Tips for Selecting a Mover in Chicagoland

You'll probably have a to-do list a mile long as you prepare to make a move to Springs at Weber Road or Springs at Orchard Road. But first, you have to get there.

Choosing a mover in whom you can entrust all your worldly possessions is no small task, but you can de-stress the entire experience and accomplish it with relative ease by following five sensible tips:

Do Your Due Diligence

This is one of those times you may be especially thankful for the Internet. It can give you a telling glimpse into movers located close to your present home and your new one. If a website doesn't teem with useful information — the mover's history, philosophy, pictures of its team, and testimonials from customers — don't spend too long wondering why. Simply move on to the next one.

Once you've narrowed your search to three or five movers, vet the final candidates through the Better Business Bureau and Angie's List, as well as their safety record through the Department of Transportation's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records and their complaint record at the department's “Protect Your Move" site. If you're going to encounter any surprises during your move, this is the point you want to face them — not later on.

Investigate References

Invest the time in phoning at least three references provided by your movers. But remember: they've been vetted, too: to share a “happy story.” For more valuable insight, ask the movers for a name of two of people who were less than satisfied with their moving experience. Your goal? To find out how the mover reconciled problems.

Insist on an In-person Inventory

Every once in awhile, a mover will try to formulate an estimate over the phone. This is a fine place to begin, but there’s no substitute for a walk-through of your home. Only an in-person visit will enable the mover to take a full inventory of your possessions and assess important details, such as how long a large hutch or entertainment center will take to dismantle and put back together and how many wardrobe boxes are necessary to pack up your clothing.

Adopt the Role of Reporter

Zero in on who specifically will be conducting your move — employees of the company or subcontractors. The latter isn't necessarily a bad thing; sometimes moving companies will hire temporary workers to help them navigate busy moving periods. But you should feel confident that whomever will be responsible for your possessions on moving day has been properly screened. Pose any other questions that have surfaced since your search began, and if the mover makes any verbal promises, make sure to document them in writing.

Be Wary of “Guaranteed” Estimates

There are three types of moving contracts. While a “guaranteed” estimate might seem most appealing, it's almost always the most expensive alternative. Still, the numbers might work in your favor instead, especially if the move takes fewer hours than anticipated. Two other types of contracts are more realistic:

• A non-binding estimate, based on weight, usually means that the final price will change if the actual weight differs.
• A non-binding, not-to-exceed estimate puts a cap on the highest price you will be obligated to pay and also allows you to pay less if the actual costs are lower.

The friendly staff at Springs Apartments wants your move to go as smoothly as possible. Our professionals can help you with any facet of your move — right up until moving day.