Your moving experience can vary from one company to another. How will you know which company to use? More importantly, learn how to read and compare estimates from different moving companies.

American Legion Movers is proud to present the ultimate guide to choosing the right moving company.

The Checklist

• Is the company licensed, insured and certified?
• Is the company a PRO MOVER certified?
• How many complaints does the company have?

Choose Companies that Have High Ratings without Complaints

• Does the company have Worker’s Comp and General Liability?
• Does the company has any complaints with the FMCSA?
• How knowledgeable was your consultant? Be aware if your consultant is trying to avoid answering certain questions or is not asking the right questions that will help him/her accurately estimate your moving needs.
• Research the company on-line, find reviews written by actual customers and not the employees of the company. Be aware if the company has too many reviews on a single day.

How to Compare Estimates

• When moving Locally, how many hours does the consultant estimate for the move?
• If you are moving Long Distance, what is the estimated weight for your move?
• How many men does the estimate include? If you have stairs, long carry or large heavy items such as a piano, use a minimum of 3 men team. This will guarantee that the job is getting done as fast as possible.
• What other extra charges does the estimate include, such as long carry, stairs, and fuel charges? Make sure that you are aware of all the extras before making a decision.
• In most cases a low hourly rate/price per pound means extra charges. Be careful if your quote is lower than the average quotes you are getting.
• Is there a minimum of hours or weight that you are obligated for? If your consultant cannot ask the right questions and only quote you for the minimum hours or weight that the company charge, be very careful because your budget for the move will not be accurate.
• Make sure the estimate shows what certifications the company has. It is very important to see this on the estimate. 
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: if the estimate has too much red text and looks busy and confusing, there is a 90% that it is.

Even the most organized people among us tend to forget things sometimes. Moving is a demanding task. Trying to keep up with the moving process, work, and your family is quite a task. American Legion Movers understands the situation. We help thousands of people move each year and we are experiencing the move with our customers. Because of this, we have created the list below as an additional tool to help you organize your move.

• Plants & Pets – Remember, when moving out of state, plants and pets cannot be safely transported. Make sure you have arranged proper solutions and transportation for your pets and plants.
• DVDs, Books, and Dry Cleaning – Items such as these are easily forgotten and can be a hassle to return or to get back. Call your local DVD store, Library, Dry Cleaner and check with them for items that need to be returned or picked up.
• Records / Important Papers – Issuing and obtaining medical and educational records is very important—especially when moving to another state.
• Hidden Jewelry and Valuables – Who among us has not buried and stashed away, money, jewelry and valuable items. Prior to your move, dig up all hidden treasures and valuables. If you can deposit them with your bank then do so. Make sure you have items you have to take with you secured at all times until you have reached your new residence.
• Garage Door Opener – Most people will forget to take the garage door opener out of their car and/or leave it with the realtor for the new owner.
• Keys – Make sure you have collected all spare keys and electronic openers from family members, neighbors and relatives. Typically, the realtor will deliver them to the new owner. In some cases the owner will pick them up himself.
• Cleaning After the Move – If you plan on doing the cleaning of the residence yourself make sure you set aside cleaning equipment such as a vacuum, rags, broom, bucket, etc.

You may think that all you need for your move is a few empty boxes and an empty backseat. While those things will help, there’s much more needed when preparing to relocate. To ensure that you have all of the supplies that you need, here are a few things your favorite moving services company in your area, wants you to remember.

PACKING PAPER

These rolls and sheets of unprinted newsprint are perfect for wrapping your dishes, picture frames, and glasses. To use, wrap any of your delicate items in the packing paper to ensure that they don’t break while in transit to your next place. You can also use packing paper to pad any boxes that have extra space. This keeps things from rattling around or tipping over during the trip.

BUBBLE WRAP

Along with being able to pop it when you get bored, bubble wrap is crucial when moving. For items that are extremely fragile, use bubble wrap instead of packing tape. Your fine china or glass sculptures should be wrapped multiple times to ensure that they’re safely padded, preventing breakage.

PACKING LABELS

Sure, you can throw all of your belongings willy-nilly into boxes and sort through them when you get to your new place. But, why do that to yourself? Pack up each of the rooms of your home, place the contents in coordinating boxes, and label them. Make sure you label as you pack so that you don’t get any boxes mixed up. You’ll find it much easier to unload and unpack boxes if you know exactly which boxes go in which rooms.

A PROFESSIONAL MOVER

This may not be a supply, but it’s still essential. A professional moving company is a “must” for anyone who is getting ready to move. Whether your new place is in the same town or across state lines, a professional mover will make your relocation simple and easy. With the use of trucks, dollies, and equipment, your belongings will be packed, loaded, and on the road before you know it.

CLIPBOARD

An organized move is a smooth move. Invest in a clipboard and make a list of all of the things that you need to do in order to prepare for moving day. Then, make another list that includes all of the things that should happen on the day of your move. Making a list and keeping it close is the best way to keep from forgetting things. You can also keep any necessary documents attached to your clipboard, including rental documents or the keys to your new place.

Moving to a new home, city, or state can be an exciting new beginning, and it all starts with the big move. The longer you’ve been in your current home, the bigger this project becomes, and you need to map out a moving plan in order to avoid forgetting the small-but-important details. There are many things you should do in preparation for a successful move, but there are also other things you should avoid in order to save yourself a lot of time and headache. Read on for moving tips, mistakes to avoid, and other expert advice on household moving in your area.

NOT LEAVING ENOUGH TIME

One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving is not leaving enough time to take care of things in an orderly fashion. Leaving everything until a few days before the move is sure to guarantee a stressful, disorganized experience. Instead, create a timeline that begins several weeks before your move that allows you to organize your belongings, get rid of unwanted items, carefully pack and label things, clean your home, and feel like you have things under control.

TRYING TO MOVE EVERYTHING

Rather than throwing everything you own into boxes and deciding what to do with all of it when you get there, it’s smarter to organize things before you move and get rid of anything you no longer need. Create designated piles for trash, donations, and things to give to someone else, and only keep the things you love and need in your new home. This will save you from going through all your belongings again after you’ve moved, and it will save you space and boxes on the moving truck.

UNDERESTIMATING THE BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL MOVERS

Many people believe the common misconception that professional movers are an unnecessary expense. The reality is that moving large furniture and certain items on your own is tiring and often hazardous. Unlike moving companies that have experience and insurance, any damage you cause is entirely for you to handle.

PACKING INCORRECTLY

While there is no single packing technique that works for every situation, a common mistake is not packing items securely enough. Don’t skimp on the bubble wrap, newspaper, or other padding when it comes to dishes, glassware, or other fragile items. It’s easy to lose track of certain boxes and items in the chaos of a move, so it is better to make sure all your belongings are safe and secure even if they end up out of sight for a while.