As professional movers in Tampa Bay, we hear a lot of moving stories. Most of the bad ones start the same way: someone got advice that sounded reasonable and turned out to be wrong. Here are four pieces of moving advice we hear regularly, and why each one causes real problems.
Professional Movers in Tampa Bay Warn Against This Bad Moving Advice
“Just pack everything up and go”
Moving is a lengthy process. It requires organization and planning. Chances are, no matter how small your home, you do not realize how much you have. A move is never as simple as loading boxes and driving away. If you want your belongings to arrive safely, your move to run efficiently, and your new place to feel livable within a reasonable amount of time, careful planning is not optional. Poor planning tends to mean months of unpacked boxes, items you cannot locate, and a new home that feels like a storage unit.
“You don’t need insurance”
You almost certainly own at least one or two things you would not want to lose or replace out of pocket. Items get broken or damaged during moves, particularly when people handle the move themselves without experience. What most people do not know is that Florida’s default carrier liability is 60 cents per pound. That means a 50-pound television worth $800 could be covered for $30. That is not insurance in any meaningful sense. Before moving day, ask your mover to walk you through the difference between basic released-value coverage and full-value protection. We do this with every client before we book the job.
“I know a guy”
A personal recommendation is worth something, but it is not worth skipping the basics. Before you hire anyone, get a written estimate, read their reviews, confirm they carry liability coverage, and check that they have a valid US DOT number. Ours is 2349033. A legitimate mover will not hesitate to answer those questions. One who does hesitate is telling you something important.
“You don’t need to write it down”
An inventory list is one of the most useful things you can make before a move. It tells you where things are when you unpack, helps you spot anything missing, and gives you documentation if something is damaged or lost. If you ever need to file a claim, the insurance company will want a record. A list you made before the move is far more useful than a memory you are trying to reconstruct after.
Bad advice is everywhere when it comes to moving. What is the worst piece of moving advice you have ever received? Let us know in the comments.
Sources:
Bad Moving Company Reviews
