Last updated 5 days ago
Hiring a moving company is a great way to stay organized and stick to your schedule when moving into a new home. While your movers will have the tools and expertise to handle a variety of aspects of the move, it is also important for you to be fully prepared before your moving company arrives.
In this video, you will learn how to prepare for your moving company. Start by switching utilities to your new home as well as cleaning your new home. This will allow you and your movers to have a comfortable and pleasant experience while unloading your items. You should also ask your movers what you can do to help them get their job done quickly and smoothly.
If you are ready to start the moving process, you can contact the team here at Hollander International. Give us a call today at (888) 749-9029.
Last updated 10 days ago
Are you getting ready to move to a new home? If so, there are a number of different planning elements to consider. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth and successful move is to hire a professional moving company. The right team of movers will provide the right tools and friendly service to quickly and safely transport your belongings to your new home. Following these tips will help you find a reputable moving company:
- Find moving companies in your area. Start your research by finding what moving company options are available to you. You can do an online search, look by phone, or even ask friends, family, and coworkers if they have any suggestions for moving companies. You can also contact the American Moving and Storage Association or check to see if your state has a Movers’ Association to obtain references. Create a list of all of your options so that you can determine which options are best suited for your move.
- Narrow down your list. Next, you will want to call all of the movers on your list and do some research. Make sure to ask each moving company if they are licensed, how long they have been in business, and if they have available reviews or ratings to read. Make your hiring decision ONLY AFTER you have checked all of the mover's credentials, no matter where you received the referral. This will allow you to narrow down your options and make a final decision.
- Discuss rates and prices. After narrowing down your list, you will be ready to start finalizing prices and planning for your actual move. Ask your moving company about their rates and how they apply to your specific situation. It is important to talk about rates and prices so you can determine how your final moving cost breaks down in terms of each service.
- Ask about your responsibilities. Your movers will take care of a number of different tasks during your move, but it is also important to ask about your responsibilities as the client. Your moving company should be able to provide you with an easy-to-read pamphlet or brochure regarding your responsibilities.
You will find all of these qualities here at Hollander International. Give us a call today at (888) 749-9029 to learn more!
Last updated 16 days ago
Illinois Commerce Commission’s police officers, working with state and local police, in one week in April, arrested 23 people operating illegally as household goods movers, issuing administrative and court citations for violations ranging from operating without a household goods license to driving on a suspended license.
The Household Goods Enforcement Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional organization, conducted a “sting operation” in Chicago and several suburban areas to find movers operating without a license or who had violated previous orders to cease and desist operations. Those arrested paid more than $4,200 in fines. Others were jailed or scheduled for administrative proceedings.
Spring is prime moving season in Illinois, and the Illinois Commerce Commission urges anyone planning a move to a new home to prepare well by researching the moving company before packing begins.
The ICC website lists licensed movers and the number of complaints against each company at http://www.icc.illinois.gov/ or you can contact an ICC staff person at 217-782-6448. Intra-state moving companies in Illinois must be licensed by the ICC.
When interviewing a moving company, ask plenty of questions and be sure to check that the company is a licensed household goods mover. Here are five tips for selecting a moving company:
- Research to determine if the mover is properly licensed for the type of service you need. If you are putting your property into storage, be sure the warehouse is licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission. If you are moving to another state the mover must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Ask friends, relatives or business colleagues about movers they have used and liked. Be careful about relying only on references provided by the mover. Never do business with a company with only a phone number and beware of moving companies that advertise on the internet. Aways check out the company’s equipment, buildings and employees. Do they fully answer your questions?
- Require the mover to visit your home to provide a written estimate for the cost of the move. Price quotes over the telephone can be a problem on move day if there was a misunderstanding. For the estimate to be accurate, show the estimator the contents of every room, closet, attic, cellar or garage so he or she can accurately gauge your requirements. A written estimate is not binding quote but it will give you a reasonable expectation of what you will be required to pay on moving day.
- Remember that on moving day you must be prepared to pay 110 percent of the written estimate, and the mover may not withhold your household goods if you pay the amount on the written estimate (plus 10 percent if the estimate is too low). You have 30 days to pay the balance due. Check on your options for loss or damage protection.
- Remember that prices too good to be true probably are. A legitimate, licensed moving company will not demand cash up front before loading your possessions.
