South Florida Moving Company

A FREE MOVER’S CHECKLIST TO SAVEYOU TIME PLANNING YOUR MOVE

COMPASS MOVING’STOP EIGHT TIPS OTHERMOVING COMPANIESDON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

FLORIDA’S MOST TRUSTED MOVERS... SINCE 1962

Overview:The following tips are provided to ease the stress that often accompanies a move. If you follow these helpful recommenda-tions, you can save time, money and earn a little peace of mind during your upcoming move. Compass Moving and Storage is here to help you—regardless of whether you choose to move with us or not.

Since 1962, we’ve moved more than 10,000 families throughout North America! We want your move to be a pleasant experience! So, if you have a general moving question, please give us a call.

Investigate your potential movers through the U.S. Department of Transportation, MovingScam-dot-com and the Better Business Bureau. By conducting a little research online, you’ll expose the “rogue” movers and identify the most reputable ones.

1: Do a Little Online Homework-

Get referrals from local real estate agents, friends or family memebers who have moved recently. There are quite a few companies in South Florida and some of the best recommendations come from trusted family and friends. If you don’t know anyone that has made a move recently, ask the company to provide you with references so you can call these people directly.

2: Get A Few Referrals-

Unfortunately, there are several “Fly by Night” companies out there that do not have the proper licensing and insurance. If something should go wrong, there’s really very little that you can do. Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured. And ask them to prove it by putting it in writing.

3: Ask for Licensing and Other Credentials-

If you choose to hire professional movers, do your research and hire good ones. Poor quality movers really can be worse than none at all. Ask them how long they’ve been in business and how many moves they’ve made.

4: Only Hire a Reputable, Established Company-

Statistically speaking, moving can be one of the most stressful events of a person’s life. Don’t just jump at the �rst quote you get in the interest of time. Evaluate a minimum of 3 movers based on in-home estimates. In order for any reputable company to give you an accurate price, they should schedule an on-site visit and be willing to provide you with a quote at the time of their visit.

5: Get At Least Three “In-Home” Estimates-

Price isn't the only factor. Extremely low bids often indicate a desperate mover. As we mentioned above, make sure to get a written, in-home estimate that details the complete cost of the move. This approach may save you money and lots of head-aches

7: Don’t Be Fooled by the Lowest PricedQuote Strategy-

In some cases, certain companies will bait you with a low-price estimate, but then after they’ve packed a transported your good to your location, they demand fees that can often be more than twice the original quote. Unfortunately, this happens far too often, and if you don’t pay them, they’ll take your contents back to the warehouse where they’ll charge you a fee to “store” them—until you pay! It’s important that you ask for a written "Binding Not-To-Exceed" estimate.

6: Demand a "Binding Not-To-Exceed" Clause-

South Florida has it’s fair share of less-than-professional businesses and the moving industry is no exception. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts! Never agree to move your possessions with anyone you don’t trust. Get everything in writing along with a “Binding Not To Exceed” clause.

On the next few pages, we’ve provided you with a handy checklist to use as part of your pre-move planning. We hope you �nd it useful and if you have any questions, give us a call. We’re here to help!

8: Avoid "Rogue Movers"-

TIPS

www.compassmovingmiami.com2

COMPASS MOVING AND STORAGEHQ: (305) 688–2511 * Weston: 954-417-7750 * Coral Springs: 954-603-8550 * Boca Raton: 954-948-5020

Two Months Before

BONUS CHECKLISTS TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR MOVE(Courtesy: Real Simple)

Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage.

Sort and purge.

Start investigating moving company options. Do not rely on a quote over the phone; request an on-site estimate. Get an estimate in writing from each company, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it.

Research.

Use this binder to keep track of everything—all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.

Create a moving binder.

If applicable, go to your children’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.

Organize school records.

One Month Before

Select a company and get written con�rmation of your moving date, costs, and other details.

Choose your mover and con�rm the arrangements.

Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the wa�e iron and croquet set. While packing, note items of special value that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound, such as a computer.

Begin packing.

Clearly label and number each box with its contents and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.

Label.

Add items such as jewelry and important �les to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home. Make sure to put the mover’s estimate in this box. You’ll need it for reference on moving day.

Separate valuables.

Go to your local post o�ce and �ll out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.gov. But in case there are strag-glers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbor to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with him or her two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.

Do a change of address.

Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage �rms, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, and credit card, insurance, and utility companies.

Notify important parties.

Arrange for medical records to be sent to any new health-care providers or obtain copies of them yourself. Ask for referrals.

Forward medical records.

Six Weeks Before

Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, Bubble Wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order specialty containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.

Order supplies.Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.

Use it or lose it.Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will �t through the door.

Take measurements.



Two Weeks Before



Notify your o�ce that you plan to supervise the move and therefore need the day o�.

Arrange to be o� from work on moving day.

Take your car to a garage, and ask the mechanic to consider what services might be needed if you’re moving to a new climate.

Tune up.

Recon�rm the arrangements.Contact the moving company.

If you’ll be changing banks, remove the contents of your safe-deposit box and put them in the safe box that you’ll take with you on moving day.

Clean out your safe-deposit box.

One Week Before

Stock up on prescriptions you’ll need during the next couple of weeks.

Re�ll prescriptions.

Aim to �nish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.A Few Days Before.

Pack your suitcases.

If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean, and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.

Defrost the freezer.

Recon�rm the moving company’s arrival time and other speci�cs and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the sta�. Include contact information, such as your cell phone number.

Double-check the details.

Make sure that the moving truck that shows up is from the company you hired: The USDOT number painted on its side should match the number on the estimate you were given. Scams are not unheard-of.

Verify.

Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.

Take inventory.

If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s check, or cash for payment and tip. If the sta� has done a good job, 10 to 15 percent of the total fee is a good tip. If your move was especially di�cult, you might tip each mover up to $100. Don’t forget that refreshments are always appreciated.Moving Day

Plan for the payment.

FLORIDA’S MOST TRUSTED MOVERS... SINCE 1962

COMPASS MOVINGREGIONAL HEADQUARTERS

COMPASS MOVINGBOCA RATON21301 Powerline Road Suite 106, Boca Raton, FL 33433Tel: 954-948-5020E-mail: [email protected]

4499 E 10th CourtHialeah, FL 33013(305) 688-2511E-mail: [email protected]

COMPASS MOVINGCORAL SPRINGS

COMPASS MOVINGWESTON2645 ExecutivePark Drive, Weston, FL 33331Tel: 954-417-7750E-mail: [email protected]

9900 West Sample Road,Suite 300, Coral Springs, FL 33065Tel: 954-603-8550E-mail: [email protected]

LOCATIONS