Cheap College Movers In DC

Washington DC University Moving Companies

College students in and around the Washington, DC, area know there is competition for everything. It starts with getting admitted to the school you want, then continues with finding housing, being accepted by the field of study of your choice, and even parking spaces in demand in the metro area. And every year, you must move out of your on- or off-campus housing, find a new place, or put things in storage until the next term starts. It's a never-ending cycle. You'll need to hire professional student movers to make this process easier.

How do I find the right college movers in the D.C. area?

Moves can be challenging for both parties involved in the transaction. As a consumer, if you are only moving a small amount of weight, you don’t want to pay college student movers too much because you don’t meet a shifting company’s minimum requirement. If you have to move on a specific schedule assigned by your school, it can complicate things when trying to arrange for shifters. For the removalists, parking is usually tricky near dorms and student apartments, as is access to shared elevators and stairwells.

When looking for a mover, check with the college student-carrying assistance office to see if they have recommendations. In many academy towns, some DC movers develop a specialty in serving that segment of the community. The best providers may already be familiar to the administrators or students who have been through one or more move cycles. Those suggestions are an excellent place to start, but don't just take their word for it. Verify that the haulers have the necessary licenses to operate in whatever locality you are shifting from and to before you agree to a contract. Shady operators take advantage of consumers who don't take the time to check.

What Should I Be Looking For When I Choose A College Student Moving Company?

The licensing the mover needs depends on where it operates and how far it transports your shipment. For example, a D.C. business license and general liability insurance are required if the agency is located within the District of Columbia. If the move is within the Washington DC metro area, that is sufficient, but you should do some other checking for more information. However, if the company is based in one of the states surrounding the D.C. jurisdiction, each has its authority over vendors, so check with the individual state. Suppose you are moving across state lines, which is likely, given the proximity of state boundaries in the area. In that case, the hauling agency needs an interstate license, which means it must register with FMCSA (the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and have a valid license from the DOT.

You can check on the FMCSA website to determine if the haulers you are considering has a valid license, and you will also find information about its safety record and complaint history there. FMCSA has resources and information to help you plan your move and avoid falling prey to relocator scams. Here are some red flags to be on the lookout for:

Low-ball estimate, over-the-phone, or online estimate.

Experts recommend obtaining at least three estimates from moving companies before choosing one to do the work. The company must send someone to inspect the goods you want to move and create an inventory of the shipment they use to develop a calculation. If the forecast for the hauling services seems too good to be true, it probably is. The mover may be planning to hijack your shipment and disappear or demand a much higher payment in exchange for delivery. If the mover is reluctant to perform the in-person survey, that’s also a bad sign.

Cash deposit.

Usually, the consumer pays for benefits when the shipment is delivered, and most legitimate removalists accept credit cards. Be wary if a firm requests cash only or a large deposit.

Blank documents.

If a moving vendor asks you to sign a blank estimate or inventory and tells you they will finish filling it in later, don’t do it. They can put anything they want above your signature, and you legally agree to it. If the contract has blanks, strike through them before you sign.

No local address or office.

If the removalists don’t have an office in their business area, that might indicate that it is a façade or sham operation. Most legitimate carriers have trucks with the agency name on the outside and their work location. If the enterprise you find lacks those things, be wary. Also, if the phone number you call is answered with a vague greeting like "movers" or "moving company" instead of the company you are trying to contact, that is another red flag.

Another good way to get information about the businesses you are considering is to check the Better Business Bureau website. Unlike the testimonials you may see on the companies' sites, the BBB collects actual reviews (positive and negative) from consumers. It would help if you also considered asking potential vendors for references so that you can speak directly to real customers about their experience.

Do I Need To Buy Extra Insurance For A College Move?

One of the most asked questions about moving is whether to buy the added insurance. Haulers offer essential protection for your interstate shipment, as the FMCSA requires. If the move is within one state, then that state's regulations will govern what is required, so again, check with the appropriate consumer agency. The essential protection, also called released value, does not offer robust coverage for your belongings if something happens to your goods. At the same time, they are being loaded, moved, or unloaded. There is an excellent chance that the item's value is higher than the coverage offered. As a result, consumer advocates and international moving experts encourage customers to look closely at the optional levels that the movers include. You must pay more for the added protection, but it may be worth the investment. Fortunately, most moves occur without incident, but it is unfortunate when an accident happens, and the consumer suffers a loss that insurance could have prevented.

When you accept the delivery of your goods, examine the shipment documentation that the mover gives you to sign. Sometimes, the wording states that the cargo is complete and intact. You should not sign that until you have thoroughly examined all the contents, which you won't have a chance to do instantly when you receive the delivery unless it is a minimal move. If the receipt says that, highlight the words and initial where you have corrected before signing it. That way, you reserve the ability to file a claim for any loss that you may discover when you review the boxes later. For any interstate carrier, you have nine months to file a claim for anything missing or damaged. However, you must file a claim within 30 days for a local move within the Commonwealth of Virginia. In any event, you should file a claim as soon as you discover its need. File a claim with the mover and specify what went wrong. Include photos, if possible, and receipts supporting the item's value. FMCSA reports that most claims regarding damage are resolved amicably between the moving company and the customer.