Top Questions to Ask a Moving Company
Selecting a commercial mover is a big decision with important implications for you and your firm. You need a mover with the expertise and infrastructure to get you packed, moved, and back to work with minimal impact to your operation, and without damage to your facilities or fragile equipment.
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Selecting a commercial mover is a big decision with important implications for you and your firm. You need a mover with the expertise and infrastructure to get you packed, moved, and back to work with minimal impact to your operation, and without damage to your facilities or fragile equipment.
- How long have you been in business?
This will let you know if the company is well established or not.
- Can you provide us with a list of referrals?
It is wise to talk to people who have had experience with the company.
- Does your company use full-time employees or pickup help?
You never want to have day labor on an office move.
- Does your company use a project manager on moves and what experience will he/she possess?
A project manager should have many years of industry experience and will have worked through many obstacles. Every move should have a professional project manager. This gives you the assurance that your job will go as planned and that your company will not experience any additional downtime. The project manager is the best person to deliver a quick, flexible solution if any unforeseen challenges arise.
- Can your company help with packing?
Packing can take a lot of employees’ time away from their day-to-day work. This is an area where you should consider the pros and cons of your employees’ time value.
- Do you provide a list of contact people from your company for moving day?
You need to know whether the company has staff available on your moving day. Make sure that this is not just a “sell” for them. In some cases, you can receive the expertise of the salesperson to project manage the move for you.
- Can you give an hourly and fixed flat rate for the job?
A flat rate is the best way to budget your move. It is good to know how long the job is expected to take and the hourly rate. You should expect to pay 15 percent more for a flat-rate job. An hourly job can double should many unforeseen obstacles arise.
- How far in advance do you have to book a move?
This will allow you the time necessary for choosing the best mover for your project, as well as confirming availability during your time frame for the move.
- What happens if we have to change our moving day?
Things do change, and you need a company that will work with you.
- What does your company do about damage claims?
Most movers will provide insurance at a set rate per pound. Additional insurance is always recommended to pursue if you have high-valued items.
Source: John Licata, Managing Partner of Licata Group Real Estate, 36111 Goodwin Drive, Locust Grove, VA 22508. Licata Group is an award-winning, high-producing, boutique residential real estate firm.