Thousands of families are scammed every year by rogue operators posing as moving companies. Some of these scams cost families all of their belongings – along with the memories associated with them.

If you’re about to move, avoiding scammers should be a top priority. Fortunately, if you know what signs to look for, you’ll be able to spot a moving scam well in advance.

What Are Some Common Types of Moving Scams?

There are a few ways that rogue operators deploy their scams, so you’ll need to be vigilant before and after your move. Here are some of the most common scamming tactics to look out for:

• The “no show” – This scam is simple. The rogue operator schedules the move and promises to show up on the specified date. They then ask for a deposit, to secure your spot, they may claim.

Then, when moving day arrives, the movers don’t. They may make excuses, like not having an available truck. They may promise to show up on another day. Then, when that day arrives, they fail to show up again. The victim often never gets their deposit back.

• The ransom – Ransom scams are a bit more involved. To pull one off, the rogue moving company usually opens up with a too-good-to-be-true estimate, provided over e-mail or phone. On moving day, they show up and load everything on their truck. Once everything is loaded and driven away, the moving crew pulls the scam. They inform the client that their belongings weigh much more than originally estimated, and that an additional fee (sometimes thousands of dollars more) is required.

The rogue operator will then hold the family’s belongings “hostage” until these fraudulent charges are paid.

• The change-of-address scam – Some rogue operators execute their scams by thieving their customers’ identities. Change-of-address scams are the most common moving scams because they only require your full name and address to pull off – both of which the rogue operator has access to.

With this information, the scammer submits a change of address to the U.S. Postal Service. The goal is to intercept anything headed for the customer, which may include sensitive financial information. This information can be used to commit devastating levels of identity theft.

Choose a Reputable Moving Houston Professional and You’ll Avoid Moving Scams

You can avoid the above by selecting a reputable Houston moving company. Reputable moving services put the client first, with friendly communication, transparency, and a commitment to ethical practices.
The best thing families can do to protect themselves is to work with a well-regarded moving company. Here’s what to look for during your mover search:

• Experience – Experience, especially 10+ years of experience, is a good sign for a professional Houston mover. Scammers tend to be fly-by-night operations that don’t have a history of customer service. An experienced moving company has not only built up a reputation – it has proven that its operations and processes are effective.
• Positive, detailed customer reviews – Positive customer reviews are always a good sign for a professional mover, but it’s better if those customer reviews contain certain details. For example, is the mover’s punctuality or communication style receiving praise? Did they work with their client to resolve challenges that came up during the job? These details can reveal the marks of a reputable mover.
• Industry certifications – Like most industries, there are numerous trade organizations associated with the moving industry. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is chief among them and offers the coveted ProMover designation. To attain ProMover certification, the moving company’s customer history and operations are verified. The company must also sign onto a code of ethics and agree to the ATA’s and FMCSA’s complaint resolution processes.
• Good standing with the Department of Transportation (DoT) – The DoT and FMCSA are responsible for regulating motor carriers, including professional movers. They maintain a file on every registered mover and track critical information about each mover, including the size of their truck fleet, how long they’ve been in business, what they’re certified to move, and whether they’ve committed any recent traffic violations or infractions. This information can help families pick out the best-performing movers from the rest.

Some Signs That a Mover May Be Trying to Pull a Scam

In most cases, there are signs that a moving scam is developing before the trap is sprung. Some of those signs include:

• The moving company won’t accept credit cards, and demands cash only.
• The moving company doesn’t provide a copy of “Your rights and Responsibilities When You Move” – a consumer protection publication that movers must hand out prior to a job.
• The moving company doesn’t provide necessary paperwork, like a bill of lading, or the paperwork is blank where fees or contact information should be.
• The moving company is either unregistered with the FMCSA, or in poor standing.
• The moving company’s truck and uniforms don’t contain a company logo or contact information.
• The moving company won’t provide in-person moving estimates.
• The moving company has no online reviews, or only negative reviews.

Following your move, it’s a good idea to monitor your bank account for any charges associated with an address change. Also, if you receive a change-of-address confirmation in the mail or start receiving much less mail than normal, these could be signs of change-of-address fraud. Follow up with the U.S. postal service to verify that a change-of-address request has been made.

In the end, your instincts are your best defense. If you feel like the mover isn’t communicating well, or if you feel like you aren’t on the same page with the mover, take a step back and consider the risks involved. Consumers have the right to back out of moving contracts that aren’t handled according to the DoT’s regulations.

Moving Scams Will Victimize Thousands of Families This Year – Don’t Be One of Them

Moving scams can cost families everything they own – but they’re easy to avoid if you take the right precautions. Hiring an established, reputable Houston moving company is a proven way to avoid scams, and there are many signs to look for that could indicate potential fraud. Keep an eye on those signs, and you’ll steer clear of rogue moving companies.

Interior designers are experts in aesthetics, but materials are what they work with. Storing those materials, keeping track of them, transporting them, and ensuring they are ready for display places a significant logistical load on interior designers.

