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Wanderant Movers Moving is a big life event. Whether you're moving to a new place or just rearranging your furniture, it can be stressful and difficult. NYC's Top-Rated Moving Company No move will ever be...
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How to Hire A Trusted & Licensed Mover

Hiring a moving company can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never hired movers before. With tons of moving scams out there, it’s hard to tell who is trustworthy and who’s not. That being said, you can’t tell a good company from a bad one from its name alone. Some rogue movers have even stepped up their game by imitating the way legitimate ones talk and operate.

However, you shouldn’t worry too much. This article exists as a guide on how you can find reliable movers. Make sure to read until the end!

Identify Common Moving Scams

No matter the size, a move will always be a hassle and a significant source of stress. Knowing this, prevention is better than cure. It’s best to educate yourself on what to expect from dishonest movers before they can even try to rip your pockets. Below are some of the most common moving scams, so be on guard against them.

  • The movers give you a cheap price that sounds too good to be true. This is just their way of baiting you to sign the deal. Once done, they’ll either take off with your money or hold your belongings hostage.
  • The contracts they provide are either blank, confusing, or incomplete. Some rogue movers only make you sign for formality, or they use complex words to make you agree to something you don’t fully understand. Be sure to read the contract twice — thrice if you have to!
  • The movers ask you to pay a large deposit. Keep your money. No legit moving company will ask you to pay until your move has been completed satisfactorily.
  • They phone over your estimate. This primarily applies to long distance moves. By law, an interstate mover must provide an in-home estimate. Credible movers will always evaluate a home in person. How can they provide an accurate price without seeing your stuff?

While these things are typical for most rogue movers, some still utilize cunning methods to lure you into their trap. This brings you to the next precaution to take.

Check Your Moving Company’s Legibility

Identifying the red flags is just half of the homework. Any professional moving company, no matter how small, should have a license to operate. It’s legal proof that they know what they’re doing and that the government trusts them to do their job without any fraud.

Here are some tips on how to check for your movers’ license and credibility.

  • Ask for their USDOT number if you’re moving out of state. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) only grants this number to movers without any record of fraudulent activity and has complied with every legal requirement set by the department. After obtaining it, you can run the number on the mover search tool.
  • Refer to the BBB. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit private org that aims to expose every rogue mover in existence. Reach them out and provide your potential company’s name so they can run it on their database to see if there’s any unfavorable record or complaints.
  • Reach out to your state. While the USDOT number applies to interstate moves, you should request info about your movers from your transportation department for local moves.
  • Evaluate your mover’s online presence. Rogue movers are like assassins. They like to leave you empty-handed without a trace. That said, the last thing they want to happen is to be found on the Internet. Check your mover’s website if it’s up-to-date, well-written, and contains valid reviews from actual customers.

Discuss Liability Coverage

Whether you’re moving cross country or even just a few blocks away, you want to ensure that your belongings are properly cared for to avoid damage or getting lost in transit. Admit it. Even the top 10 movers in NYC can’t guarantee that they’ll do the job perfectly at all times. They’re just humans like you, after all. That’s why it’s best to protect yourself first in case things go south.

In light of these, there two common moving insurance you should be aware of.

  • General liability coverage – this is the most basic type of insurance that every mover is obliged to provide. It’s free, but it doesn’t assure you much, with only $0.60 per pound of lost or damaged item as compensation. Definitely not the best way to protect your $1000 widescreen TV.
  • Full-value protection – Opposite to general liability coverage, full-value protection obliges your movers to pay or replace your item’s actual value completely. Of course, you’ll have to pay a premium to keep it insured. That said, it’s best to get this coverage for your expensive appliances and furniture for your peace of mind.

Wrapping Up

Looking for a moving company isn’t difficult. There are tons of them everywhere. However, finding affordable yet reliable movers can be challenging. But not to worry. Just follow the tips above, don’t neglect your research, and you’ll be golden.

