the costs of your move. Here are some questions that are good to clarify about the quote:

  • Are supplies such as mattress covers, extra boxes, tape, and moving blankets included in my quote? How much do they cost?
  • Is this a binding or non-binding moving estimate?
  • What insurance is included? How much does it cost for additional insurance?
  • If a deposit is required, is it refundable?
  • What forms of payment are accepted?  (A company that only accepts cash is a red flag!)
  • What are factors that could change the cost of the move? Would changing my move date affect the estiamted cost?

Questions About Moving Pick Up and Deliver Times

  • If the company charges an hourly rate ask, when does the chargeable time begin and end? Is travel time included in my estimate?
  • If the company does not charge by the hour, how long does the company anticipate being there each day?
  • Will my delivery be on a specific day or a delivery spread?
  • What happens if I’m not available to receive my delivery?

Questions to Ask About the Moving Service

About the Moving Company

  • Who will be my point of contact leading up to and during move day?
  • Are your movers trained and background checked? Are they on the company payroll or hired from a third-party or day labor?
  • Is your company licensed and an AMSA ProMover?
  • If needed, could your company provide a Certificate of Insurance?
  • Can you provide me with references from previous clients?
  • What makes you different from other moving companies? Why should I choose your company?

Asking these questions will give you the confidence you need to know you are choosing a great moving company to take care of your relocation!

If you are looking for an exceptional moving company for your upcoming move, contact Olympia Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate at 800-222-4744 or request an estimate online.  We are happy to answer any of your questions about the company and service!

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Introducing The Video Move Survey

cd14221f-bb58-47f2-9105-50b0ddbe876fSo you’ve made the decision to relocate. You’re doing your due diligence by getting estimates on what it’s going to cost to move. Let’s be serious, you’re busy. You don’t have time to put your life on hold to plan your relocation.

Olympia Moving & Storage knows that, so we made move planning easier with the option of getting a free moving estimate via video surveys. If you can’t change your schedule and turning your week upside down to meet with one of our moving consultants in-person, we can easily connect with you at your convenience and do a move planning walk through with just a few clicks on your phone or tablet.

As a premier moving company, Olympia Moving & Storage is always looking for ways to reach our customers in innovative and creative ways and what better way than to make your survey fit more easily into your schedule?

Sounds hard? Think again. If you opt for the video move survey option to inventory your home it’s as easy as a Facetime:

1. Intro call with an Olympia moving consultant to get an idea of the nature and specifics of your relocation
2. Our moving consultant will offer to review your move and belongings in person at your home, on the phone, or through a video survey Olympia
3. The Olympia consultant sends you an email invite to your video move survey via a link
4. You download the Crater app & connect with your Olympia consultant
5. Your Olympia Moving consultant will guide you through the walk through to discuss the specifics of what you’ll be moving

The other option for those interested in a video move survey option is to request your video survey directly from olympiamoving.com. Use the request an estimate form in the right-hand header of this page and click “request a video move survey” to schedule a video survey for a time that is convenient for you.

1. Choose your home type apartment video estimate
a. (studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom)
    b. single family home
2. Preferred date of video survey
3. Preferred time of video survey
4. Some basic contact information so we can contact you
5. The option to add the video move survey to your personal email calendar

The video move survey option gives you the freedom to get your move-specific estimate at your convenience instead of re-arranging your life to meet with a sales representative. The best part is that the entire survey is recorded and saved, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything – you can easily review your survey and inventory afterward.

In the event that you aren’t able to set a time that works with both you and your salesperson, you can also do a self-survey that will also be saved and accessible by both you and your salesperson. Getting an estimate has never been easier!

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Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews: Client Satisfaction 2015

Olympia Moving Customer

Olympia Moving & Storage moved almost 5,000 families in 2015, and our clients continually review Olympia Moving via client satisfaction surveys they receive after their move. These reviews help our leadership and staff carefully track our quality quickly respond to outstanding issues. Here’s how Olympia Moving & Storage performed in 2015 as reviewed by our clients.

Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews 2015 Results

Click here to view the full report.

Highlights from the 2015 report

  • 94% of our clients were satisfied with their sales representative
  • 94% of our clients were satisfied with their move coordinator
  • 95% of our clients were satisfied with their crew
  • 97% of our clients said our staff and crew was professional and courteous
  • 94% of our clients would hire us again for their next relocation

The Olympia Moving team is proud of the consistently high scores we receive from our clients. It’s no secret that the moving industry has a reputation for inconsistent or sub-par customer service, but our clients’ satisfaction with Olympia Moving far exceeds not only the moving industry’s standards for customer service, but most service industries’ standards. Moving is a challenging service to provide. Olympia Moving goes into clients’ homes and handles their precious possessions under sometimes emotional, stressful, and overwhelming circumstances where a lot can go wrong. Despite these obstacles, our clients’ satisfaction with their moving services with Olympia Moving is exceptional.