An experienced moving and storage company can help manage those processes, so designers can focus on every client and every project.

A Respected Houston Moving Company Can Help an Interior Designer Acquire New Clients

Successful interior decorators tend to be effective networkers, and this network is more effective if extended to a reputable moving service. Experienced moving professionals spend a lot of time providing customer service, and that provides plenty of opportunities to recommend partnered businesses.

This includes interior decorators, who frequently work with the same clients that decorators do, like architects and contractors. By partnering with a moving company, an interior decorator can grow their clientele without actively marketing.

Three Services Moving Professionals Can Provide to Interior Decorators

In addition to building a mutually beneficial professional relationship, moving companies can also provide several services that are of particular benefit to interior decorators. They include:

• Warehousing and inspection – Some moving professionals are able to provide warehousing on top of their moving services. Warehousing is a B2B service, designed for companies that need space for their products or materials. It’s like storage for commercial clients, only scaled up and packaged with other services.

With warehousing, interior designers have space to store their decorative items, furniture, and artwork. A warehousing provider can scale your space needs up or down as needed, so as your business grows, so does your storage room. Warehousing also makes it easy for decorators to keep their materials organized and ready to go.

A warehousing provider will keep a crew on hand at the storage facility, ready to handle anything that’s brought in or taken out. At this time, the warehousing crew will inspect everything for damage, missing components or missing hardware. If any issues are spotted, they’re reported to the interior decorator so a decision can be made. In this way, having a warehousing partner is like putting a quality check process in place.

• Assembly – Many interior decorators do a lot of their work with furniture, which must be assembled prior to delivery and placement. Interior decorators often don’t have the time for putting furniture together, but moving companies do. A reputable moving crew has the manpower and experience to quickly assemble any kind of furniture, so it can be quickly utilized for client projects.
• Delivery – Moving companies are a natural provider of delivery services, given their manpower and fleet of trucks. They can use these resources to deliver everything an interior decorator needs for a project, whether it’s bulky stuff like furniture or fragile items like artwork. Reputable warehousing providers can respond quickly to delivery requests, so if you need to quickly stage a property, you can get everything there in time.

What Does a Reputable Houston Moving Company Look Like?

There are hundreds of moving professionals in the Houston area alone, but only a small number offer a reputation worth attaching your name to. For interior decorators, then, the goal is finding a respected moving company to work with. To make the search easier, here are a few things to look for:

• Experience – Experience is critical for moving professionals. Most of the finer points of moving and warehousing can only be learned through experience. Partnering with an experienced moving team means interior decorators can benefit from this experience, with faster, more reliable service than a less experienced moving company could provide.

Also, moving companies that do their job poorly don’t last in the industry long. You can think of experience as a vote of confidence from previous customers, then.

• A customer-service mindset – Some moving companies make professionalism a priority and strive to leave a good impression on the customers they work with. That customer service first mindset will go a long way when the moving company recommends their partnered interior decorator.

The mover’s history of customer reviews is a valuable data point in this regard. A long list of satisfied clients is a good sign, as is a mover who responds promptly to any complaints. A communicative mover is the kind of mover you’ll want recommending your services.

• Proper licensing – Moving companies are regulated by the Department of Transportation. The DoT uses licensing to track moving companies, their safety record, and their work history. If a moving service fails to observe best practice during a job, they can lose their standing with the department. A reputable moving company will happily provide their DoT license number on request, as this can be used to verify that the business is legitimate and in good standing with the DoT.
• Adequate resources – Warehousing is a labor-intensive service and may require powered equipment to efficiently transport furniture and other heavy objects. Interior decorators that handle a lot of furniture or large quantities of heavy items will need a moving partner with plenty of power, whether it’s muscle or mechanical.
  It’s difficult for moving companies to stick in the industry, given the degree of skill and organization required. If you’re planning on establishing a partnership with a moving service, prioritizing the above traits will ensure your partnership is a long-term one.

Need Logistical Support? A Reputable Moving Company Can Streamline Your Interior Design Processes

Most interior decorators have their hands full acquiring new clients and providing service to existing ones. For these busy professionals, dealing with logistics as well is often one task too many.

That’s where a reputable moving company can help. By partnering with an experienced moving and warehousing service, interior decorators can secure their storage and delivery logistics, and add to their professional network at the same time. In Houston, a busy moving company will work with hundreds of clients over the course of a year. That’s a large potential client pool for interior decorators.

The trick is finding a Houston moving company that’s reputable and well respected. To do that, look for an experienced, licensed crew that also has a passion for exceeding their clients’ needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not understanding why an in-person moving quote is vital to a successful move is one of the leading reasons that people have bad moving experiences. Once a move is definite, the tendency is to jump in with both feet and start knocking things off of the to do list as quickly as possible. The problem with this strategy is that fast does not always equal accurate.

