American Way Van & Storage

The busiest times for moving companies are during the summer months, May 15 – September 15. At the end of these months, the volume of the shipments is extremely heavy. This is the case for all professional moving companies.

Take all the factors into consideration when deciding on the best time to move for you. If you have some flexibility in your schedule, provide the moving company with five day window for loading your shipment. This will allow the individuals who schedule the drivers and crewmembers greater flexibility when scheduling your move. If possible, be flexible with your destination time frame as well. Keep in mind that you most likely are not the only shipment on the truck. If you stay flexible it should make a difference.

Try to provide the moving companies with as much time as possible, especially if you are moving during the busy season as noted above. Six weeks from the actual move date is not too early for estimators to come into your home to complete what they refer to as a “visual survey of your household goods shipment.” Try to decide which mover you will use four weeks from your actual loading day. This timeframe can be shortened in the off peak season which is September 15 through May 15.

The estimator will arrive at your home to complete the visual survey of your household items.  Once this is completed, the estimator will calculate the weight, packing cost and any other charge related to your move.  Remember that the estimator must clearly see what you are moving in order to provide you with an accurate estimate.  Crawl spaces, attics and cluttered closets can be deceiving, so organize your house before the estimator arrives.  Don’t be alarmed if the estimator goes through all of your cabinets and closets or looks under beds and on top of cabinets.  He or she must be able to see what is moving and possibly needs packing.  If you know if items that are out of view, be certain to point them out to the estimator.  If there are items you will be eliminating, be sure to point them out (One word of caution that can save you a great deal of trouble on loading day).  Get rid of all items that you do not plan to move.  Otherwise, there may not be enough space for your shipment.  This will not occur on one or two items, but if you anticipated eliminating an entire bedroom suite and do not do so, it is quite possible that this could violate the integrity of your binding estimate and/or cause the driver to run out of space.

A binding estimate is a contract that specifies, in advance, the precise cost of the move based on the services requested or deemed necessary at the time of the estimate.  If additional services are requested or required at either the origin or destination, the total cost will increase.  Ask your professional estimator if unplanned events are charged COD to you.  Binding estimates are only good 60 days from the date of the estimate.  If there are any price increases you will not be charged the higher rate.