Moving is not easy, and at 495 Movers, we aim to make that process easier. Our vision is to provide moving advice and tips to viewers and people all around Maryland, Virginia, and DC about the nuances and insights of the moving industry so you can book better movers, avoid scams, and have a smoother experience.Industry expert Justin Bruni dives into moving tips on how to avoid the top 5 moving myths and misconceptions people make when moving, and how to find reliable movers. Ultimately, it’s about giving you peace of mind as you start a new chapter in your life.
Myth #1: All Moving Quotes Are Final
This simply isn’t true. Many people get a price from another moving company and think that’s going to be their final price. There are lots of variables that control the final price of a moving estimate, including the weight of the items, packing materials, and whether you pack yourself or have the movers handle the packing. The weight of your belongings can greatly impact a moving quote and can go up or down, working in your favor or against you. Companies may also charge for packing materials, either by item or box. You can also choose to pack yourself, which introduces variable costs not included in the moving estimate.Justin says, “What you want to do is get three quotes from three separate movers. This allows you to gauge different levels of service and confirm which company has the most accurate inventory list. Usually, one quote will be an outlier, which can help you spot potential scams.” Be very clear about your responsibility in the estimate. For example, if you tell the mover you will self-pack but end up not getting to it, you need to communicate that to the movers. Also, consider uploading your estimates to a tool like ChatGPT to get an objective third-party breakdown of your quotes and see what companies may leave open for additional costs.Watch for phrases like “binding estimate,” “non-binding,” or “guaranteed to exceed”. Most of these will follow with “based on final inventory and services rendered,” meaning everything can still change.At 495 Movers, everyone is a VIP customer and gets free packing materials, with a lot of labor included, whether you choose to self-pack or not. That kind of transparency and cost control is a valuable asset when choosing a mover.Myth #2: Weekends Are the Best Time to Move
This is simply not true. Most movers charge 20-40% more for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday bookings, and many movers won’t even work on Sundays. You can save by targeting days like Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, though your availability might not allow it.If you need to move on a weekend, book 1.5 to 2 months in advance to secure the date and avoid paying higher last-minute prices. Justin recommends asking your movers, “What days on your calendar can I get a lower price?” Often, there’s a day when they have fewer moves scheduled, which could save you money. Interestingly, Monday is the most common moving day, accounting for 19% of all moves, and Sunday doesn’t even make the top 5.Our vision is to cater to the needs of our customers, not make you cater to our schedule.Myth #3: All Movers Are Licensed and Insured
Unfortunately, that’s not true. Consumer complaints regarding movers nearly doubled from 2015 to 2022, mostly due to unreliable providers pretending to be legitimate moving companies.The right moving advice can help ensure you’re not working with a illegitament mover:- Check their USDOT number online to verify their business address and number of trucks. A company with only one truck claiming to bring multiple trucks is likely not prepared.
- Look up movers on the Better Business Bureau and multiple platforms like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram to see their presence.
- Ask questions and gather as much information as possible before booking.