While a home or business owner may think it will take less time to get a moving quote over the phone or online, it does not account for the margin of error that can occur. Unfortunately, these methods often lead to inaccurate estimates in terms of how many boxes or pieces of furniture will need to be packed and transported, and that can lead to some very unexpected sticker shock when it comes time to pay the bill.

Why an In-person Moving Quote Is Vital

The reason why an in-person moving quote is vital is because it better protects the customer in a number of ways, including:

1. Increased accuracy. Part of the reason it can be so difficult to get an accurate moving quote over the phone or online is because the company representative on the other end cannot physically see the space being packed up to know if the box and furniture estimate seems on point. Many companies simply rely on the customer telling them how many boxes they think they will have for moving day. The problem is that any boxes or items outside of that quote will be in addition to the original quote and could possibly be calculated at a much higher price.
2. Decreased chances of being scammed. At first glance it can be hard to tell the difference between a fly by night operation and an established, professional moving company. Although it is not a guarantee, the odds may lean slightly in favor of the customer if the company has to come out in person and do some actual legwork before they ever get paid.
3. Better feel for the space. Some moving companies may add on charges if they will be moving items up and down staircases or through tight spaces and around sharp corners. When the representative is in-person at the home, they can evaluate if there will be any price add-ons for environmental challenges such as stairs or parking.
4. Higher degree of confidence in a company’s capability. When a company representative arrives at your home or business to give an in-person quote, it allows you to see how prepared they are and the expertise with which they move from room to room making calculations. A reputable company will likely send someone out with forms and inventory sheets to put together a more accurate quote. Note the way the person treats the home. Are they careful not to bring in any dirt or debris from outside when entering the home? Are they professional and respectful at all times? These are important considerations.
5. Insider packing tips. Movers know moving and everything that goes into it. As they go room by room of your home or business to estimate the number of boxes potentially needed, they may offer some helpful tips. For example, if you have a case full of collectible figurines, they might warn you to wrap them well in bubble wrap and not to overload the box. If you have a one-of-a-kind painting that is precious, they may offer you suggestions on customized crating options to ensure its protection and safety during the move.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Get an In-Person Moving Quote

Moving quote horror stories for those given online or over the phone are a dime a dozen. A quick Google search might surprise you with how many horror stories are out there. It is simply not worth it to get a moving quote any other way than in-person.

Consider the following scenario. Derek chats online with a moving company that has a great website and looks reputable. To determine a moving quote for him, they ask him how many square feet his house is, how many rooms it has, and if it is more than one story. From there they may ask him how many pieces of furniture and how many boxes he estimates he will have to move. Then the company emails him a contract to sign and return that should specify the numbers he gave them.

Fast forward to moving day. The movers arrive at Derek’s house. Now that Derek is done packing, he realizes that he underestimated the number of boxes he would have by at least twenty-five. But, at the price the moving company already offered per box, he knows it will still be affordable.

When the movers start loading up the moving truck and do inventory, they make a note that there are twenty-five extra boxes and several extra pieces of furniture that were not included in the original quote. They then calculate a different moving day price for the extra items and add it to the bill.

Unfortunately, because of the extra items that were not accounted for in the original quote, Derek’s belongings do not all fit in the moving truck and will require an extra vehicle for transport – if they can find one that is available.

At this point, Derek is now going to have to pay for an additional moving vehicle because of the original inaccurate estimate and will also have to pay a different and more exorbitant price for the additional boxes he had not planned on having.

All the savings Derek thought he would be getting with his coupon and online quote are completely gone and then some after adding in the more costly moving day prices and the cost of another moving truck. Even worse, if another moving truck is not available, the move may have to be postponed.

Perhaps the most disheartening thing about this situation is that these miscalculations could have been avoided by enlisting the help of a reputable moving company that provided moving quotes in person. This illustration is a perfect example of why an in-person moving quote is vital.

What Should Be Included In your In-person Moving Quote

When you do get an in-person moving quote, look for some of the following line items to be included:

• Estimated number of boxes to be loaded on the moving truck. While the number the professional estimates may not be exact, it should be more accurate than an over the phone or online quote.
• Estimated number of unboxed furniture items to be loaded on the truck. An expert will check some of the larger items to see if they break down for moving purposes or if they will require the same area they currently occupy.
• Combined estimated weight of the boxes and furniture being loaded. This is done as interstate moves may require a moving van to abide by certain guidelines for truck weight.
• The distance (mileage) for the move including the original and destination address and the preferred route. Knowing how many miles the route is expected to be will factor in to estimating the number of stops needed to refuel.
• Flight charges. This term refers to stairs and/or elevators. If a mover has to go up one or more flights of stairs, they may add this charge to your bill. The term may appear on your bill even if you have no stairs, and in this case, just make sure the amount listed next to it is zero.
• Additional services. If you opt to have the company provide services such as packing, unpacking, storage, or customized crates, they should be detailed and listed clearly on the quote.
• Coverage. Most companies provide a small amount of insurance coverage. While it is better than nothing even for a company that has a low damage rate percentage, most people choose to supplement this coverage.

