Moving home is simultaneously one of the most exciting and stressful times of anyone’s life. Add a global pandemic into the mix and it’s enough to make anyone question moving. The good news is that when you hire reliable movers in Boulder, it takes a great deal of the stress off your shoulders.
Whether you’re moving across town or long distance and need some hiring moving company tips, here’s everything you need to know.
Hiring local movers VS doing it yourself
If you’re moving during the pandemic, you might be toying with the idea of transporting your belongings yourself. There are pros and cons of hiring a moving firm and doing it yourself – let’s compare the two.
Pros of hiring local movers
- Less chance of belongings getting damaged
- Takes some of the stress out of moving
- Makes moving quicker
- Belongings are protected by insurance
- All precautions are taken to minimize the risk of covid 19
Cons of hiring local movers
- You have slightly less flexibility with the timetable
- It costs to hire professional moving companies
Pros of doing it yourself
- No cost of hiring a mover – but you will need to hire a van or rope a lot of friends in
- More flexibility – there’s no one waiting on you to stick to your moving timetable
Cons of doing it yourself
- Putting boxes and large belongings in a moving truck is hard work
- You have a higher chance of something getting broken
- Your belongings aren’t insured during the move
- You run the risk of injuring yourself when moving large belongings
It’s pretty clear that there are more cons to doing it yourself than hiring a moving company. You’ll save yourself time, energy, and a lot of stress by entrusting this part of your move to the pros.
How to choose local movers
Not all moving companies are the same. Some are unreliable, not careful with belongings, and difficult to work with. That’s why it’s very important to find local moving companies you can depend on. Here are some tips for finding the best local movers in Boulder, Colorado:
Get recommendations
Do you know anyone who has recently moved? Ask them about their experience with their moving services. If not, find a community group in Boulder and ask for recommendations. If someone is willing to recommend someone, chances are they are a reliable company.
Do a quick background check on each company
Even if you’ve got a recommendation, still do your own research. Do they have online reviews? Does their website look professional? A quick background check will ensure you’ve found moving services you can trust with your belongings.
Ask for estimates
Reputable moving companies will happily give you an estimate for your move. This will give you a rough idea of what the cost will be. If they’re unwilling to give you estimates or moving quotes, are they trustworthy?
Review and compare the estimates
Find a couple of different moving companies in Boulder and get an estimate from each. Who offers the best price? What extras do each company include to make it good value for money? What level of insurance is included? How many team members will be involved? Compare all of these factors to get the best deal.
Make sure your moving company is licensed and insured
It is vital that the moving company you hire is fully insured and licensed. If the worst should happen and there is an accident, you need to know all of your belongings are insured.
How to protect yourself against bad local movers
The best way to protect yourself against bad movers is to avoid them altogether. If you follow our steps above, you’ll be in a much better position to choose a reliable, reputable mover company that won’t let you down.
To make sure you are totally protected, make sure to get a full quote in advance and a signed contract. This will stop any company from charging you extra after the move, which many untrustworthy moving firms do.
Yes, moving companies will disassemble large pieces of furniture to move them. This usually includes bed frames, large dining tables, vanities, etc. This makes it much easier to move and transport these items safely.
FAQs
Tipping local movers: How much is enough?
Tipping your moving team is optional and depends on whether you’re happy with your service. If you are, 5-10% of the cost is sufficient for small cross-town moves. Whereas 15-20% is more appropriate for long-distance moves.
What questions to ask when hiring a moving company?
Before you sign any contracts, here are some basic questions you should ask any moving company. If they have a hard time answering any of these questions or give you vague answers, be wary:
- What’s your registration number?
- What’s the total cost of the move including all fees?
- Do you use subcontractors on moving day?
- Will there be transfers between vehicles?
- What does your insurance cover?
- Do you offer packing and storage services?
- How do you handle claims or complaints?
- Do you have testimonials from past clients?
What to know before hiring a moving company?
There are four things you should be confident about before you commit to any moving company in Boulder:
- Proof of insurance and licenses
- A full breakdown of the moving cost in writing
- If there are any additional or hidden fees
- If the company has any claims or complaints against them
Should you help your movers?
You won’t be expected to help the mover load your items onto the trucks. If you’d like to help your mover, talk to them in advance and see if they are happy for you to do so.
Do movers disassemble beds?
Yes, moving companies will disassemble large pieces of furniture to move them. This usually includes bed frames, large dining tables, vanities, etc. This makes it much easier to move and transport these items safely.
Do you feed movers?
You’re not required to feed your movers, but if the job is large and they’ll be with you for a few hours, they will be grateful for snacks! If not, be prepared to allow them a lunch break around midday.
What to feed a moving crew?
This is completely up to you, but some fan favorites include pizza, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and water.
Do movers load boxes or furniture first?
The largest items are loaded first since these will be the most difficult to fit on the truck. This is usually large pieces of furniture like wardrobes, vanities, chest of drawers, etc. After these are secured, boxes will be loaded after to fill in the gaps.
Need a Reliable Local Mover in Boulder?
We are a full-service moving company in Boulder, here to help you take the stress out of moving. We’d love to talk to you about your move, so contact us now for a free moving estimate.