How far in advance should you schedule your move?

Our customers often ask us "How far in advance do I need to book a moving company?"

The truth is, as soon as you possibly can. Our schedule, and that of most movers, fills up based on a number of factors. Here are a few factors to consider when scheduling your move.

• UHaul does not allow you to pick up your truck on your schedule. On busy days UHaul rentals are for 4-8 hours (NOT A FULL DAY). Thir current business practice is to call you the night before and tell you when and where to pick your truck up. This can be anywhere is a 20 mile radius at anytime between 7am and 7pm. If you are renting a truck, choose a better company like Penske or Budget.
• The last week is always the busiest of the month.
• If the month ends on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday plan your move well in advance.
• The time of the year makes a big difference. Colder weather means less people moving.
• Weather also is a factor. Often moving companies get busier when the weather is really hot or cold.
• When do the local schools and colleges let out? Most movers see an increase in business the few weeks after schools let out for summer break and then again a few weeks before they go back in session.
• Some moving companies (not 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers) charge different rates for different days or times of year.
• Waiting until the last minute to schedule your movers may mean the only moving help available is the one nobody else wanted.

Questions to ask a mover before you hire them...

So you have been putting it off but you cannot wait any longer. You are moving and you need to choose your movers. So how do you decide which moving company to pick?

While we would love for you to trust that you don't have to look any further than 4WeHelp Cincinnati Movers, we realize people will shop around. And there is nothing wrong with that. Here are a few things you should ask and don't hire a moving company that doesn't give you the right answers.

Questions to ask your movers before you hire them:

1. Are you a broker or the actually company that will move me?
   A broker is a company that charges you a fee to subcontract the work to someone else. Often they charge the real movers a fee too. This fee may be hidden but you are paying it. UHaul and many other large companies offer broker services that you should avoid if at all possible. Real movers easy to find, check your local yellow pages or Google Maps.
2. Are you members of any professional associations?
   It is relatively simple to buy an old UHaul truck, get a cell phone number, put an ad on Craigslist and call yourself a mover. One of the hardest things to do is join a professional moving organization if you aren't really professional movers. Organizations like the AMLPA and AMSA verify and certify their members. Cheap movers, the ones you don't want in your home won't meet their standards and can never be a member.
3. Do you give binding estimates?
   A company that only gives you non-binding estimates is a BIG red flag. A non-binding estimate means they can change the price when your move is over. Always request a guaranteed price before your move and in writing. Never sign an estimate that isn't completely filled out and never feel pressured for a decision. A real moving company's price should be the same whether you decide tonight or tomorrow.
4. Will you send someone to survey my move?
   This means they physically send someone to your home to look over your move and get an exact idea of what is involved. Movers do this for a few reasons. It helps eliminate surprises which keeps the customer happy and protects their reputation. It allows them to quote a fair and accurate price. A real mover makes their estimate based on how hard your move will be, how much your items will way, how much space they will take up and how long it will take to move everything. Anything done online or over the phone is just a guess. Doesn't your family and their belongings deserve better?
5. Is your company licensed and insured?
   Cheap movers are cheap for a reason. They skip on permits, workers compensation, and licenses established by your state's government to protect you. Licensing have to be approved and renewed every year. Insurance premiums have to be paid up or the policy will lapse. Of course they claim to have all this but the documents may no longer be valid. Again, this is where members of a professional organization like the AMLPA make a difference. If a moving company doesn't have these, odds are when you have a problem they just disappear and you are left with no recourse.
6. Do you offer different levels of service?
   Many moving companies offer different levels of service to fit different budgets. Some customers prefer to pack theit boxes themselves and get those boxes from the grocery store. Other customers are willing to pay more for a company that provides packing services using professional moving boxes. Still other customers may want help unpacking and organizing too. Decide which is for you and make sure thats included in your quote.
7. Where can I get references?
   Ratings online are easy to fake. Websites like the Better Business Bureau give companies who pay a membership fee the highest ratings. Websites run by truck rental companies let anyone join and don't verify their claims are honest and factual. Any company can give you the phone numbers of friends or families and pretend they are former customers. Unless you are members of a paid service like Angie's List, it is hard to trust references these days. Check with any government run websites that may regulate movers in your state (like http://www.puco.ohio.gov in Ohio). The best way to find good references is to ask people you trust like friends and family.

Moving can be stressful but being comfortable with your movers and the service they provide is a good way to have a great move.

Emergeny Moving Service - WE FIX BAD MOVES

Even during the slow winter season we receive a few calls every month that start out like this...

"I hired some movers off Craigslist because they advertised how cheap they were. They haven't shown up and I have to be out of my apartment today. Is there anyway you can help me?"

Of course the story changes somewhat but the situation doesn't. Whether is is your help didn't show and they did show but you are afraid to let them near your family, We fix the problems caused by cheap movers!

We realize with the bad economy everyone tries to save money anywhere they can.

We know that it will cost you more in the long run to hire cheap labor but you have to try.

We understand nothing we can say is going to keep people from hiring illegal workers and cheap movers.

So when you have that nightmare situation call us. WE FIX BAD MOVES!

We offer emergency service throughout Cincinnati. Our emergency moving service will have real, uniformed and insured movers at your door in 3 hours or less. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For full details about our emergency moving service go to our website at http://www.4wehelp.com/emergency-moving-service/