The golden rule of moving quotes is to ensure that everything that has been promised verbally actually appears on the quote itself. Without this, the company cannot be held accountable for not keeping a promise that they never made on paper to begin with.

Understand why an in-person moving quote is vital before you start searching for estimates. Taking the time to do the groundwork for an in depth and accurate quote can save you from headaches and substantial unexpected expenses in the long run. Make the most of your next move by getting an in-person moving quote for a reputable Houston moving company.

Although it can be tempting if you think it could save you money, there are plenty of reasons why your moving team should not include friends and family. One reason that might top the list is that usually your friends and family do not really want to help you move. They might agree to do it out of a feeling of obligation, but most would likely rather celebrate you with a home warming party than spend a day moving dozens of heavy boxes and furniture for you.

In reality, you probably do not really want them moving you either. Yes, it would keep you from having to pay a moving company, but there are still other costs to consider. What will happen if a friend drops your box of priceless baseball cards and they land scattered all over the street on a rainy day? What will you do if a person injures themselves and then has to miss a week or more of work to recover? What will you lose if a confrontation over moving ends up costing you a relationship?

These are important considerations to keep in mind as to why your moving team should not include friends and family, especially when a professional moving company is trained, experienced, and efficient. Let the movers take care of moving you and let your friends and family help you celebrate in your new home afterwards.

Reasons Why Your Moving Team Should Not Include Friends and Family

Inviting over some buddies and co-workers to help you move and then paying them in pizza and sodas may initially sound like a great idea, but there are reasons why your moving team should not include friends and family…or pizza and drinks for that matter, unless it is after the moving is done. Pizza can be greasy, which makes hands slippery, and drinks can spill, which makes the floor slippery. Neither is a good combination with moving.

Here is a list of additional issues that can be avoided by using a professional team instead:

• Scheduling. You have had your move on the calendar for weeks with friends and family, but on moving day it is still possible for scheduling problems to occur. If you have a friend who came down with something or someone in the family who cannot make it due to an emergency, you will be out some members of your moving crew with no backup replacements. When working with a moving company, they should have enough personnel to shift around so that if one or more crew members is sick, replacements can still be provided so your move takes place on time.
• Weather. No one knows for sure what the weather will be like on moving day until moving day arrives. The problem is that amateur movers are generally not as prepared to battle the elements all day for a friend. However, professional moving companies endure crazy weather all year long and are generally better equipped to move a person’s belongings, rain or shine.
• Hidden Costs. Even if you think you are saving by letting people you know move you, there may be more hidden costs than you think. For example, if all of your items cannot fit in your car, you may need to rent a truck or a dolly to transport all your belongings. And do not forget the price of extra fuel that may be needed for the truck. It is also customary to provide a meal for those moving you if they are there during mealtime. These costs can quickly add up and will require more coordination than if you simply outsourced the job to a moving company.
• Equipment. Professional moving companies have access to dollies, moving straps, rope, bungee cords, and furniture sliders to name just a few. The problem is that friends and family generally do not have these items readily available for use. Such items are recommended for moves to limit the possibility of damage, but it will be an extra expense if you have to search them out yourself.
• Experience. Professional movers are trained to know how to tape up boxes, how to pack balanced boxes, how to stack boxes in a moving van, and even how to lift with their knees instead of their back. They also know how to get furniture down a stairwell or how to rotate pieces of furniture to get them out the front door without causing damage. These are not things that the average friend or family member is familiar with, and this can open the door to moving day catastrophes that you simply do not have time for. Rely on the experience of the professionals for more peace of mind about the moving process from start to finish.
• Large Items. Particularly large items such as big appliances, desks, cabinets, and even pianos can be hard to move for even experienced movers who have all the standard and specialized equipment. With this being the case, do you really want your friends or family moving and possibly damaging these items?
• Injury. Moving involves lots of bending, stretching, and heavy lifting. Each of these moves can be particularly taxing for unusually large items or boxes that are not packed in a balanced manner. Even for the fittest of friends and family, many are not used to these types of repetitive movements in the way that professional movers are. This means that they could be more susceptible to injury. Not only will injury to an amateur volunteer mover potentially delay your timeline for moving, but it could also severely impact that friend or family member’s daily activities for the near future if they tear a ligament or break a bone.
• Damaged Items. With any move, there is at least some risk of damage occurring. This may happen due to unbalanced boxes, improperly stacked boxes, or plain old accidents. Professional movers are trained to pack boxes in a way that evenly distributes the weight load, making the box’s placement sturdier, even when stacked. Most friends and family lack this knowledge and it might put your items at an increased risk of being damaged during the move.
• Damaged Home. Most people are surprised at the number of items in their home that do not slide seamlessly through the doorways on their way to the moving truck. This can range from pieces of furniture to large boxes. Sometimes turning boxes at a certain angle or forcing them through can yield success, but much of the time it results in damaged items and damage to the home. The last thing you want to have to deal with as you are moving out is a giant gash in the entryway drywall or a broken pane of glass in the front door. Professional movers are trained to package and protect belongings, and have the skill needed to avoid damage.
• Responsibility. When working with an insured moving company, your items should be covered to at least some extent for damage that occurs. And most reputable moving companies offer additional insurance that can be purchased, adding valuable peace of mind. In other words, if the movers break a tv during the course of a move, you should be reimbursed to some degree for that loss. This does not necessarily hold true for a friend that drops a tv. They are not insured, so all you may get is a, “Gee, I’m really sorry,” and you could still be out a tv with no reimbursement.
• Friendships. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if a friend who helped you move would still be a friend if they dropped your box of glass figurines or put a hole in the front hall of the home you are moving out of. It could happen, and it might cost you a friend. It is better to preserve friendships and relationships with family members by delegating the work of moving to a professional moving company.
• Favors. If you drafted a friend or person in your family to help you move for free and they sacrifice a day or two of their time to help you lift heavy boxes and load up the car, the odds are that they will need to call in that same favor from you at some point. If for some reason you cannot make that reciprocal favor happen, it could potentially lead to frustration and arguments that can put a serious strain on that relationship. If you spend the money you would have spent for food for your volunteer movers on professional movers instead, it can be well worth the investment.

