Even if you find a reliable, full service moving company and you have made all of the preliminary arrangements, there are still some aspects of long distance moves to keep in mind:
– Supervise the loading of the van, just to keep an eye on the proceedings. Are the movers performing their job carefully and efficiently? You should be there in case there are any last-minute questions to answer or documents to sign. You can use this opportunity to make sure that boxes are loaded in the order you want; for example, you can mark the boxes that you need to open first upon arrival, so they would go in the moving van last and can be easily accessed when the van is unloaded.
– Some customers might not know that, like most service industry workers, tips are appreciated and are often counted on to supplement a loading crew’s paycheck. The amount to tip depends on you but $20 per employee is a fair amount for six to eight hours of work, and you should tip them at the end of their service. The driver can be tipped before or after the move is completed and any amount from $50 to $100 is usual. You can also decide to make the tip 10 percent of the total cost of moving.
Get Free Long Distance Moving Quotes Right Now >>>
– Take apart any special equipment that will be moved, to save time and money. The movers can take beds apart but other types of furniture or playground equipment should be ready for removal before the crew arrives. In addition, be sure to disconnect any appliances from gas, water and electric lines, since that is not generally done by movers.
– As a courtesy, you should have cold water and other beverages and snacks available for the crew, especially if it will take most or all of a day to load your household goods. It is hard work and if the weather is warm they will need to stay hydrated. Some customers plan ahead and order pizza or sandwiches for the movers, who might not take a lunch break otherwise.
The cost of tips and refreshments should be part of the total moving budget that you have so that there are no surprises or unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
