What You’re Forgetting to Ask Before Hiring Movers

When you’re hiring movers, there’s likely a list of questions you’ve already worked through during your consultation. The easy ones, like cost, timelines, and whether you should empty your dresser drawers, come to mind quickly.

But what about the questions you didn’t remember to ask? Or, how about the questions you didn’t even know you should ask?

We’ve heard them all, and these are the most common questions people forget to ask before hiring movers.

1. “How do I know I can trust your company?”

Inviting anyone you don’t know into your home can feel risky. You don’t know the company’s policies, where the crew is from, or what kind of insurance coverage they have.

You can answer most of this yourself with a little research. However, we wrote the book on this one, so read all about it on our blog!

2. “What happens if something breaks during my move?”

While we wish this wasn’t a concern, accidents happen. Little Guys Movers crews are trained in best practices to reduce the likelihood of damage, but it’s part of the business. Whether it’s a scratched desk, a scuffed doorway, or something worse, your mover should have a process they can easily explain for handling damage

Typically, your crew lead on site will call it out immediately when it happens. Contact the company’s main office and tell them exactly what happened and how you’d like them to handle it. Sometimes a repair is the best solution; sometimes replacement is the only option.

Either way, the best way to protect yourself is to purchase Full Value Protection (FVP) for your items. Then, if something is damaged, you’re covered for the item’s value, not just a percentage.

For interstate moves, federal regulations require the mover to acknowledge your claim within 30 days and resolve it within 120 days. States have their own requirements that vary.

Learn more at FMCSA.gov.

3. “Will I be charged extra for moving blankets, dollies, or truck use?”

Always ask what’s included in your quoted price when hiring a mover. Rental trucks often charge extra for use of moving equipment, but movers shouldn’t.

At Little Guys Movers, your quote includes the truck, movers, any special equipment, moving blankets, etc., used on your move.

If something costs extra, we’ll discuss it with you in advance.

4. “What’s your policy if it rains on moving day?”

Most moving companies should work rain or shine, unless there is a real weather emergency. Ask what your movers do to protect your belongings in the rain (water + cardboard boxes = a recipe for disaster). Also ask how your move would be rescheduled if the weather is a safety issue.

Record-breaking heat, cold, and precipitation can all factor in, so if you have any control over the time of year, aim for a calm one!

5. “What do I need to do before the movers arrive?”

Depending on the level of service you’re getting, this varies. A full pack-and-move service is exactly that. Most of the time, though, you’ll need to clear pathways, secure pets, and make space for the truck.

For the full answer, read our blog “Packing for a Move: Everything to Know Before Your Movers Arrive.”

6. “How can I be sure your pricing fits my budget?”

Most movers have an estimator tool that gives you a sense of how much you’ll pay for your move. A phone call or free quote form is the best way to get as close as possible to the real number. And if you’re still not sure, call around. You’re hiring this company for a service, not asking them to marry you!

Read all about how different pricing models can affect your final bill

7. “Will the same crew that gave me my estimate show up on moving day?”

This depends on which movers you hire. Some will connect you with your crew leader ahead of your move; others won’t. At Little Guys Movers, we make sure you know the crew who are doing your move. If things change, we’ll let you know.

The real question is whether the estimate can change based on who shows up. When you get an estimate, it’s either non-binding or binding. Binding estimates won’t change unless the inventory changes on move day. Adding or removing items will change your final bill, not who does the actual move.

8. “Do you require full payment before you finish unloading?”

We don’t require full payment until we’ve unloaded your items and we’ve done a full walkthrough together to ensure you’re satisfied. Anything else strays into “rogue mover” territory and isn’t something you should expect from any local or regional mover.

Brokers who sell jobs to the lowest bidder are the biggest source of this fear, and for good reason. When an unknown crew in an unmarked truck rolls up, how the rest of your move goes is up in the air.

9. “How far in advance should I book my move?”

Generally, booking 2 to 4 weeks out ensures you get the move date and time you want. During peak times (weekends, end of the month, summer), you may want to book further out. That said, we understand moves happen for many reasons, and we can work with shorter timelines. We’ve even shown up the same day when circumstances require.

10. “Do you offer storage if my move-in date changes?”

This depends on which Little Guys Movers location you’re moving with. We can absolutely load your stuff into a storage unit for you, but not all shops offer in-house storage.