Ways Friends and Family Can Help

If you have a few friends who still claim they really do want to help with the move, think about giving them an alternate job that will make a move go smoother.

For example, if you have young children or pets in the home at the time of the move, ask a friend to babysit for the day. This helps ensure that the kids and/or pets are out of harm’s way, and it also keeps the movers safe from tripping over them. Having a friend provide this service on moving day is invaluable.

Another job for friends and family could be providing you with take out the week of the move as you are packing up all your cookware and appliances, or maybe even bringing lunch by for the moving crew on the day of. While this is a simple task, it would be greatly appreciated.

Although there are plenty of reasons why your moving team should not include friends and family, it does not mean there is nothing for them to do. Having people help with the little things can be a really big advantage when it comes to moving.

Now that you know why your moving team should not include friends and family, take that information to heart. No friendship or relationship with a family member is worth sacrificing to save a few dollars on a move. Reach out to a local and professional moving company today and set a date for your new adventure!

Moving can feel overwhelming for many people, but by planning ahead with these 14 tips for making moving day smooth, the experience can be a positive one. Moving can require a leap of faith to leave what you know and move to something new, but almost everything that follows should be a matter of planning. Knowing what to do and when to do it can help take the pressure off and provide for a better move in Houston.

Making Moving Day Smooth One Task at a Time

Getting ready for a move begins the day you decide to do it, and the journey doesn’t end until you have arrived at your new destination and have completed unpacking. To help you better navigate each step of the way, we have put together a list of 14 tips for making moving day smooth, including:

1. Make a to do list. There are many things to consider for making moving day smooth, from selecting the movers to buying the packing supplies to doing the actual packing. The list of to-dos can be far too long to simply store it in your head. Put a pen to paper and get a list going to help you identify necessary action items and make a plan for checking them off as you go.

2. Declutter your home. Whether you spent only a few months or as long as decades in your home, the accumulation of more belongings over time is inevitable. However, not all of these belongings will be things you want to take with you to your new home. Even though it will require some time, declutter each room of your home before packing begins and donate the items that can be repurposed and throw away those that are beyond saving.

3. Choose a Houston moving company. When it comes to tips for making moving day smooth, this one is very important. The choice you make could dictate how the remainder of the move goes, so take your time to do the research. It is essential to select a moving company that is insured, for their protection and yours. Be sure to confirm the movers have the right licensing and perform routine maintenance on their vehicles as well. This ensures there are no hiccups on the big day.

4. Get an in-home quote. An in-home quote is often recommended over one that is given online or over the phone. When going room by room of a home or business, it allows a moving company to more accurately estimate the number of boxes and pieces of furniture that will need to be moved. Relying on the company’s expertise for these estimates can eliminate a last-minute panic on moving day of having extra boxes to load on the truck. An in-home moving quote also enables the movers to view the space in person and note if they will need a special parking pass, permit, or specialized equipment to navigate stairs or tight spaces.

5. Take pictures of breakables. A reputable moving company should have a low damage rate of around one percent, but there will be times where an item could get broken during the moving process. For this reason, it can be helpful to take pictures of important breakables before they are packed and moved. Keep this documentation after the move is complete as it could be helpful in the recovery stages of a natural disaster.

6. Take pictures of complex electronic setups. Most homeowners can attest to having a tangle of cords behind the entertainment center or computer. Unless you have IT experience and can remember what plug goes where, take a picture of the current setup to help assist with putting everything back into place at the new home.

