When you are going through a move, it is a guaranteed fact that there is a ton of things on your mind. From finding a reliable moving company to transferring your medical records to a new health center, you really do have to think about a lot of things. There is a reason why moving is widely regarded as one of the toughest challenges for an average human being. There are so many things to do. And there are so many things that can go wrong. If you are not careful with planning it, you can really mess things up. One of the things that can go wrong is that sometimes the move may end up damaging your things. Dealing with damages after the move is one of the worst things that you may have to do, but it is a necessity.
But first, is there anything you can do to prevent damage to your items?
Yes. When it comes to hiring moving companies, always check what services they offer. At Verified Movers, you can find countless companies offering a whole variety of services. Asking for packing services is definitely going to increase the odds of your items staying untouched. Also, the movers will pack everything more adequately and they will bring high-quality packing material. If you have some valuable items, like pool tables, pianos, and art collections, always ask your movers for specialty item moving services. By paying a few bucks more, you will increase the chances of your item arriving in pristine condition drastically. Even the tiniest scratches on these precious items can get them irreversibly ruined, so definitely consider using specialty item moving services. That way you won’t have to worry about dealing with damages after the move.
If you are trying to save up some cash, packing everything by yourself is a valid option. But, there are still some things worth mentioning. Acquire packing supplies in great quantities. You can pack your items with used packing materials as well, which can help your moving budget. Fill the boxes with the heaviest items first, and try not to leave empty spaces. This will help the boxes to stay upright and not tip over. Also, if you are moving glassware, make sure to use dividers. They will keep glasses and bowls from colliding with each other. Some packing supplies that are a must to have:
- Packing Paper
- Scissors
- Markers
- Bubble Wrap
- Packing Foil
- Packing peanuts
How to properly inspect for damage
When movers are done carrying the boxes and items into your new home, the first thing you should do is to carefully inspect everything. Look for small tears, scratches, indentations, and all other signs of damage. There might be some other pressing matters to attend to, but inspecting for damage should be done as soon as possible. Pay closer attention to your electronic and large items, like furniture. Check to see whether your wooden furniture has any scrapes or dents, and more importantly, look for tears in the fabric. Be sure to record the process of you opening the boxes and inspecting the items. It will come in handy down the line, should a conflict with your movers arise.
Apart from inspecting your items, make sure that your property itself isn’t damaged. When movers carry items into your home, if they are inexperienced or in rush, they can make scratches in your walls. Also examine all:
- Doors
- Door frames
- Wall corners
- Staircases
- Handrails
So, how to approach dealing with damages after the move?
A lot of factors will influence the answer to this question. First of all, the way you transported your belongings is really important. Did you move by yourself, or did you actually hire a good moving company, such as interstate movers North Dakota? Hiring a good moving company can make your life a lot easier during the move. People tend to underestimate the importance of movers. Those people have either never moved, or had enormous luck when they did move. There is a reason why there are so many moving companies out there. People need their help, especially in the modern world where there are so many things in our homes. Some of those things really do require special care and good movers know how to provide it.
On the other hand, if you have done a DIY relocation, there is nobody else to blame but yourself. This might be one of the biggest drawbacks to moving by yourself because you will have to deal with damages after the move. DIY moves will require you to rent and drive a moving van. Some roads and weather conditions can make even the most experienced drivers unsure. A sharp turn is more likely to cause damage to your belongings. Pair that up with inadequate packing methods, and the odds of your items getting ruined are great. Hiring reputable moving companies will make this scenario much better. You will most likely get compensated if some of your items got damaged during transit.
Why is choosing the right moving insurance important?
When working with reputable moving companies, you will most likely get different types of moving insurance to choose from. You have to agree with one of them before you can sign a deal. Choosing the right moving insurance is important! Don’t ever skimp on insurance and choose the least expensive one. Take a small break and thoroughly go through every kind of insurance the movers are offering you. They will cost differently, but they will also cover different scenarios. If you have expensive, invaluable, and fragile items, it’s best that you use insurance which will get you compensated the best.
