Moving Tips Learn How to Get Organized During a House Move | Page 7

Ah, big mistake. Even a move in Perth or across town can be very complicated,
and takes extensive advance planning. There are a huge number of potential
pitfalls, from the wear and tear on your poor body and damage to your
household goods, to unexpected fuel costs. In the end, a do-it-yourself move
may not be as "cheap" or as fun as you thought (that would be about the time
you drop the TV on your foot or discover the truck is fully loaded but a third of
your house is still on the sidewalk). Give yourself plenty of time to research how
you want to move and discover everything that's involved. Talk to friends
who've moved themselves and to movers to get the full picture before you
decide.
You forget about "rush hour"
With almost millions of Australians relocating each year, there can be a moving
"traffic jam" certain times of the year. The most reputable movers get booked
early during the late spring and summer months when half of all moving takes
place, so plan ahead! You don't want your only option to be a less experienced
mover or one who has to hire temporary labor to do your job. Give yourself
enough time -- 3 to 4 months before the scheduled move-in day -- to get moving
estimates and referrals from several companies, to get your family on board
with the idea of moving, and to plan carefully. Ask your mover about
overbooking; some make a habit of taking on too many jobs to make sure they
get enough work. You don't want to be the job they drop the day of the move.
You didn't get an estimate
You don't buy a car or house without knowing its cost and the same should go
for your move. Most movers offer two kinds of estimates, binding or
nonbinding. The nonbinding kind gives you an idea of how much your move
will cost, based on the mover's estimate of the size of your current home and
its contents, and how far you're moving. You get the estimate in writing and can
only be charged 10 percent more than the estimate. A binding estimate is a legal
document that clearly describes the charges, which can't be changed unless you
request significant add-on services (i.e., the movers have to climb three flights
of stairs they didn't know about). Most experts recommend that you get three
estimates, and ask a lot of questions about possible hidden fees. With today's
sky-high gas prices, you don't want a surprise fuel surcharge to blow your
budget. You also don't want to go with the cheapest bid; there is bound to be a
reason that mover is cheaper, and it usually isn't a happy one.