Movers Near Me San Antonio
Published by Chris Townsend
Moving Companies Near Me San Antonio
If you live near San Antonio, you know how popular it has become. More people have been moving in than out for the last ten years, and the trend doesn't show any indication of stopping. That can mean more opportunities for people to move up, out, or just around in the general area, or maybe you are one of the small number of residents planning to leave Texas for another state altogether. No matter why you are looking for a moving company near San Antonio, you are in the right place.
How do I find a mover near San Antonio?
Start by developing your move plan. A local move isn't as complicated as a long-distance move (you can go back if you forget something), but you need a plan for either kind. Here are some things to add to your to-do list:
Ask friends and family for recommendations. If you know anyone who has moved recently, ask what movers in San Antonio they used and if they would use them again for their moving service as a repeat customers. If you can't find any ideas this way, expand your circle. Ask at work—your human resources or procurement department might have referrals for moving companies they use for office moves or when they need to relocate employees or as a repeat customers.
Once you have some names of reliable San Antonio movers, that’s when you begin the research. You can start with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which tracks reviews and complaints about all kinds of businesses. If the mover you are considering conducts interstate moves (most do), it will register with FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA tracks safety records and complaint history for interstate movers and offers helpful resources for consumers planning moves. One of the publications FMCSA offers is a detailed pamphlet called Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, which tells you just about everything about movers nationwide background check you need to know about partial and full service moving, and how to protect yourself from dishonest vendors.
Next, get estimates.
When you narrow down your choices using the resources above, invite at least three potential professional movers to provide you with moving estimates. The free estimate is the foundation of the moving contract, and seeing how the San Antonio moving company works on it will show you more about how they work. For example, expect each potential service provider to visit your residence and walk through it to see everything that you want to move and get the packing supplies needed available. For interstate moves, or a move from San Marcos to San Diego, this step is required by the FMCSA regulations. While it is not mandatory for a local move, it is necessary to build a legitimate move quote, and you should insist on it. If you are in talks with a company that balks at this, move on to the next for a free quote and high quality moving.
When the mover’s representative does the walkthrough, he will create an inventory (sometimes referred to as a cube sheet or a table of measurements) that lists everything going in the truck. You want to ensure that this list is accurate and comprehensive because it provides the basis for the weight estimate in an interstate move or the time forecast for a local move.
What kind of estimate is best?
Weight is the basis of the cost of an interstate move. The average interstate transfer for a three-bedroom house is about 7,500 pounds, and the price is approximately $4,100, for a distance of 1,250 miles. Your move may cost more or less, depending on the weight, length, and additional services you engage the mover to perform for you—more on those in a minute. A local move will cost less in most cases, and the price quote you get will be based on how much time the mover thinks it will take to load up, drive to the new home, and unload. If the moving company gives you a standard, non-binding estimate, the accuracy takes on a high level of importance because if the weight is higher than the forecast, the price will also be higher. If the estimate is binding, then the price on the quote is the price you will pay, as long as you don't add anything to the shipment or require additional services.
One caution about any estimate is that there are circumstances that allow the mover to add fees. You can read all about these in the mover’s tariff, which describes all potential charges related to a move. If you add services, like packing, the mover will revise the estimate. If you need to add storage or an additional stop along the way to the destination, the mover will change the estimate. Remember never to sign a blank or incomplete document. A reputable mover will not ask you to do so or tell you that he will "fill it in later." If you are moving a long distance, there may be conditions at the destination you and the moving company are not aware of, which sometimes result in added charges. Movers call these impracticable operations, and these are described in the tariff. A typical example is a condo complex that prohibits the truck from parking in front to unload, which results in the need for a shuttle with a smaller vehicle. Unanticipated stairs or a steep winding driveway, which cause the movers' crew to carry things farther, are also illustrative.
What else should I ask the movers about before I decide?
FMCSA recommends that you talk to potential moving companies about several essential things, besides the cost of the move itself.
- Mover’s liability. For an interstate move, the company will offer you a choice of two valuation options to protect your goods while being transported. Review the choices carefully and choose the one you think is best for you. Ensure that you understand the limitations, especially if you have any individual items that are of high value. Never include anything in the shipment that is irreplaceable. For any move, whether local or long-distance, find out if your moving company has adequate corporate liability insurance, worker's compensation, and hazard protection.
- Arbitration and dispute settlement. Moving is a business where disputes sometimes occur. How does the mover handle them, and how satisfied are their past customers when things get resolved? You probably want to pick a company that accepts the reality that it’s an imperfect world and is willing to make things right when something goes awry.
- What won’t they take in the truck? It’s important to know that some items are not permitted in moving trucks. If you deliberately or even inadvertently pack hazardous materials, you may end up invalidating your coverage if what you packed causes a fire or explosion. Prohibited items include the obvious things like ammunition, propane, and fireworks, but also articles you might not think of, like charcoal, bleach, household cleaners, paint, nail polish remover, and even aerosol cans.
The bottom line for finding the right mover near San Antonio area is that whether your move is local or long-distance, you will need to do some research before choosing. There are plenty of honest, well-qualified San Antonio Tx moving companies ready to help you. It's up to you to talk to them, determine what moving services you need and want to pay for, and then decide which one makes sense for you to work with in the moving industry for a stress free experience. Protect yourself against disreputable local movers by asking the right questions about your moving process, being prepared, and not cutting corners. In the end, the time you spend getting ready will make a move easier and more successful. At Three Movers moving company, we conduct your interstate and cross town move in timely manner while you sit back and enjoy with your family and friends.
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