Can you suggest a good moving company in or near Savannah, GA? Our last move was a disaster. Without getting into too many details, I’m afraid to get scammed again. We’re moving again in a few months to Exeter, NH, and I need to find a company. We have a lot of really very heavy furniture, so moving ourselves and renting a truck just isn’t an option. I have found some companies through internet searches, but I am really looking for personal recommendations. Thank you very much. Barbara

Answer

We won’t be able to give you any specific recommendations. If you can’t get any referrals from anyone you know, the internet would be an easy place to look for one.

To minimize your risks, you should verify the licensing and insurance of moving companies on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Follow this Link. Once on the website, you will need to click on “Licensing and Insurance” under FMCSA searches. You will then need to provide name and location of the company or its license numbers (can be found on web sites or quotes).

You can also check for membership with moving associations (although for itself it does not necessary guaranty that the company is fully licensed), and make sure you do get everything in writing, including the “Rights and responsibilities” booklet (the booklet can be found on and printed from the FMCSA website or downloaded as PDF version from their site). It explains the interstate moving process, charges and regulations.
For the booklet and additional consumer information (including tips on how to Protect Yourself From Moving Fraud visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Protect Your Move website.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

1. Pods- Basically it’s portable storage. You load them, the company will deliver them for you. To find sizes and rates, try the following link to Portable Storage listings.

2. Rental trucks- You load and unload, you drive. To find out rates and availability check the following link to Rental Trucks listings.

3. Moving company- Prices will vary depends on the company although they normally work by a pretty standard basic tariff. You can use one of the moving directories to receive several free Moving Quotes in one submission with no obligation, or directly contact Movers in your state.
For tips on better understanding the quotes that you receive and the services that they include, read the following Article.

What’s the best way to get an accurate estimate? I know sometimes people are given quotes and then it ends up being much more because of extra charges and hidden fees. How can I avoid this? Thanks. Rebecca.

Answer

You didn’t mention if you are planning an intrastate or interstate relocation (local or long-distance). In any case, get an onsite estimate- have the mover come to do a walk-through in your home. That way the mover can actually see what you need to pack, move, the access to your place, etc. The estimate will be more accurate. Also, keep in mind, on any interstate relocation movers have to do an onsite estimate unless waived in writing by you. You can also request a binding estimate (which means you are to pay the quoted amount, whether your shipment weighs more or less than the estimate, or on local move, takes more or less hours than the estimate), or a not-to-exceed estimate (which means that you will pay for either the actual weight/time or the estimate, whichever is less). Keep in mind though, that the mover can revise an original binding estimate at origin or bill you for additional items or services that you request or require.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you need any additional advice or clarifications. For additional consumer information please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Protect Your Move website.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

Do you have on your site or know of where I can get a Mover’s timeline? For example, “One month before moving, this, this and this should be done”? Thank you! Elizabeth.

Answer

The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) provides a moving resources guide, including information on how to plan your move which contains a detailed 60-day Moving Countdown Calendar that can be downloaded from their site. Follow this link to the appropriate page.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

The website contains short real-life video clips (up to 30 seconds each) showing driver errors that were recorded in a driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).

The website can be used for driver training programs and is hoped to offer CMV drivers with better understanding of common driving errors and provide tools that can take to help avoid dangerous driving situations and crashes.

To take advantage of this tool, please visit the FMCSA website. The website has a tip menu by error types, in which you can read tips, view the videos and go through a set of related questions to enhance problem solving.

* Start in well in advance before your scheduled relocation. It helps lessen the stress and allows you to be more organized.
* Make sure to use the right kind of box (small strong boxes for books, double sided boxes for china etc.). Prefessional moving boxes may avoid damage that results from the use of poor-quality packing materials. However, if you are not intending to purchase boxes, you can collect boxes discarded by stores.
* Save old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing or other items.
* Number the boxes and prepare a list with its contents so you can find things easily later when unpacking.
* Consider marking boxes by color or letter code. Instead of writing rooms (master bedroom, second bedroom, first floor bathroom etc.). Save time and mark each room by color or other code. it’s much easier for the movers when delivering than trying to figure which room is which and reading off your boxes.
* Clearly mark Fragile and Right side up.
* Many movers won’t move liquids. If yours will (or if you’re moving yourself, consider packing liquides in plastic bags (trash bags will do), to avoid spillage, staining and damage to other furniture and contents.
* Use containers that you can seal so you won’t lose anything and not trash bags that can tear.
* Leave what you are using for last and preferably take with you a bag or box with things that you might need for the first nigth or 24 hours. This will make it easier for you to settle in if you are tired of a long day and will enable you to delay unpacking for the next day.

1. Actual weight of the shipment or labor time- The final charges on interstate relocation will normally be based on the actual weight of the shipment, whether it is more or less than the estimated weight. The quote that you receive should be based on an onsite estimate (unless waived) or a list of items that you wish to move. Anything that will be added or taken off the list will affect the price. The final charges will be based on the actual weight of the items to be shipped. Be sure to check what the charge per any additional pound is, as it may be different than the basic charge the quote is calculated by. On intrastate relocations the charge is usually based on the actual time of the move with a specified minimum of hours and a travel time or truck fee that covers the driving time from the moving company’s facility to your origin address and back. Check what the minimum charge is for the hours, if the travel time is fixed or actual, what would be the charge per hour over the estimated time and what increments of time you are charged by. You may be offered a flat fee for the move, usually based on an inventory list. Make sure the quote specifically indicates that the charge is a flat fee and find out what the charge per any additional item would be.

2. Packing materials- You will usually have two options for packing: Full packing- The carrier (moving company) packs everything for you and is responsible to provide all the necessary packing materials. All the packing materials and packing labor should be included in the price. Make sure that the charge is not calculated separately for the packing charges rather than a price per pound (interstate) or price per hour (intrastate), as that means that your cost will depend on the actual use of packing materials. No packing- You are expected to pack everything yourself and the mover will usually only provide moving pads/blankets to protect your furniture. Some companies will require specific packing for certain items, such as shrink wrap for fabric, bubble for glass etc. some movers will not accept any container packing other than boxes (such as bags, totes, suitcases or plastic bins). Always be sure to read through your quotes and see if any requirements are specified as you will be charged extra by the movers for re-packing those items and for the packing materials they will provide.

3. Extra services- Such as additional insurance, storage, extra labor, taxes, fuel surcharges and processing fees. Additional services such as additional insurance coverage and storage will be added to your total cost and are probably very clear and acceptable by you. However, movers may charge you extra for stairs, elevators, bulky items, additional stops, hoisting of furniture, disassembly and reassembly of furniture etc. Always be sure to check if your quote includes any mentioning of these charges and if not be sure to get that in writing from your mover as part of your quote. In addition, other taxes and charges may apply and will normally be calculated as percentage of your total cost, such as taxes, fuel surcharges or processing fees for the use of credit cards to pay for your move. These will not always appear in your quote but should be mentioned under the terms and conditions or explanation of your quote/services.
Again, be sure to check if these are added to your price. In summery, movers may pretty much charge you for anything. Take the time to read and understand your quote, from start to finish, including all the small fine print. If anything is unclear or not specified, be sure to check with your mover.