When is the best time to move?
You should move when it is most convenient for you. Factors involved in the decision may include:
- Whether the move must be made immediately.
- Whether family members are engaged in a seasonal activity such as school or a work project
- Summer and the end-of-year holidays are the peak moving seasons and the first and last weeks of the month are extra-busy for all movers. The heaviest demands are placed on vans, equipment and personnel during these periods. Selecting a time other than summer, the end-of-year holidays or the beginning or the end of the month will mean that vans and trained personnel will be more readily available and your preferred delivery schedule can be more readily accommodated.
Is a moving company “licensed”?
Local Moving License
In the State of Washington, a mover must be licensed to operate legally. Meaning a mover must apply for a license and obtain a permit through the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (WUTC). Once the moving company has been issued this permit, they MUST follow all guidelines in the tariff. Any such mover not following these guidelines are subject to fines and/or termination of the permit. For more information we recommend that you read the UTC’s Consumber Guide for Moving in Washington State.
Long Distance Moving
It would be more accurate to say that a moving company is “registered.” For example, Cascade Moving & Storage, Inc. has been issued a certificate of authority by the federal government to move household goods among any of the 50 states. As a motor carrier, Cascade has maintained a certificate of authority with the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
How long does it take to move and how much will it cost?
This depends on many factors, such as the time of year, weather conditions, size of your shipment, time required to load and unload, whether parking permits will be needed, access to goods (ie. steep driveways, low hanging branches, elevators or stairs), length of hallways, size of building, and the direction and distance your shipment is traveling.
For long distance moving the exact cost of your move cannot be determined until after your shipment has been loaded on the van and weighed. If additional services are requested or become necessary after loading and weighing, additional charges will be incurred. Basic transportation charges depend on the actual weight of your goods and the distance they will travel. The total cost will include these transportation costs, any charges for Full-Value Coverage or Depreciated Coverage, plus charges for any “accessorial” services (such as packing and unpacking) performed by the mover at your request. These charges are based on “tariff” rate schedules (see below).
Local moving is charged by time and material, meaning you will only be charged for the actual time it takes to do your move and the actual material used plus travel time. You will be given a written estimate stating how long your move is estimated to take and on move day you will be given a Bill of Lading showing the actual charges for your move.
What is a tariff?
This is the list of rules, regulations, available services and resulting charges used by all motor carriers which provide interstate transportation of household goods. The tariffs are published by each household goods motor carrier and include its various services. The tariffs are available for your inspection upon request.
Note: A local move will have a different tariff than a long distance move.
Do I need an estimate for a local move?
We require an estimate in all circumstances. However, charges for local shipments are generally calculated on an hourly basis and there may be a minimum number of hours required. Please contact us to schedule a free, in-home estimate.
What can I do to save time and money?
You can follow the steps listed in our moving tips
What is your philosophy regarding pricing?
On the wall in our office we have posted the following quote from John Ruskin
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much you lose a little money, and that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.”
We follow the principles in this quote when we develop estimates for prospective customers and when we negotiate contracts and prices with our vendors.