My husband has finally relented and is hiring movers to move us this time around. We have always moved ourselves. I suspect the decision has come about because our moving day has been notoriously hot - two years ago when we moved it was 50 degrees with the humidity (here in SK we are used to a dry heat).
Anyway, I have quotes from three moving companies: Premier, Jays, and AMJ Campbell. What is interesting is that all the quotes came on Atlas stationary - are they all the same company?
Recommendations? What should I look for? All three quotes came within $500 of each other.
Also, my home owners insurance seems to sufficiently cover the moving - instead of paying $1000 for insurance. Thoughts on that? (I am also looking into the insurance that my credit card company may offer)
Any opinions, thoughts, suggestions would be most welcomed.
thanks
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Not sure about the companies you mentioned, but make sure they actually estimate after seeing your things. Last move I had they assured me they had it covered without coming out and it was a disaster.
Also ask about payment, when and where. Some guys are real jerks and refuse to unload until you hand over your credit card and of course the price somehow gets a bit inflated and nothing you can do while they have your furniture hostage. I learned to ask if they take a cheque as you can stop it right after they leave if you need to. You can't do that with a credit card and I can tell you that is all that got the goofs who moved me last time to get their sorry selves back here to put things in some sort of order (they basically just threw and dumped things on the unloading). I was so glad I used a cheque.
If you can ,try and get reliable references, check the better business bureau, and google to see what you can find. The last guys I had came highly recommended and I still had a bad move so it can be really hard to tell. apparently the company I used is usually good but the crew I had that day were just awful and weren't prepared at all (no tools, no dolly, truck too small, you name it). I think it really helps to schedule your move sometime in the middle of the month or on a day they aren't busy because the clowns they hired to do my move were just hired because they were busy at that time and it made it miserable for me.
I decided this time I am going to check with my AMA (CMA or whatever is in Sask) as they offer discounts with movers and seem to back the companies they do that with. I am hoping that will help. I think the discounts vary depending on the move (local or long distance). You might check if you have a membership (or it might make it worth getting one).
Also check the fine print in any and all insurance. Last time I discovered they will only replace so much per pound so it wasn't really replacement value at all. So it doesn't matter your priceless glass was broken if it only weighs a lb, you get paid for the lb. They also rarely cover fridges or freezers so if a tube of freon breaks, tough. the appliance is toast. I had piano movers move a freezer for me after they told me they had the insurance but when they broke it, gee, no insurance on that. So read everything closely.
Meanwhile, having them do the big packing (have them do the breakable stuff if nothing else) and moving really is a good idea. it just takes so much stress off and when you move in they put the beds together and you and your family can crash without being too worn out over it all. Also it's really a drag when someone like a friend or relative drops the TV and you have to say 'oh, that's okay, no big deal' when you are screaming inside.
Thanks for the info!
we don't have access to either Tippett or Campbell.
We were able to secure the quotes - so that is a good thing.
We have used both Tippett Richardson and Campbell Bros. (not AMJ Campbell -- they're different companies). Both were excellent (and I'm very picky!). The only difference was that Campbell Bros. was MUCH cheaper. The key is to get firm estimates -- where they will guarantee within 10 per cent. Some of the companies we called would not do that, so we really had no way of knowing how much it would cost in the end, something that I wasn't comfortable with, especially after hearing all the horror stories about movers.
We have used Tipptt Richardson for our moves - five times now, and have been happy with them. They may be good for you but the important thing is how well known they are because they all tend to use sub-contractors or brokers who drive for them.
We always used their insurance. On our contents we have replacement value, but some things our policy would not cover - theirs did IIRC. We didn't take much coverage as it was expensive and of course they will insure only the things they wrap. There is something here I don't recall and it has to do with what our policy didn't cover. Check out your policy or have them justify why they need to use theirs.
We took as much stuff ourselves as we could and let them do the big bulky items. We also saved our boxes from previous moves and that was a big help in reducing costs too.