Category Archives: New Home Buyers

Insured Movers: Why It’s Important to Hire an Insured Moving Company

There’s moving insurance and there’s movers who are insured—they’re two different things, and when you’re choosing a company to trust with all your worldly possessions, you should understand the importance of hiring a moving company that you know carries adequate and appropriate insurance for themselves, apart from the separate insurance consumers can buy to protect their goods in transit.

In other words, it’s about the legitimacy of the company, not the value of your goods. So what does it mean when a moving company is insured—what’s the value of using that company over one that might have more open dates on the calendar or quote a lower price?

  • Insured companies are real companies. First and foremost, you want a legit, by-the-books company that operates efficiently and transparently. A moving company that can confirm their certificate of insurance for you is the “real deal,” as opposed to an outfit that, at best, does not have the experience and expertise to conduct your move smoothly and skillfully or, at worst, is trying to play you or running a scam.
  • Insured movers protect your assets. Movers with proper insurance coverage are safer—it’s as simple as that. A company that protects its own interests with, for example, auto liability, cargo coverage, and workers compensation, automatically protects your interests in kind. When there’s less risk to the company, this clearly translates to less risk to you.
  • Insurance equates to professionalism and dependability. A company that has the foresight and know-how to secure business insurance shows that they mean business. Generally speaking, it’s a safe bet to assume that a moving company that is competent and conscientious enough to attend to the process of becoming licensed and insured will also be better at planning, coordinating, and organizing for their clients to deliver the best service possible.

At BB&D, we’re proud to make it clear that we are insured. Our branding doesn’t incorporate this feature to give a false sense of professionalism; rather, we want to cement the fact that we are as professional and reliable as they come so that we can bring you the very best in friendly, clear, and exceptional service that surpasses expectations.

Contact us today to learn more about our company policies or for a free estimate:
BB&D Moving Services
301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-390-4040  bbdmoving.com/

How to Avoid Moving Scams

Many people are unaware of moving company scams until it’s too late and the damage has been done. Common scams include being overcharged for services or not being compensated properly for damage to or loss of personal belongings, and these scams are more likely to occur with people who haven’t moved much in their life and therefore don’t have a lot of experience with the moving process. The truth is, the moving industry can be full of scams that the consumer should be aware of before hiring a professional moving company.

FOUR GOOD TIPS TO FOLLOW:

  1. Research moving companies
    Always do your homework first by researching at least three professional moving companies online, including their industry reviews and customer testimonials. It’s also a good idea to get word-of-mouth references from friends and family for reputable moving companies they have experience with and would recommend.
  2. Schedule an on-site visit
    Reputable movers will insist on coming to your location to inspect your household goods so they can estimate bulk and weight. For long-distance residential moves, your movers will also make an inventory list of those goods, including items in your cabinets and closets. Moving prices are based not only on mileage and time needed for transport, but on the weight of your belongings and the number of trucks needed per your particular move.
  3. Be cautious about payment
    Reputable moving companies will not request cash or a large deposit before your move. You generally pay upon delivery. If you pay up front, you have little to no control over whether you will see your belongings again. When it is time for payment, use a credit card to protect against any fraudulent activity.
  4. Confirm the moving company’s name
    Some companies know how to get around the Better Business Bureau and other scam-busting agencies by conducting business under different company names. Be sure to verify the name of the company you choose, along with a local address and information about the company’s licensing and insurance. Additionally, always ask for three references in your own local area that the company has serviced in the past three months.

When hiring a professional mover, to avoid any hidden fees or unexpected charges during your move, ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost of your move and a itemized invoice of all charges on your final bill.

To learn more about moving scams, visit: https://www.movingscam.com/ or https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16917-bbb-tip-moving-scams.

Moving into a new home

Moving into a New Home as a First-Time Buyer

First-time home buyers are often surprised to learn how much work is involved – not only in moving and purchasing a home, but setting it up as well. It can be hard to visualize how to set up a new home if you are not in it yet, so it is best to make a list of essentials and plan ahead of time.

