Choosing a moving company

[daannzzz]

Mom and Pop will be selling their house (an offer has been made) and will need to move from Washington to Oregon. They will be hiring a moving company. How did you find a reputable company that you were comfortable with. I have looked online a bit and found that there is quite a bit of scamming but not lots of reviews of different companies. Thank you for any ideas.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ours have been through relocation packages and whomever the employer uses. The last one only did moved along the 95 corridor. When we get assigned our mover, I can share who it is.

Another option is Pods depending on if they have help with loading. But they could hire labor if they like. When I looked at booking Uhaul once upon a time, they has moving companies they referred to so you could hire packers and loaders if desired. Not sure if Pods does the same, but that is an option that I Hear good things about. When looking at Uhaul--I could hire at both the old home and my destination in a different state. But with a relocation package, we are abandoning that choice.

 

[PlutoPony]

Are they eligible for membership in AARP? If so I'd looking around their website and consider joining.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Make sure you use a reputable mover - United, Mayflower, etc.

Get at least 3 estimates. Make sure they are binding not to exceed. Get the additional insurance as most homeowners do NOT cover you even though you think after you move state lines.

Moving companies are expensive, but this is a case where you do not go for a deal. Of the three estimates make sure the weight is approximately the same, go for whoever you feel comfortable.

Ask for your Rights and Responsibilities brochure, or google it and read it.

Good luck, moves are stressful for everyone.

 

[daannzzz]

Thanks much. I definitely was going to suggest they use a well known company.
Mom and Dad are....thrifty so they might tend to go with who ever is the least expensive. I will send some articles about what can happen when you do that!
They are in their 80's but I don't think they joined AARP.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Thanks much. I definitely was going to suggest they use a well known company.
Mom and Dad are....thrifty so they might tend to go with who ever is the least expensive. I will send some articles about what can happen when you do that!
They are in their 80's but I don't think they joined AARP.

After working in the business for many years, please, please, do the paperwork and estimates with them. Be in the house or have a friend, anyone there that can ask questions and make sure all estimates are apples to apples.

I can not stress enough how this is not an area where your parents can use the local guy and save money. Going across state lines is very different than moving locally or within your state where you can use a cheaper company.

I have seen so many older people in distress over the years. Their whole lives stuck on a truck somewhere halfway, or with so much damage that they have to buy all new.

You can PM me anytime with questions. I try to get on to here at least every few days.

This is expensive. Make sure your parents are either aware of this or take over the estimates and payment yourself. (meaning you can ask them to let you do this for them because it is stressful, not actually pay for it for them).

Also, make sure they know what they want to take. Never put valuables in the truck and make sure you transport them yourself.

I found with older couples the need to take everything really increased the cost. For example - canned goods. They add up in weight and are expensive to move, but inexpensive to replace. Have them eat down their cupboard in the months up to the move and don't do any large stock-ups.

 

[lisah0711]

I have a parent moving from Washington to Idaho and we are using North American. My folks have used various North American movers several times in the past 20 years and have always been happy with them. Good luck!

 

[rwdavis2]

Make sure they go over the list of what is to moved with a fine tooth comb. Make sure nothing is left off that they want moved. We had a company do this to us (I never thought to look) and stuck the driver/crew with a lot of extra work.

The estimator left off things we explicitly talked about moving. No wonder they were so much cheaper than the other 2 estimates.

 

[daannzzz]

Thanks for all the help. I believe we can impress upon them to use a national company. I am also pretty sure they will understand not paying to move excess items. They are moving in with my sisters so will be extremely downsizing. They know they have to get rid of loads of stuff... ahead of time. I would love to be able to do a POD and be up there to supervise but I can't. One sister should be able to go up and assist with the interviews though.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Our packers and movers were part of our relocation package, just a PP mentioned, but when we were putting our house on the market, we called USAA (we do most of our insurance and banking through them) and they asked us if we needed a recommendation for a moving company. Have you considered calling the company that your parents' homeowners insurance is through? They might have some recommendations.

 

[Micca]

Whether they are packing themselves or having the moving co. pack, be sure each box is labeled as accurately as possible. It makes moving in much easier.
They may also find that some of their stuff doesn't need to be unboxed. When we move we usually have stuff we don't really use (but don't want to get rid of). Those things can remain boxed and stored in a closet or garage.

Be sure you parents have a "carry on" type box to take along with them in the car. It should contain all the stuff they'll need like important documents, medications, personal items. Occasionally the movers take a little longer to arrive at the destination and expected, good to have all that stuff handy.

Another little tip: Put all of the remote controls in one box. Somehow remotes have a habit of getting separated from their main units. If they are all in one place it will be easier.

 

[diznygirl]

My best tip - Dressers can have things in the drawers when they are moved, so we packed bed stuff (sheets/pillows/comforters) in the drawers. Made it so easy to make the beds that first night. We didn't have to hunt for the right box.

And definitely use a reputable national chain. I have heard stories from people who have used "less expensive" alternatives and it didn't end well.

 

[_19disnA]

I would start a new thread since the OP posted this 10 yrs ago and when many see the date, will just ignore reading the rest.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Urgently need to find a good moving company in New York. Any recommendations?

I would probably ask people around, especially those who have recently moved

Wooooaaaah, here you guys are again, the william's family.

 

[Stratman50th]

I have no problems with old threads. Sometimes there's good and timeless info.
We moved from MD to Florida using two of the large size PODs. We loaded them ourselves and had a crew unload them when we moved in. Our house wasn't finished yet so we lived in our motorhome for several months. The PODs were excellent "storage" units until we were ready to move in.
My daughter moved from Tacoma to Florida and also used one large POD. She stayed with us until she found a job and an apartment. She loaded the POD herself and used the same crew we did to move in when ready.
PODs are really good if the destination location isn't ready or available when you get there. You can find reputable companies to load and unload at both ends if you can't do it.

 

[_19disnA]

Generally, when a new conversation starts on an inactive thread it is someone's clumsy attempt to advertise their company. I think the mods deleted some of the obvious ones from this thread. One of those profiles has also been deleted.