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Moving!
As you
move to a different city or transition to a new stage in your life,
finding a professional mover you can trust and cares about you is so
important. Doing research prior to choosing a mover can ensure a safe
and stress free move experience. If you are wondering what the best way
is to choose a mover, follow these guidelines to ensure you make the
right choice:
-
Contact the
Better Business Bureau
or
Oregon Department of Transportation
(ODOT) to confirm a company’s ratings, years in business, license
and insurance
-
Check
out the company’s website for moving tips, company history, safety
awards and testimonials
-
When
the mover conducts your in-home estimate they should be courteous
and thorough
-
Ask
friends, family and colleagues for referrals
It is
important to understand the following information prior to your move:
-
All
moving companies are required by law to provide a
complimentary, no obligation in-home estimate.
Oral or telephone estimates are not permitted.
-
ODOT
requires all movers to provide a pamphlet called
General Information for Moving Household Goods in Oregon
to customers during your in-home estimate which contains important
information for your move. Customers are required to sign a
mandatory receipt acknowledging they have received the pamphlet.
-
Be
cautious if you receive a very low estimate as compared to other
estimates. Confirm all services have been included and are accurate.
-
Binding estimates or guarantees of actual pricing is illegal for all
moves within the State of Oregon. Costs are based on actual time for
local moves or by your shipment’s weight for long-distance moves.
-
If
after discussing your move with the mover you need additional
information or assistance, you may obtain help by contacting
ODOT
at (503) 378-5987.
There
are also ways to ensure a smooth transition during your move as well as
save you time and money. Follow these simple tips to make your move
easier:
-
Evaluate your belongings and choose to keep only the items you truly
love, use and need – the less you move, the more money you will
save.
-
Seek
the assistance of a Professional Organizer or Senior Move Manager to
help you organize your home prior to your move, create a move plan
or manage your move.
-
Understand the space and layout of your new home, and create a floor
plan for furniture placement to ensure the movers can efficiently
move items into appropriate rooms.
-
Color
code your boxes with colored stickers to identify where they should
be placed (blue for kitchen, red for living room, etc.) – this will
help the mover be more efficient which saves time.
-
Local
moves are based on time, therefore, the more preparation you can do
on your own, the more money you will save.
Most
importantly, take time to relax during your move. With proper planning
and a reputable mover, your move can be a pleasant and smooth
experience.
This article
was submitted by David Valencia, a Relocation Consultant with Lile
Moving & Storage, a North American Van Lines Agent. Lile Moving is a
certified woman-owned moving and storage company who cares about their
customers, is involved in their local communities and committed to the
environment. They can be reached at (503) 691-0530 or at
www.lile.net
.
©Beth
Giles April 2011
To receive a printable copy of this
newsletter for distribution, please email
beth@nworganizingsolutions.com |