Creating a living space that you are happy to call home can be an involved process, and there will surely be many essentials that you will need right away. After your professional movers have taken care of safely moving your belongings into your new home, there are some essentials you will need:

Carefully Budget Your Expenses
After going to settlement and setting up utilities, it will be time think about home essentials. It is best not want to wait till the last minute, after you move in. First-time homebuyers are sometimes stretched to the limit with expenses, so it’s best not to purchase items on a credit card. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for the expenses by purchasing the essentials beforehand, so you will have them on hand when you arrive. 

Odds & Ends Inside the Home
While you’re taking care of the more important items like food and furniture for your new home, it is easy to forget about the smaller items such as window coverings, curtains, and blinds for the windows. You will also need shower mats, shower curtains, and waste baskets for the bathrooms. Some other essentials include area rugs for your tile or wood floors and floor protectors that stick under furniture legs to protect your new floors from damage. Another good idea is to always have hardware on hand to hang pictures and frames in your home. Another service your professional mover can provide is to hang and mount your flat screen TV. 

Odd & Ends Outside the Home
Setting up house is likely to involve purchasing a few outdoor essentials such as lawn care items, snow removal items, and basic garden tools such as rakes, trimmers, and rubber hoses. You may also need some basic tools for minor repair jobs inside and outside the house such as screwdrivers, hammers, nails, wrenches, a power drill, flashlights, etc.

Hopefully by purchasing these essential items ahead of time, you will be prepared once you move in and won’t have to worry about last minute expenses. Let us know if we can provide any assistance with your move to make it a wonderful experience!

 

6 Tips for Choosing a Reliable Moving Company

Moving can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. What usually begins as excitement about a new home or city can end in frustration and emotional breakdown.

Fortunately, many of today’s moving companies can handle the entire moving process for you – from planning and packing to delivering and setting up. Just make sure you review their policies, procedures, and credentials before you sign on the dotted line.

Here are six tips for selecting a dependable moving company that will do all of your “heavy lifting” for you:

  1. Be sure to choose a mover that doesn’t sub-contract the job. If a moving company hires sub-contractors, they lose control over much of the moving process, and quality can suffer. When reviewing moving companies, be sure to ask if they have full-time staff, and if this full-time staff will be the ones who show up to assist you with your move.
  2. Only choose a mover who offers an on-site estimate. When hiring a mover to handle your belongings, you should never accept an estimate before the mover has been on-site. Nor, for that matter, should they provide one. In order to provide you with an accurate estimate, movers need to visit your current home and review the amount, size, and type of belongings that need to be transported.
  3. Verify that the mover is bonded and insured. Without these credentials, your moving company can’t be held responsible if something should happen to your personal belongings. In addition, they aren’t liable for injuries that happen to their workers or, worse, your family or property. Ask for proof of your mover’s bond and insurance before hiring them.
  4. Get a comprehensive estimate. Paying more than the estimated cost is a surefire way to increase your stress, and that’s exactly what you’re trying to avoid. Before you commit to a mover, find out if there are extra fees for special services, supplies, or labor that goes beyond the scope of the contract. These “little” extras can add up fast. Ideally, everything should be included in the original estimate.
  5. Ask for references. All good movers will be able to offer several references. Speaking to past customers can be a great way to get a feel for the professionalism of a potential mover. You can also check out the Better Business Bureau and the American Moving and Storage Association for insights on any mover you’re researching.
  6. Choose a mover with uniformed and trained employees. When a mover goes the extra mile to provide employees that are fully trained and arrive in uniforms, they show a greater level of professionalism. This kind of attention to detail demonstrates their concern about your home, your safety, and getting the job done correctly.

Now that you know what to look for in a moving company, you can begin researching the movers in your area. It may take some extra time to find the right one for you, but without the burden of doing the move yourself, it’s a safe bet that your investment will be well worth it.