Moving From NYC to Orlando On A Budget

Whether you’re switching neighborhoods or moving across the country, the process will always be a chaotic one. Prepare yourself for stress, surprises, and extra expenses. It becomes even more challenging if you’re moving out of a bustling city like New York. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to save money and energy during a move. But the secret lies in planning ahead. Don’t worry. This guide exists to help you out. Here’s how you can smoothly move from NYC to Orlando without compromising your wallet.

Plan Ahead

While you’re only moving within the East Coast, this isn’t some tiny move. You’ll be traveling more than 1000 miles from the busiest city in the north to the second largest metro in the south. It’s best to come prepared and minimize the hassle as much as possible. Here are some ways to plan your upcoming move:

  • Create a moving checklistThis will serve as your guide so that you can immediately jump from one task to the next. It also ensures that you won’t forget anything important
  • Draft a realistic timeline. You won’t be finishing an operation this big in a single day. Divide your move into phases and allocate each one into separate days.
  • Prioritize tasks. Focus on the important things that need to get done first, such as getting in touch with a mover, packing, transferring utilities, securing documents, etc.
  • Do your research. The time to learn more about Orlando is before you get there. Find out about the city’s cost of living, culture, neighborhoods, and job opportunities.

Keep in mind that your plan doesn’t have to be that comprehensive or detailed. As long as it shows you a clear path to your goal, you’re on your way to a successful relocation.

Hire a Moving Company

When it comes to moving, many people only see movers as extra expenses. This forces them to shy away and then try to pull off the move on their own. It can then result in massive delays, property damage, or injuries. If it happens, you’ll be paying more on hospital bills and repairs instead.

That said, finding a reliable yet affordable moving company won’t be an easy task. It’s either reliable and expensive or cheap but irresponsible. No worries, though. Patience is the key to success. Don’t skip on doing research, comparing multiple company quotes, and making sure the local Orlando moving service you hire is legitimate.

Declutter, Downsize, and Donate

You might not own a lot of stuff while living in New York. However, it doesn’t mean you should bring every asset you own to Orlando. Aside from being a hassle, it increases your shipment load resulting in a higher final cost.

That’s why you should do your best to purge before moving. Let go of stuff you haven’t used in the past six months. There’s no need to ship ten different spatulas when you barely even cook. Plus, it’s time to get rid of broken appliances and furniture. You can always buy a new one in Orlando.

Now that you’ve got everything organized, what to do with the things you plan on leaving behind? First, try to sell them. A yard sale will be out of the equation if you live in an apartment. But worry not. You can easily find lots of online marketplaces to display your goodies.

As for the stuff that didn’t sell, you better donate them. Give your children’s old toys to your neighbor’s kid. Send your extra clothes to your local orphanage. Feed the homeless. It might not seem much, but it’s enough to carve smiles on those that need them most.

Packing Tips

Packing is where you can save a lot during a move. Existing home materials can easily substitute most packing supplies from the store. Here are some examples:

  • Instead of buying moving blankets, use old sheets and linen to pad furniture.
  • Ask for moving boxes from your office or neighbors, and if they don’t have any spare, purchase in bulk for a discount from your local grocery store.
  • Prepare a dedicated box containing essentials to help you survive the first few nights in your new home.
  • Use old newspapers to wrap breakables instead of buying packing paper.
  • Load your dresser/wardrobe as is to save time.
  • If you’re a bookworm, put your books inside a trolley or suitcase.
  • Invest in sectioned boxes to ensure your glasses are safe during transit.

Time Your Move

Before you proceed, know that this tip is only optional. Don’t force yourself if you can’t help it. Still, it’s an excellent course of action if you’re keen on saving money. See, moving companies and even truck rentals have off and peak seasons. This means you’ll want to move during fall and winter when moving isn’t in demand and rates are lower than average. On the contrary, moving during summer or September (school season) will certainly break your budget as moving orders skyrocket.

Moving to NYC to Orlando 

While things might seem uncertain, this could be the greatest move of your life. A new job, new friends, new workplaces, and hobbies await you in Orlando. Hang on tight. This is going to be a wild ride. Make sure to enjoy every moment of it.