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Last Minute Movers Baltimore

Published by Chris Townsend

Last Minute Moving Companies In Baltimore

Long distance moving services

Whatever the reason is that you find yourself looking for a mover at the last minute in Baltimore, don’t panic. Perhaps you had a moving company lined up, but your plans fell through. Or, maybe your hauling date suddenly got pushed up by a couple of weeks when you weren't ready. It's possible you realized that shifting on your own or with a couple of buddies wasn't the great idea you thought it was. No matter the cause of your last-minute crunch, there is a solution.

How I could Find the Last-Minute Mover?

Finding a full-service moving company, especially for a last-minute move can be a bit intimidating. It's not easy to find a community-based company or local haulers that are up to the task. Also, most of us don't know what to look for or how to evaluate the choices.

It's already a stressful time when you plan to move and trying to determine the right criteria to choose a service provider can make everything seem impossible. The good news is that you are likely to find an outstanding, highly reputable moving company at the last minute. Just pay attention to some helpful hints, and you can avoid trouble.

The basic principles of choosing a hauler include understanding the difference between a local relocate and a long-distance shift. Local relocates are usually considered less than 100 miles one way, although some companies place the cutoff at 50 miles. If you can complete the job in a day, it's local. A long-haul move may be described as over 450 miles. One crucial distinction is between local and interstate moves because this difference impacts how movers are paid and how they are regulated.

A local move takes place entirely within one state and is usually priced by time rather than weight. In some areas, intrastate hauls can be long-distance, but in Baltimore, if you move within the state, that is local.

An interstate haul, also called an out-of-state shift, is any move that crosses a state line. In some cases, the haul could start and finish in the same state if it travels through a different jurisdiction in the process, but most often, it starts in one and ends in another. Even a local shift in the Baltimore area is usually an interstate move since you might travel back and forth through Maryland and the District, and even Virginia within a few miles.

Interstate shifting companies are regulated by FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA requires hauling companies to register with the Department of Transportation and to follow rules for operation. These rules protect the consumer from fraud and help you understand the way moving companies operate and charge for their services.

Before you choose an interstate mover, check the FMCSA site to ensure that the company is registered and look at the data FMCSA has collected on its safety record and complaint history.

While you are on the website, look for the helpful brochure titled Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. Your hauler is obligated to provide you with a copy of this resource, but it's even better for you to read it ahead of time. This pamphlet has definitions of moving industry vocabulary and explains how estimates and insurance work.

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Movers in Baltimore MD

How I could get estimates at Final Moment?

Even at the last minute, it is essential to make time to compare the estimates from different affordable movers. Some shady operators may try and take advantage of you if you tell them you are in a hurry. They might provide you a free estimate and suggest that you skip the in-home survey of your household goods and offer to give you a cheap moving estimate based on your verbal description of what you need to move.

Or they might ask you to complete an online form and provide a quote using that information. Keep in mind that if you are making an interstate shift, the mover is required to do a visual survey of the items you want to relocate.

You are permitted to waive that step, but there is no good reason for you to do so. It's the best way for the moving company's representative to assess the project's scope and provide the most accurate estimate. That visit also offers a chance for you to meet their representative and develop a rapport as you talk with them about the move and ask questions. If the person conducting the estimate is knowledgeable and helpful, you are more likely to feel comfortable trusting them with the important job of hauling your personal belongings.

If the person is reluctant to be there, perhaps even abrupt in their treatment of the task, that may be a signal that you are considering the wrong vendor.

Experts in the moving industry recommend that you compare at least three estimates for any significant moving job. Check that you are comparing “apples to apples.” The reason for that caution is that some estimates are binding, and some are nonbinding. A nonbinding estimate is not a guaranteed price—it can increase if the mover’s assessment of the shipment was inaccurate.

A binding estimate is a commitment to a price, even if the final weight is higher than predicted. The only time that a binding estimate is not firm is if you add items to the shipment or services to the request.

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Friendly movers in Baltimore, MD area and surrounding counties

What are the Extra Service Charges in a Last-Minute haul?

Some things cost extra whether the move is planned well in advance or scheduled suddenly. If you request the mover to take on the task of packing, they will add an hourly charge to the price for this service. Professional haulers are good at packing. They can perform this job better and more quickly than most of us because they have more experience to ensure that they move your belongings safely.

Having the haulers pack saves you time and stress. It also provides an extra layer of assurance that your possessions are well-protected. In fact, consider the packing service for purposes of liability. If you pack a box and it gets dropped, the liability coverage that you have for the shift may not be effective to replace something broken inside, even if the box itself remains intact. If the short notice movers pack something, they take on the responsibility of packing it safely.

It's possible that the packing may cost more if you haven't taken the time to reduce the number of items you are moving. Relocation is always an excellent time to declutter and dispose of things you no longer need. If you are too rushed to execute that process thoughtfully, you may end up transporting items that you might otherwise have left behind, sold, or given away.

There may be an extra charge for expedited shipping for long-distance shifts, which is a rush, or a guaranteed delivery date. If you have waited till the last minute and can't accept a tentative delivery schedule, you may be able to negotiate a specific delivery date for an additional charge. Discuss this with the haulers when you get your estimates.

If your move is last-minute and you can’t accept the delivery when the shipment arrives at the destination, you may also pay for short-term storage, also known as Storage-in-Transit. While this is an additional cost, it may be worth it if it helps you alleviate the stress of trying to juggle the uncertainty of being in between two homes. Most haulers are experienced in managing delivery into storage and can deliver to your final destination when you are ready.

Whether it's planned or emergency moves, schedule your haul with Three movers and enjoy a stress-free moving process!

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving. Chris has a keen eye for detail and brings intelligence and passion to every project he’s involved with.

While getting his degree in communications from Santa Clara University, Chris started out with the company working in the field as part of our team of professional moving associates. Following graduation, he was promoted to our main office, where he has thrived in a role that involves increasing responsibility and requires him to wear many different hats. Some days, you may find him answering the phone and providing moving estimates, others he may be writing for our moving blog, and another day he may be coordinating a large corporate moving job or helping us with our marketing efforts. Chris has authored many of our in-depth moving guides, as well as provided our clients with information and advice to handle the complexities of their upcoming moving plans. Simply put, there’s nothing he can’t do and we wouldn’t be where we are today without him.

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