7. Pack items up correctly. While packing up items should take place long before the actual moving day, the effects of it will be felt most prominently on that day. The primary issues for items that are not packed correctly are improperly assembled or sealed boxes and unbalanced boxes. A box that is not assembled and sealed efficiently may result in its collapse when a mover tries to pick up the box and load it onto the moving van. This causes a delay in moving as well as the potential for items in the box to be damaged if they fall out. Unbalanced boxes can increase the odds of a box collapsing because the weight of the items is not distributed evenly. To avoid these common mistakes, some individuals choose to have the moving company pack up their belongings to make moving day smooth.

8. Label boxes clearly. It can be helpful to load the moving van room by room, but well labeled boxes are still essential. As you pack up boxes, take the time to label each box clearly with a thick black marker that designates what room the box belongs in, as well as the key items that are packed up inside. This helps movers know which room it belongs in when they arrive at the destination, and it helps the individual quickly locate certain items they might be looking for. If there is a box that contains objects that are sharp or delicate, it is best to label the box as “Fragile” in large print.

9. Be strategic with utilities. While your inclination may be to turn off the utilities on moving day, this is a bad idea. Movers will still need light to help them see and water will still be needed for bathroom breaks and cleaning. Plan to turn off the utilities to your old home the day after the movers are done. Turn on the utilities in the new home the day before you and the movers are expected to arrive. Do not forget to put arranging utilities on your to do list, which should include water, electricity, gas, trash service and internet.

10. Get to packing. Nothing adds to the chaos of moving day like trying to pack up the boxes you were too tired to tend to the night before. Not only does it extend the to do list for an already long day, but it also increases the chances of forgetting to pack an item or not safeguarding it properly. Ideally, it is best to be entirely packed the night before moving day, with the exception of items like toiletries and medications that will need to be packed the morning of.

11. Isolate items you will be taking with you. The goal is to pack up everything you can in boxes for the moving company to load and transport, however, there are some items that you may need to keep with you. Pets, plants, and hazardous materials are not typically handled by movers. As such, arrange to move these items yourself. Keep important documents such as insurance, passports, and utility information with you during the move for easy access.

12. Give the movers room to do their job. Most established, professional moving companies have performed hundreds or more moves and know what they are doing and the best way to do it. Aside from offering to answer questions, it can be best to stay out of the way so that the movers can get their job done quickly. If you have children or pets, consider how to keep them out of the way of the movers to prevent accidents and delays.

13. Ensure the movers have your personal contact information. Take the time to verify that the movers have your phone number before the moving truck leaves your home. This allows them to let you know if they get lost, have a problem that requires roadside assistance, or if there is another type of delay so you can plan accordingly.

14. Do a walk through. After the contents of the house have been loaded into the moving truck, take the time to do a thorough walk through. This helps ensure no boxes were missed, the lights have been turned off, and you have taken all your personal belongings with you. Do not forget to check places that may be out of sight and out of mind like the attic, basement, or a shed.

Arriving at Your Destination

So much can go into the 14 tips for making moving day smooth, that remembering what to do upon arriving at your destination can be overlooked.

One of the first things you may want to do is find your bedding, which should be fairly easy if the boxes were labeled correctly. After a long day or more of moving, you will be ready to sleep in your own bed, and getting the bed set up early will allow you to fall right into it. Locating certain bathroom and toiletry items upon arrival should also be a priority so that you are able to take a shower before going to bed later that night.

If you arranged for the utilities to be turned on prior to your arrival, that should already be in place and be one less thing for you to worry about. This allows you to focus your energy on unpacking. Although it may be tempting to put off unpacking until tomorrow, the sooner you unpack the sooner your new surroundings will start to feel like home. It is best not to put it off for too long.

You may also want to change the home’s locks. While ideally, everyone who had a key should have turned it in before they moved out, it doesn’t hurt to be thorough and change the locks anyway for an added layer of protection.

With these 14 tips for making moving day smooth, you can breathe deep and have more confidence in the process from start to finish, and that is hard to put a price on.

For decades, regulators have worked to stay ahead of rogue movers, and another wave of regulatory language is designed to pressure fraudulent moving companies further.

The new changes, proposed by a working group of industry experts and approved by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), will make fraud more difficult for rogue movers to pull off. The new changes will streamline paperwork for moving professionals and provide customers with wider protections.

How Big is the Rogue Mover Problem?

Rogue movers have been an issue for the industry for decades. Posing as a legitimate moving company, rogue movers typically provide over-the-phone or e-mail estimates, promise low fees, pack the customer’s belongings on a moving truck and then demand a larger payment than what was initially agreed on. In effect, rogue movers hold their customers’ belongings “hostage” until the customer pays up. In many cases, the belongings are never returned, which means a rogue mover can steal everything a family owns without being heard from again.

This problem has grown in prevalence over the years. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), customers filed 4,274 complaints against moving companies in 2019. More than half of these complaints regarded overcharging – a standard rogue mover maneuver. The BBB believes that only 10 percent of moving fraud victims report their experiences to the BBB, which suggests the problem is far larger.

What are the FMCSA’s Law Changes and How Will They Help Solve the Rogue Mover Problem?

