Homebuyer's Guide

POSTED: Sunday, Jul. 13, 2008

How to ... move to a new home

Allow plenty of time for major relocation decisions.

Planning ahead is important when you are hiring a mover, says Stephen Davenport, owner of Bellingham Transfer & Storage and a Ferndale resident for the past 14 years.

"People don't have a good account of the lead time it takes to get a quality mover, especially in the summer months," he explains. "We're booked ahead 15 to 20 days and though someone might find a spot in that time, they shouldn't count on it.

"If you're going to talk to movers about your move, start six weeks ahead of your moving date so you have time to make a comfortable decision without being rushed."

SANITY SAVER: Davenport advises parents and pet owners to get someone to look after their pets and children on moving day so they can focus their attention on the move.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE COVERED: An important step is to find out from your insurance company if your goods are insured while they are being moved, says Davenport. "All movers have minimal coverage included in the price, with optional additional insurance available. But there's no point buying it if you're already covered, so check about that in advance," he says.

SECURITY CHECK: Technology is great, but don't rely on it exclusively to secure your mover. "It's okay to contact a mover through the Internet, but don't do all your arranging that way. You need to have human contact with the mover," Davenport says.

He has heard many horror stories of moves gone awry, but says that all the major movers are doing background checks on their employees now so they can reassure customers that their staff have solid credentials.

SEASONAL PLANNING: Finally, remember that most people move in the summer, and the summer months are here. "It's the easiest time to be left at the altar," he says. "Make arrangements ahead of time."