8 Things Your Mover Doesn't Want You to Know

Provided By House Beautiful

You're stressed. They're tough and scary. And the clock is ticking. To ensure a hassle-free move, we asked industry veteran and former co-owner of Blue Chip Moving & Storage, Jack Doody, for his advice on how to hire a reputable moving company. Here, he reveals eight common scams you need to watch out for.

Your Bill Could Be Inflated

"A disreputable mover will give you a lowball estimate. Come the move, he'll walk around your house and say, 'Oh, some of these things need to be packed.' Then he'll charge you an exorbitant amount to do it. Or he might say, 'Gee, we're going to have to take that bed apart.' And then he'll tack on another ridiculous charge," Doody explains. The lesson? Be wary of any bill that doesn't match up to your original estimate.

It's Best to Move Little Things Yourself

"If you're going to have underpaid and undervalued and sometimes inadequately screened strangers move your jewelry, you're asking for trouble," Doody cautions. Other small items, like video games, tiny electronics, and CDs, you should probably move yourself to make sure they don't get.

There Should be a Refund Policy

A reputable company shouldn't charge you if you cancel, and they should return your entire deposit. Also, never work with a mover that only accepts cash. "Remember: You can't stop cash. You can stop a credit card," says Doody.

They "Punish" Pushy Clients

Rub movers the wrong way, and they might retaliate. "If they really feel they've been abused and disrespected, they'll want to get away from the bad client and get the job done as quickly as possible. They'll wind up putting a lot more boxes in the garage than there need to be and quietly mumble, 'Let them lug 'em in the house themselves.' As an added tweak, they'll flip the boxes so you can't read the labels to see what's in them or where they go," says Doody.

Reputable Movers Are Licensed

Never hire an unlicensed mover. "Your greatest nightmare is getting hooked up with an unlicensed mover. He not only lacks liability insurance, but also workers' comp. If one of these fellows trips and falls down your steps with a heavy piece, get out your checkbook, my friend," he says.

Never Get an Estimate Over the Phone

Doody cautions against any mover who doesn't want to come to your house to do an estimate. If they want to do it over the phone, "You're going to get screwed," he says. For an accurate total, always have a representative visit in person.

They'll Overcharge for Packing Supplies

A common scam is to bill clients for items that should be included. "He'll charge you for each moving pad — pads are free, by the way — and then $4 to tape the pads to the furniture. Or they'll say certain items suddenly need special boxes. And guess what? They're $12 each," cautions Moody. Always inquire ahead of time if any packing supplies will cost extra.

You Have the Right to Halt the Job

"If you don't like the way the movers are handling your things, then be direct. Say, 'Hey, you're making me nervous.' If they're throwing stuff around or seem to be careless, you stop the job. Alert your estimator that you don't know what's going on, but he's going to have a claim for damages if things don't improve. He'll get a supervisor out there, pronto. No reputable mover wants a problem," Doody says.

Keller Williams Realty has several trusted moving companies! Call us at 972.772.7000 or email us at frontdesk552@kw.com!