Several new regulations and recommendations are being discussed and will likely go into effect soon. Among the new regulations are:

• New bill of lading procedures – The bill of lading is the most important piece of documentation associated with a move. It provides a detailed account of what’s being moved, where those items are being moved, and any other conditions relevant to the job.
  Traditionally, the bill of lading is signed by the mover and the client after everything is loaded. However, this puts consumers in a difficult position if they do not agree with what’s described on the bill of lading. Once everything is loaded, the consumer loses their leverage.
  In response to this, the FMCSA is revising bill of lading procedures. Now, the mover must provide the bill of lading no later than three days prior to the move. The mover and client must both sign the document at this time. Once signed, the client has three days to decide whether they want to go forward with the move. If they wish, they may rescind (cancel) the move without any penalty.
  With these new bill of lading procedures in place, consumers can back out of a move if they do not approve of what’s on the paperwork.
• No order of service required – The order for service has long been a supporting piece of documentation, containing the estimated cost of the move, the move’s schedule, and any additional services that have been requested with moving services.
  With the new changes, everything that was once included on the order of service is now required on the bill of lading. This is one less piece of paperwork for professionals and consumers to keep track of.
• Surveys required with every move – Rogue movers operate by providing false estimates to their clients. They do this by skipping the survey process and providing a quote over the phone or through e-mail.
  The FMCSA now requires professional movers to perform a site survey before providing an estimate. This is the case regardless of how far away the job is from the professional mover. The only exception to this is if the customer opts out of an estimate through written confirmation.
  With required site surveys, consumers know that they are getting a properly developed estimate and not a quote designed for bait-and-switch purposes.
• Virtual surveys instead of physical ones – The proposed changes will allow moving professionals to provide a virtual survey instead of a physical survey. The customer decides which they prefer, and if a virtual survey is the choice, the moving company must perform the survey on live video, with both the customer and moving company representative available. Any survey without a video component will be insufficient for surveying purposes.
• Movers are required to provide information on customer rights – With every customer, the mover must provide a paper copy of (or a web link to) required consumer-related documentation. This includes Ready to Move? and Your Rights and Responsibility When You Move, both of which detail the customer’s protections during the moving process.
  To confirm that the customer has received this documentation, the customer must sign a receipt prior to the move.
• No more estimate revisions – Under the FMCSA’s new guidance, moving professionals are not allowed to make revisions to existing moving estimates. Instead, a new binding or nonbinding estimate will be required when the client provides additional goods for moving. While a new estimate means a new bill of lading, this does not restart the three-day clock associated with bill of lading approval.

The Proposed Law Changes Will Make Moving Safer for Everyone

The new laws and regulations will give consumers more protection during the moving process, even allowing them to back out of a transaction that appears fraudulent. This is good for consumers and for reputable moving professionals, who also benefit from reduced paperwork and better practices that boost the industry as a whole.

Moving is a huge undertaking, but with 15 tips for a stress-free move it does not have to be overwhelming. The exciting part of moving to a new block, city, or state can be searching for the perfect new home. With that mission accomplished, it can make all the work that has to happen for you to move into that new home a little less attractive. The best way to combat the procrastination that sometimes ensues is to jump all in by setting up a game plan designed to help the transition be as smooth and stress-free as possible.

15 Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Do not let the process of moving feel too daunting. Keep moving day manageable by following these key tips for a stress-free move:

Invest time in following these 15 tips for a stress-free move and make moving day a more pleasant experience from start to finish.

Moving does not have to be an overwhelming task if you know what to look for in a professional mover. The circumstances for a move may be different such as for a transfer, a fresh new start, or moving closer to loved ones, but the logistics remain much the same. Avoid feeling overcome by the hundreds of tiny details for the moving part of your journey by enlisting the help of seasoned and professional movers. Delegating the details to a responsible party can leave you free to focus on the new adventure ahead.

What to Look for in a Professional Mover

When it comes to what to look for in a professional mover in Houston, there are two main categories that should be considered:

1. Credibility
2. Services

It is best to start with looking for a Houston moving company that has excellent credibility. Afterall, the fact that a company offers tons of services will not do much if they are not trustworthy or good at what they do.

The top considerations for choosing a reliable and trustworthy moving company include:

• Experience. A simple online search will return hundreds of results for moving companies, but just because they have a website does not make them experienced or trustworthy. An experienced team is what to look for in a professional mover. A company with decades of skill in moving people locally, nationally, and even internationally has not only likely completed hundreds of moves, but has done so successfully if they are still in business.
• Professionalism. While it may be tempting to go with a fly by night company that offers too good to be true prices, resist the urge. Look for a company that shows pride and professionalism in their work from the way their website is set up to how they speak with potential clients over the phone.
• Client and Industry Reputation. The feedback from previous clients can often be an excellent source of information in discerning a company’s reputation. In addition, it is recommended to check a provider’s Better Business Bureau ratings. Together, these two information sources can provide valuable data on a moving company.
• Employment Protocol. Restrict your list to moving companies that employ their workers rather than contract out for help. This is critical as employees that are hired are typically subjected to drug screenings and background checks, whereas that same level of scrutiny is not usually applied to contract workers. Going with a professional moving company that employs their workers may give you added peace of mind about the people in your space and facilitating your move.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential moving companies to those that are experienced, professional, reputable, and employ their workers, the next step is to start comparing the services that they offer.