How Olympia Moving Uses the Client Satisfaction Survey

Our clients’ satisfaction is the result of the Olympia Moving team’s hard work and dedication and our leadership’s commitment to constantly challenge mediocrity. The client satisfaction survey is just one part part of Olympia’s Total Quality Management program. Olympia’s managers meet to review the results of the client satisfaction survey and implement action steps to improve our weaknesses. The client satisfaction scores are also analyzed by employee to inform training and personnel decisions. The moment new Olympia Moving and Storage reviews are received from a client, they are immediately disseminated among all staff and crew members involved in the move and their managers, either to boost morale or resolve outstanding issues.

In addition to our clients feedback in these reports, you can also read out recent clients’ comments about their experience on our testimonials page, or view our ratings on review websites such as the Better Business Bureau, Google+, Angie’s List, and Yelp.

If you’re ready to move with a well-reviewed Boston or Washington, DC moving company, click here to request an estimate, or give us a call at 800.222.4744.

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Non-Binding Moving Estimates vs. Binding Moving Estimates

EstimatesSo you’re almost ready to hire a moving company! You’ve done your research, 2-3 companies have met with you to perform a pre-move survey, and now these reputable movers have sent you itemized moving estimates. As you compare these companies’ move plans, proposed services, and the bottom lines, be sure you’re clear on which of the three kinds of moving estimates you are reviewing: a non-binding moving estimate, a binding moving estimate, or a not-to-exceed moving estimate.

So what are the differences between these three types of interstate moving estimates?

Non-Binding Moving Estimate

The non-binding moving estimate is the most common kind of interstate estimate. It means that the price that is presented to you is a projected cost for your move, provided to help you anticipate the cost, select a company, and plan a budget. It is not a contracted or guaranteed price, it is simply what the company thinks the final price of your move will be based on the inventory and services you discussed. If the actual services end up totaling less than your estimate, then you will pay less than the estimated price. If the actual services end up totaling a little more than your estimate, then you will pay a little more.

If you’re looking to pay the lowest price for your move, a non-binding estimate is your best choice, as your final bill can potentially be lower than estimated.

Most interstate move estimates are non-binding. The main components of the interstate estimate are the weight of your move and number of packing materials. The company will estimate what your total weight will be based on the inventory they created with you. After everything is loaded, the truck will be weighed to determine the actual weight. If the actual weight and materials used are less than estimated, then you will pay less. If the actual weight and materials used are more than estimated, then you will pay a little more.

A common question about non-binding estimates is whether the client can expect their moving estimate to be accurate. The answer is, absolutely! As long as what you end up moving and packing is what was agreed on the estimated inventory, the estimate should be very accurate. Estimate accuracy plays a large role in a client’s satisfaction, so every reputable moving company strives to provide the most accurate estimate possible, otherwise they risk losing their good reputation and future business!

Also keep in mind that an interstate moving company cannot require you to pay more than 110% more than a non-binding estimate prior to interstate delivery, and the client is not obligated to pay any charges exceeding 110% until 30 days after delivery. So it is certainly in the company’s interest to be accurate.

Binding Moving Estimate

A binding moving estimate may sometimes be quoted for an interstate move. A binding estimate means that you must pay the transportation price listed in the estimate, even if the final weight of your move is more or less than estimated.

The benefit of the binding moving estimate is that the transportation price is guaranteed, so you know exactly what your bill will be after the move. However, binding estimates may result in the client paying a little more for that guarantee. You may notice that the majority of binding estimates have a higher bottom line than non-binding estimates.

Keep in mind that for most binding estimates only the transportation part of the estimate is binding (the bulk of the estimate, which is based on the shipment’s weight). For example, if your binding estimate was based on self pack, the client packing everything, but then on move day you choose to have the moving company pack everything, then the packing was an additional service you requested and will be added on top of the binding transportation cost on the final bill.

Local Moving Estimate

Almost every local move estimate is a non-binding estimate, it is very rare for a local move estimate to be binding or not-to-exceed. The main components of local estimates are an hourly rate for the labor and truck plus the packing materials used. Therefore, for a non-binding estimate, you will pay less if the actual move requires less time and materials than estimated, and conversely, you will pay a little more if the actual move requires more time and materials than estimated.

Are you ready to get your interstate moving estimate? Call Olympia Moving & Storage at 800.222.4744 or fill out the estimate request form. Olympia moved families to every state in the USA last year!

