People keep saying that moving is stressful, no matter if you are hiring local movers or not. When it comes to hiring professional movers, many people are scared of the fact that they have to open the door and invite strangers to tamper with their personal belongings. And when you put it like that, it might seem like a bad idea. But thankfully, there are numerous movers Chicago has to offer, so you can always find a company that is trustworthy and that can perform the work as you wish. To find reliable local movers, you will have to have proper preparation for calling them to get the quotes. Since hiring furniture movers is the first milestone when moving, you will save a lot of time and nerves if you follow our short guide with the list of questions for local movers before hiring them. If you are aware of the reputation local movers have, you will understand why should you prepare a lot of questions for your potential team so you can learn more about them. Feel free to add more questions to this list, if you think that your move requires them, these are just the base!
Are you licensed?
The most important information to gather from your local movers is whether they are licensed or not. If you choose professional movers that are not licensed, you are risking a lot. If you are not sure if your furniture movers are licensed or not, you can always ask them for a PUC number to prove it. Why it is important to have licensed local movies? Because you will be protected by the BBB if something goes wrong and your local movers are not there to help you out. It is always better to be safe than sorry, right?
How long are you in business?
When it comes to hiring local movers, you want them to be experienced. That way, you will be sure that your belongings will be safe and sound, no matter how complex your move might be. The longer your professional movers are in business – the safer your move will be. Once you ask this, also make sure to check if they are offering training sessions for their local movers and if they are doing background checks of their employees before hiring them. We must say, you can never be too cautious when hiring furniture movers.
Is the insurance included?
So you can avoid any unpleasant surprises on a moving day, check with your local movers if the basic coverage insurance is included in the price. You want to be sure that in case something gets damaged, that you can count on your local movers to help you with finding the best resolution. In most cases, movers Chicago are offering basic coverage insurance, which is usually 30 cents per pound. This is regulated by the states. And most of the furniture movers will be fine with you purchasing additional insurance, so if you have something too valuable for you – you should invest in this.
Are there any hidden charges?
When it comes to planning a local move, the most important thing to think about is planning the moving budget. That is why you want to have a team of local movers who are transparent when it comes to the price. It is okay if your local movers have additional charges, but you should be aware of them before the moving day. Once on the phone, your local movers should explain what services are included in the price and what is not included in the base price. Only after you learn everything about the price, you should determine if you want to use those local movers or not.
Once you book your professional movers, you should read carefully the confirmation email to learn if there are some hidden or additional charges that are not mentioned to you when you were getting a quote. If your local movers try to charge you something extra on a moving day, you can always refuse to pay if that charge is not stated anywhere and if you haven’t agreed on paying it.
Is the price guaranteed?
One of the main reasons why local movers don’t have the best reputation is that they are offering one price and then you find out that that price is not guaranteed. Of course, your professional movers have every right to let you know that the price is changed if you are asking for additional services or if you add a bunch of items more. But once you lay down the deposit and you don’t change anything in the meantime – the price should remain the same. Local movers might guarantee the price even when you get the quote for the next 24 or 48 hours. Luckily for you, movers Chicago has to offer are following certain rules that are set by the state and in most cases – they have the same rates for a certain period. The price is always the same during the season and out of the season. But, not all of the local movers are licensed, so make sure to check this.
Is there any price difference between different days?
Speaking of the price… Some local movers might be offering some discounts when you are moving on the weekdays. And this might be a good option for those who are flexible with the moving date. If you are moving on the budget, this is always one of the most important questions to ask your local movers, because you might be able to save. After all, it doesn’t cost you to ask!
What types of services can you offer?
Now, let’s talk about services local movers can offer. Moving industry is not as simple as you might think. There are different types of moving services, and therefore there are different local movers out there. Not all of the local movers can help you with everything. That is why it is important to know what your moving needs are. Before calling professional movers, make sure to write down everything that you might need them to do for you. Also, gather the information about your home – such as square footage, restrictions, are there any building requirements your local movers have to meet, and so on.
This will speed up the whole process and your local movers will be able to tell you immediately if they can help you with the type of move you are looking forward to having or not. This question should probably be one of the first questions you ask your furniture movers because nothing else matters if they cannot do the service that you want them to.
Is there something that you cannot move for me?
Local movers always have some restrictions, whether when it comes to the weight of the items or with how fragile they are. And you will need to learn everything about it before hiring your local movers, so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises on a moving day. This is especially important if you have some furniture pieces that are heavier than 350-450 lbs. Also, always check this with your local movers if you have something unusual, such as a piano, a pool table, a fountain, a safe, or anything of that sort. But, you get the point. Your professional movers should always say if they cannot move something rather than trying to handle your items, that might lead to any damages.
Can you help me with packing?
If you would rather enjoy yourself with your friends and family than packing your belongings, you will have to check with your local movers if they can help you with packing. Since this is not a standard service local movers are offering, you will have to check with them if it is possible for them to help you with it and also, what would be the additional charge for it. In most cases, professional movers are not charging a flat rate for packing, but it will take more time than performing only moving service. Also, check with your local movers if they can bring their packing supplies, and if so, how much do they charge for those. Don’t forget to ask your professional movers if they can use your packing boxes if you already have them.
Do I need to lay down the deposit?
Usually, the answer to this question is positive, but you want to learn how much do you need to lay down and if your deposit will be applied towards the final bill. Also, you want to learn about how can you lay down the deposit – is it via credit card or debit card only, and if you can change your mind and use the other card on a moving day.
What is your cancellation policy?
So you don’t lose the deposit, learn from your local movers everything about the cancellation policy they have. You can’t cancel or reschedule your services with local movers without proper notice. Bear in mind that most of the moving companies are family-owned businesses and they appreciate it when you let them know ahead of time about any changes on your reservation that you would like to make, so they can plan their schedule accordingly.
What payment methods do you accept?
Imagine you are planning to pay with a check and to learn that it is not possible once your local movers finish everything. Seems stressful? Well, it is. Ask your local movers what payment methods do they accept so you can plan that in advance. Especially if you have to have some cash on you.
Do I have to tip the local movers?
Now, we are getting to the most common question in the moving industry. Many people are not sure if they should tip their local movers or not. And we must say, there is no right or wrong when it comes to this, it is individual. However, you should check with your local movers what is their opinion on this. Sometimes, local movers might have included tips or they might request them, and you should know this in advance, so you can plan your moving budget. You should know this shouldn’t be the case because professional movers should be paid by the moving company they are working for, and tipping them shouldn’t be your responsibility, but your goodwill. If you decide to tip the local movers, the decision on how much to tip them should be made by you only.
What if something gets damaged?
Last, but not least – you want to learn more about the claim process your local movers have. Of course, you don’t want to think about damages at the moment when you are hiring professional movers, but it is better to learn more about it than to get surprised once something happens. Expecting that damages are not possible is pretty naive. At the end of the day, local movers are just human beings. Professional movers have procedures when it comes to the claim process, and you should know in which cases you have the right to reimbursement and how do you apply for it.
Are you looking for the best movers Chicago has to offer? You are in the right place! Professional Movers Chicago is the best local moving company on the market! From the exceptional customer support department that will help you set your move to the amazing and trained team of local movers who will make sure that your move is done in the safest possible manner. You can rely on our furniture movers to relocate everything for you safely and efficiently. Since we have provided many different types of moves, we can guarantee that we have experience with the project you are looking forward to doing. Give us a call and get your free moving quote today! We are looking forward to helping you with everything that you have imagined. We are here for you every day of the week, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us!