Take time to verify the following with a professional moving company before signing:

• Geographic Scope of Services. Confirm that the provider can meet your geographic needs. Smaller moving companies may only offer local services, while larger and more established ones will cater to local, statewide, cross country, and international moves.
• Types of Moves Offered. While the most frequent type of move is from home to home, offices and corporations can also benefit from these services when moving to a new floor or building. Ensure the specific type of move you need is offered by the company you select.
• In-Person Quotes. One of the most frequent sources for issues with pricing can come from the way a moving quote is provided. Although quotes given over the phone or online may seem easy, the result is costly if a person does not accurately estimate the number of boxes and pieces of furniture to be transported. The best way to circumvent this issue is to have the moving company send a qualified representative to your home or office to go room by room and give a more accurate estimate.
• Packing and Unpacking Services. While transporting belongings from point A to point B is an obvious service of moving companies, many also offer assistance with packing and unpacking. Particularly for relocations that require a fast turnaround time, it may be helpful to have the moving company bring the supplies and pack up your belongings. Not only will this save you time and energy, but it can also help ensure that boxes are packed in a more balanced manner to limit the risk of damage. For those individuals wanting to get settled into their new surroundings quickly, unpacking services should also be available.
• Customized Services. Not every item in a home or office will fit neatly into a cardboard box. Items such as pianos, grandfather clocks, statues, or aquariums can require special customized packaging to reduce the potential for damage during transport. It is also a good idea to confirm the provider has the means to move these items, which may require special machinery for tight spaces, stairwells and elevators, or custom crating for delicate items.
• Vehicle Maintenance. So much focus can be on an individual’s belongings that are to be moved, that the state of a company’s vehicle fleet can be forgotten. When it comes to what to look for in a professional mover, regular maintenance for their vehicles is key. The best packed boxes will not be able to get to a destination any faster if a vehicle breaks down during transport.
• Licensing and Insurance. The mover you select should have a Department of Transportation number that can be verified. Additional licensing information may be available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The company should also be insured.
• Damage Rate. Moving fragile personal belongings over even short distances in a large truck or van may result in damage from time to time, but it should not be the norm. Confirm a moving company’s damage rate and make your goal to find one with a rate as close to one percent as possible.
• Communication. From the in-person quote to coordinating the packing and finally keeping all parties updated on the transit to the final destination, good communication is essential. Verify how and with what frequency a company communicates with clients during the process for a smoother experience from start to finish.

A little research and homework are your best defenses when it comes to what to look for in a professional mover in Houston. Even though a move may be necessary, it does not mean you should sign up with the first Houston moving company you come across. Put in the work to find a provider that will respect you and your belongings as much as you do.

Most individuals have clutter they have vowed to sort through at some point or another but knowing why decluttering makes moving easier is a lesson best learned sooner rather than later. If you are getting ready to buy or sell, be proactive and declutter your home in advance of moving. This not only streamlines the process but may also help save some money by eliminating unnecessary boxes. Before getting an in-person quote from a professional moving company, take the time to declutter. Your sanity and wallet will thank you for it.

Why Decluttering Makes Moving Easier

When getting ready to move, the to-do list can get long quickly, which makes simply packing up what you already have into boxes without a thought more than tempting. However, there are several key ways in which decluttering makes moving easier:

• Less stuff to pack and unpack. When done right, decluttering the home should result in less things to pack and then unpack later. Compare the time it would take to carefully wrap old dishes in bubble wrap and put them into a box for a move versus taking them directly to a charity or thrift store as is.
• Moving can cost less money with less boxes. By decluttering people can usually eliminate as many as five to ten or more packing boxes of their belongings. Less boxes to move should equal a slightly lower moving estimate, and that can help save money.
• Faster sale of a home. One of the number one tips realtors give to sellers is to begin by decluttering their home because it can make a space seem bigger than it is and helps the buyer more easily envision their own belongings in that space. In either case, decluttering a home on the market may make it sell faster.

The bottom line is that spending several days or weeks going through a home to declutter is time well spent and often results in putting more money back into your pocket.

Top 8 Tips for Decluttering Before A Move

Decluttering can seem like a massive undertaking, especially for those with larger homes. No matter the size of your home, the good news is that by breaking it down into simpler steps it can help facilitate the process without overwhelming you.

Our top 8 tips for decluttering before a move are:

Understanding why decluttering makes moving easier is a crucial step toward having a successful experience. Instead of letting your things own you, take control of the situation and decide what should stay and what should go before moving day arrives.