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Why is a Moving Company In-Home Survey Important?

After you’ve done your research and selected a few moving companies you want to pursue, the next step is to call the company to schedule a moving company in-home survey appointment. We’ll review what an in-home survey appointment is, and why it’s important to have one before you select a moving company.

What should I expect during the in-home survey?

During the in-home survey, a representative from the moving company will visit your home. Together you will do a walk through of the property so the representative can take an inventory of what needs to be moved. The inventory is the key to estimating your moving costs, click here to learn more about inventories.

After the survey, you and the representative will discuss which services are required, the move plan, pricing, and any of your questions. The in-home survey usually takes about 25-45 minutes depending on the size of your property and how many questions you have.

What is the purpose of an in-home survey?

Every move is unique, but the factors of every move are the same: what needs to be moved, what are the specifications of the locations of the move, and what do you need from your mover. These are the basics that the moving company needs to plan the move and provide you with an estimated price. Without this information, the company has no idea how many crew members and trucks to send, what equipment to bring, how long the move will take, and which services you need. The best and most accurate way to obtain this information is to meet with you in your home.

How does an in-home survey benefit me?

Most importantly, an in-home survey is the best way to get the most accurate estimate of costs, bar none. The in-home survey is also your opportunity to interview and get to know the moving company. It’s also the perfect time to ask the moving company all your questions and better understand the moving process. Many of our clients say that the in-home survey experience is the reason they choose Olympia!

What should I be evaluating during the in-home survey?

Throughout the survey, ask yourself:

  • Did the representative arrive on time?
  • Is the representative dressed professionally?
  • Do you feel comfortable and trust the company’s representative?
  • Is the presented move plan comprehensive and specific to your move?
  • Is the representative able to confidently and expertly answer your questions?

When is it okay to do a phone survey?

The process for a phone survey is exactly like an in-home survey, except you will list the furniture room by room over the phone with the guidance of the representative. If you have a smaller move, such as a two bedroom apartment or less, the moving company can do a very accurate survey over the phone instead of in your home. However, if you request to do an in-home survey instead, we are happy to oblige.

If your home is larger than a two bedroom apartment, it is much more difficult to create an accurate inventory over the phone, so the in-home survey is highly recommended.

What if the moving company will not do a survey?

There are some red flags to watch for when asking for a survey. Do not hire a moving company if:

  • The company quotes you a price without a taking a detailed inventory or going through the move details with you. This means they don’t have enough information to quote you a price, therefore, they probably are not quoting you an accurate price.
  • The company wants to do a phone survey for single family home or large move. This means they do not want to take the time that is necessary to gather the information needed for an accurate quote.
  • The company refuses your request for a representative to meet with you for an in-home survey. This means they do not have a representative available to meet with you who would be a good reflection on the company.

How should I prepare for the in-home survey?

For the most part, the representative will guide you through the survey process. However, the more clarity you have on what the move entails, the more productive the survey will be. Make sure you know:

  • Which pieces are being moved
  • What you are selling or donating before the move
  • Whether you’re moving anything yourself
  • What the movers are packing vs. what your family is packing
  • Have a short list of questions for your mover to help you make a decision

When should I schedule the in-home survey?

As soon as you know what you want to move and when you’re moving, you’re ready to schedule your in-home survey. This is usually right after you sell or purchase your home, and preferably about 3-4 weeks before your preferred move date.

Looking for more information on choosing a mover? Be sure to check out:
Choosing a Better Business Bureau Moving Company
What is a Cube Sheet?
Tips for Cleaning Out Belongings Before a Move

Are you ready for your in-home estimate?
Request an estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage

Choosing a Better Business Bureau Moving Company

Olympia Moving Better Business BureauToday there are dozens of websites that allow consumers to rate their moving company. However, decades before Angie’s List or MovingCompanyReviews.com existed, consumers turned to the Better Business Bureau to learn more about the companies they were working with.

Olympia Moving & Storage has been accredited as a Better Business Bureau moving company since the inception of our business, and we are proud of our A+ rating. However, what exactly does an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau mean?

About the Better Business Bureau moving company ratings

The main purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to make consumers aware of unethical or dishonest companies and assist consumers with disputes against businesses. There are 17 factors that go into a company’s Better Business Bureau rating, but the bulk of the rating is based on complaints against the business filed with the Better Business Bureau and how the company responds to these complaints. Therefore, it is our experience that a Better Business Bureau rating is an indicator of a company’s honesty, ethics, and legitimacy.

