All Topics > Real Estate Resources > Moving > Hiring Professional Movers > Working with Professional Movers >

Working with Professional Movers California

Even if you are using professional movers, you are not off the hook in preparing for moving day.

Local Companies

Service West
(650) 827-1580
100 East Grand Ave.
So. San Francisco, CA

AllStore Center
(650) 873-8020
345 Shaw Rd.
So. San Francisco, CA

TORREZ TRUCKING, INCORPORATED
(714) 572-3008
190 W. Crowther Ave, #B
PLACENTIA, CA

Derrel's Mini Storage, Inc.
(559) 440-1657
1191 E Nees Ave
Fresno, CA

Empire Storage
(559) 277-5250
5695 W. Bullard
Fresno, CA

Original Gangsta
031-555-5577
kiss my ass
Compton, CA

Emerald Moving & Storage Inc
(415) 647-9300
974 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA

Carty Moving and Storage
(415) 831-8301
3132 24th St
San Francisco, CA

Savon Moving And Storage
(951) 371-8870
341 Bonnie Circle #103
Riverside, CA

Zummos Moving
(619) 284-2799
1101 Corrales Ln
Chula Vista, CA

provided by:

Using professional movers can seem like a dream come true. Movers come to your house, pack your belongings, and move them to your new home for you. What could be better? But a smooth move requires you to be prepared as well.

Here are some tips to help you get ready for the big day when dealing with professional movers.

Selecting the right professional movers
With so many options in moving companies, it can be very daunting when choosing with whom to work. Take your time with this important decision. Interview any potential professional movers; you probably want to interview a minimum of three. Be sure to find out the following.

How long has the company been in business?
Does the moving company have references? Follow up and actually call the references.
Does the company have any complaints lodged against it?
Are these professional movers able/willing to move everything? Will they move the piano and the pool table?

Check with your friends, neighbors, and even real estate agent for recommendations for professional movers.

How to prepare for the big day
If you want your move to go smoothly, there is a lot of prep that you need to do. Even if the professional movers are packing all of your belongings, you still need to prepare so that the move is fast and efficient. This can save you money.

Know the price before hand. Get the cost of the move in writing before the moving begins. Stories of professional movers holding people’s possessions at ransom are frightening and true.
Save money and time by packing as much as you can beforehand. While this may seem obvious, you can really waste time and money if the professional movers show up and you are still packing boxes. If the movers aren’t packing for you, have everything boxed, labeled and ready to go.
If the professional movers are packing your belongings, remember to pack your valuables yourself. For example, don’t let the movers pack jewelry or a valuable coin collection. Be on the safe side and pack and transport these items yourself.
Also, don’t leave valuables lying around. A camcorder, digital camera, or money can easily be pocketed. If you want to take pictures of the move or final pictures of your old house, keep the camera close to you.
Have your appliances prepped. Professional movers typically are not allowed to unplug appliances. Unplug them, wrap up the cords and hoses, and have the refrigerator empty before the movers arrive.
Keep like items near each other. If you want your son’s toys to arrive in the same box, make sure they are in one location and not spread throughout the house. Movers tend to pack by room, not by like items.
If your movers are doing the packing, resist the temptation to start boxing. Very stringent methods of packing – you’re probably not going to be up to standards
Clear doorways and paths to where truck will be loaded
Get a list of items that cannot be shipped by your movers. Common non-allowables include hazardous materials (propane, aerosols, fertilizer for example) and perishables (frozen food, produce, plants).
Be prepared to provide food and drink. Have lots of water bottles on hand for the movers, especially if the move is during the summer. Also, you’ll need to feed them, too. Pizza or fast food usually does the trick.
Find out the tipping policy before moving day and have cash ready. Many professional moving companies expect you to tip the movers in addition to paying the moving fee. Plan on enough tip for all of the movers.

Plan ahead and you can help moving day to go more smoothly with your professional movers. Be sure to do the little things, like food and water, to keep the movers happy. You want to stay on good terms with them since they are moving everything you own.

Published on March 09, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

Service West

(650) 827-1580
100 East Grand Ave.
So. San Francisco, CA

Read more about Working with Professional Movers

- Checklist: Picking the right moving company California

Read more about Checklist: Picking the right moving company

- 5 Tips for an Easy Local Move California
- Customizing Your Move with Professional Movers California
- Moving? Tips for a Successful Garage Sale California
- Working With a REALTOR®: Can I Use More Than One? California
- Painless Moving California
- The next steps after a home offer California
- Home Renting vs. Buying California
- Avoiding moving scams California
- What You Need to Know About Local Moves California

Regional Articles

- Customizing Your Move with Professional Movers California

Have the movers do it all, or tackle some of the chores yourself to save some cash.

- The next steps after a home offer California
- What You Need to Know About Local Moves California
- Working With a REALTOR®: Can I Use More Than One? California
- Checklist: Picking the right moving company California
- Moving? Tips for a Successful Garage Sale California
- Home Renting vs. Buying California
- Painless Moving California
- Avoiding moving scams California
- 5 Tips for an Easy Local Move California

Related Local Events

Business Issues Committee Meeting
Dates: 6/26/2009 - 6/26/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Executive Board Meeting
Dates: 6/23/2009 - 6/23/2009
Location: Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce
Fairfield, CA
View Details

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History