All in all, carefully study all types of moving insurance before settling on the one that suits you the most. If, unfortunately, some of your items do get damaged, you will be glad for your insurance. You will get compensated for the value of the broken item. While it’s still a tragedy that some of your items got damaged, getting their worth in money will make everything smoother, and dealing with damages after the move will be easier.
What does a trustworthy moving company bring to the table?
When people think about hiring a moving company, they think about how much money they are going to have to pay the movers. However, it is important to think objectively about the whole thing, as you can get a lot from it. When you hire a proper moving company, a huge, heavy part of your move’s organization will be lifted from your shoulders. Movers can help you out with a lot of things. Besides the obvious “moving things from the old home to a new home”, they can also help you with packing your belongings, for instance. This can actually be really important as it can prevent you from having to deal with damages after the move.
It is important that you understand the whole process properly before you even hire a moving company. A good moving company will provide you with the necessary help in a really useful way. You will be happy that you hired them. However, hiring the wrong company means that you may end up in all sorts of trouble. This can mean that dealing with damages after the move may be a real nightmare. That is why doing your homework on the reliability of a particular moving company can mean all the difference between hiring responsible cross country movers New Mexico instead of hiring some bogus movers that may scam you in some way.
How to make sure that your moving company of choice is a legitimate one?
As we have already mentioned, hiring a reputable and legitimate moving company is crucial. However, from the never-ending sea of choices, how can you pick the right one for you? First, go through the services they offer. If you have some fragile and precious items, check if they offer specialty item moving services, such as auto moving, fine art moving, etc. Don’t be afraid to contact them and ask whether they can carefully move these kinds of items. Good moving companies are friendly and they will reply and try to help you in every possible way.
However, when you want to see whether a moving company is fraudulent, reviews are your friend! Always, and we mean always, browse through the reviews and ratings of a company before hiring them. Good companies leave happy and satisfied customers, which in turn leave high ratings and positive reviews. If a company has low ratings and frequent negative reviews, feel free to look for an alternative. Dealing with damages after the move will be a lot harder if you are working with an untrusted and ill-managed company.
You will need an inventory list
This is a really important thing that you should do before the moving process actually begins. It is a really simple thing that can make a whole lot of difference. In order to be able to deal with damages after the move, you should have a clear picture of the condition of your belongings before the move. Making an inventory list is the best way to do this. Take a piece of paper (or you can do it on a computer) and take a detailed list of all of your belongings that are going to be moved. We would advise you to make a separate list for each room in your home. If you do it this way, you can actually make packing and unpacking easier on yourself.
How? Simply mark every box with a letter that designates the room that it belongs to. Then mark each box of one room with numbers. Then you can note in which box you did you put which thing on the list. But, to return to the question in point – how to deal with damages after the move? Once you make your inventory list, go over it with your moving companies representative. Determine the worth of each of your items and have that list officially confirmed by the company’s representative. Now, if your things do pick up damage during the move, you have a strong base to start from.
Photographic and video proof is really important
As is the case in any other type of legal procedure that involves the break of commitment between two or more sides, you will need proof. So, while you are going over the inventory list with the executive mover, you should take photos or videos of your belongings. This is for your own protection, so make sure that you do this responsibly. When you start unpacking, you should also film the whole process so that if there are damages to your things, you have stellar proof of them being caused by the move.
Pictures, photographs, and even better, videos, are the best way to ensure that you get compensated. Just show these pieces of evidence to your movers, and you will be a step closer to getting compensated. Usually, after showing the pictures and videos to your mover, they will get in contact with you to agree on a sum of money. It is in the moving company’s interest to pay up for the damages they caused. Otherwise, things might become ugly, and with your solid proof, there is no way you can lose.
Talk to the movers first, then opt for more drastic measures
Sometimes, sadly, dealing with damages after the move means filing a moving complaint which can turn into a lawsuit. However, make sure that you first talk directly to the moving company and see what their insurance can offer you. Do this in a friendly way as that will increase the chances of a positive response. If that does not work, you should contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They regulate the moving industry, so they can be very helpful. They have developed a clear system of dealing with damages after the move, so their help may often be just the thing that you need. It’s best that you don’t rush these things and stay in control. It might take some time, but with enough mental will and determination, you will get compensated soon enough.