Hiring a Professional Mover

We are avid DIYers with an extremely good support system of family and friends who are more than willing to help us out at the drop of a hat.  They have helped us move multiple times over the years.  The last move we arranged to move most of the small things then hired movers for the large appliances and furniture.  The thing is we as well as our friends are not getting any younger.  Moving involves heavier lifting that is not the easiest on older bodies.  We were so impressed with this arrangement that we decided to hire professional movers for this move. 

Here are a few things to consider when hiring professional movers:

• price - Professional movers charge by the hour per man from the time they leave their home location until they return to their home location.   We are paying $90 per hour for two men plus truck.  We estimate we will be paying for about 8 hours of time.
• liability - You are allowing the movers onto your property to move your possessions from one property to another so it is very important that they are bonded.  Bonded means that they have been screened for criminal activitiy (eg. criminal background check, sexual background check) similar to those needed in any field working with many public sectors and children.  Do not hire anyone that is not bonded.  This is for your protection.  If your property is damaged in any way the movers are legally responsible.  If your property goes missing the movers are legally responsible. 
• timing - Ideally you want your movers to arrive as early in the day as possible.  By the time they are loaded up you should have the keys for your new house.  Keep in mind though that the normal closing time (aka you get the keys) for some lawyers is 4 PM.  In this case line up your movers to arrive with that unloading time in mind.
• be clear - Movers are not mind readers.  If you want certain furniture put into certain rooms in your new house have someone there to ensure the furniture gets put where you want it.  If you don't want them move a certain piece of furniture tell them.  
• make it easy for your movers - Time is money so make it as easy as possible for your movers to get in an out on both ends of the move.  If a door needs to be removed to get larger furniture out, remove it before the movers arrive.  Keep their pathway as clear as possible, doors open and floors protected.

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