We’ve all heard those horror stories of dishonest moving companies in the news. Often these stories include information about the company’s very low Better Business Bureau rating. For examplem, this Boston news story about a moving company holding families’ furniture hostage cites the company’s “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau. I’m sure those families wished they had checked out their moving company on the BBB! It is an easy way to help gauge the honesty of the company you are about the hire.

About Better Business Bureau moving company reviews

To be completely honest, it is not difficult for a moving company to obtain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. There are many moving companies with an A+ rating that we would not consider anywhere near the caliber of Olympia Moving & Storage. The Better Business Bureau recently also began incorporating online reviews into business’s profiles. These reviews are actually separate from a company’s BBB rating, but are a great indicator of the quality of the company. Olympia currently has a 5 star review rating with the Better Business Bureau. We suggest looking at the customer reviews in conjunction with the BBB rating to help you choose your moving company.

What Better Business Bureau accreditation means to Olympia Moving & Storage

The Better Business Bureau recently interviewed Rachael Fischer, Marketing Manager of Olympia Moving & Storage, about why Better Business Bureau accreditation is important. You can watch a video of the interview below:

You can see Olympia Moving & Storage’s Better Business Bureau profiles here:
Boston BBB profile | Washington DC BBB profile

Still need help choosing a mover? You might also want to read:

What is a Moving Broker?
Warning Signs of a Bad Mover

If you’re ready to get an estimate from an A+ rated moving company, request a free moving estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage.

What is a Cube Sheet?

InventoryWhen you call a reputable moving company, they’ll work with you to create a cube sheet (also known as an estimated inventory) for your move. A cube sheet is a list of all the furniture and boxes that you plan on including in your move.

In this article, we’ll explain what a cube sheet is, what it’s used for, and how to read one.

Creating the Cube Sheet

For most Olympia clients, the cube sheet will be created when the the sales consultant meets you at your home for the survey. He’ll do a walk through of your home, consulting you throughout on what you plan on moving. Meanwhile, the consultant will enter all your furniture and estimated number of boxes into his or her tablet. Our sales consultants can enter the information into their tablets extremely quickly using specialized moving software.

For smaller moves, such as one bedroom apartments, the sales consultant can complete the estimated inventory by going room by room with you over the phone and discussing what needs to be moved. Our sales consultants are all trained to ask the right questions to guide you through the process and ensure that we have the level of detail needed to provide you with an accurate quote.

Depending on the size of your home and complexity of your move, it can take 10 to 45 minutes for the consultant to put together the cube sheet live on site.

Our moving software contains hundreds of types, sizes, and variations of furniture pieces and boxes. So when the sales consultant adds a furniture piece to your inventory, the software knows what the average cubic feet is for that furniture piece. The software then produces a document with the subtotals and totals of cubic feet for your move. The total cubic footage is the main piece of information the sales consultant will use to plan and estimate the cost for your move.

When the walk through is finished, the sales consultant will produce the estimated inventory. This is called a cube sheet within the moving inventory because essentially what needs to be determined is the volume, or cubic feet, of all the items that need to be moved. This information is used to determine how many trucks and crew members are required for the job, and if it’s an interstate move, what is the estimated weight of the move.

Reading a Cube Sheet

Click here to see what a sample cube sheet looks like. To make it clear for the consultant and client to read, the inventory is divided by room. There are three columns. The first column is the quantity of the item, or how many of each item is in that room. The second column is the description of the item. The third column is the estimated volume, or cubic feet, of that furniture item.

The cube sheet also contains information on packing. Some boxes will say “PBO” in the description, which means “packed by owner.” That means that we are entering the box so that it’s included in the total cubic footage, but the client plans on packing the box themselves. Others will say “CP” in the carrier description, which means “carrier pack.” That means that Olympia will be providing and packing that box. A container summary at the bottom of the inventory will list all the boxes Olympia will be packing and providing for your reference.

The estimated inventory is provided to you along with the quote for your reference. Olympia recommends that all our clients check over the inventory to ensure that it’s fairly accurate. Remember, this is what your sales consultant is basing their estimate on, so if the inventory is inaccurate, that means the sales consultant didn’t have the correct information for your quote. Being on the same page as our clients for what’s being moved is important to Olympia, that’s why we take the time to create the estimated inventory with you, and give it to you for your reference. If anything changes between the time of survey and your move, be sure to let the sales consultant know so he can adjust your estimate accordingly. Major changes such as adding or removing large furniture pieces or many boxes can make a difference in our planning for your smooth move.

Do I Need a Cube Sheet?

If a moving company refuses to put together a cube sheet or estimated inventory to plan your move, that is a red flag that you are not working with a reputable company. A good moving company will take the time to understand and plan your move before providing you with a moving quote.

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