How to hire the professional & competent moving helpers?

In Berlin, with millions of movements every year, it's a small miracle that most of them go smoothly, without any problems even. Of course, hiring the right quality shifts is a must.

But scams or poor quality practices do happen even with so many smooth move. It is in your interest to be made aware of each step in the process.

Here are 11 ways to hire the,

Professional & competent moving helpers for your move:

1. Moving directory

A reliable moving company can take stock of all your things, either in person or through a virtual survey, and assess the bulk and weight of your transfer. 

Many of your storage sites, such as cupboards, drawers, garages and bookcases, should be thoroughly reviewed by the estimator. 

A large component of the cost of the mover is based on the weight of your items and the space in the truck that your products take up. Be sure this calculation is understood and that it is as reliable as possible.

2. Get a proper walk-through

It would be off the mark for an estimator who performs a fast walk-through without noting what you plan to move. 

A successful estimator may ask questions about what you plan to take to your next home from your current residence. 

So, make sure you're able to tell the checker which things you don't want on the vehicle, the items you're hoping to give away, donate to a charity, sell in a yard sale, or leave the new owners behind.

3. Do not pay a huge deposit

Until moving, trustworthy movers won't claim cash or a big deposit. 

Only upon delivery should you pay. You have no power when you are going to see your things again if you pay in advance. 

Use a credit card when you pay to help protect you from potential fraudulent behavior.

4. Avoid relocating companies with a name change

By doing business under a number of names, some companies avoid being inspected by the Registrar Of Companies. 

Make sure the business has a local address and licensing and insurance records. Their employees can answer the phone with the company's full name. 

Find out if the company "does business as" has any other names, as well as their state and federal license numbers. 

To see if there are concerns about the business, check online. Call the customer complaints hotline to find out more about the history of the company.

5. Get recommendations on movers

If there are no suggestions from your friends and relatives, get a list of reputable movers from associations such as Berlin Moving and Storage Association and state associations of moves. 

Ask some of the movers you talk to for references. Tell them that you want a list of three customers who have moved in the past three months from your city. 

Call those clients and ask questions about their experience directly.

6. Avoid expenses for packing

When you pack your things yourself, the mover is not normally responsible for harm to them. 

However, if you have your mover do the packing, you can pay inflated prices, not to mention time and labor, for boxes and packing materials. 

Ask about the experience of the packers, if you plan to make the movers pack. 

Most packers are cautious, but you want to avoid the risk of bringing someone into a package who throws everything they can and then seals it up with no concern for breakage.

7. Beware of additional fees

Do you live in, or are you moving into, a two-story house? Going to or from an apartment on the tenth floor? If so, you would probably be paid extra for having to navigate stairs and elevators for the movers. 

Do you have a narrow road that doesn't suit a moving van? For the move of your belongings to a smaller truck for delivery, expect a surcharge. 

Make sure you ask the mover for any extra fees that might be applicable to your case.

8. Avoid a blank contract for moving

Never sign a contract which is blank. Get in writing absolutely anything. As well as your pick-up and delivery dates, the mover's estimate and any additional fees should be specified. 

Read the contract and make sure that all your belongings are listed. 

You can't expect it to be in the box when he arrives if your laptop is not labelled on the inventory form you sign before the driver leaves. 

For anything that does not appear on the inventory list, you can't file a lawsuit.

9. Don't really consider the quotation "guaranteed"

Three kinds of moving contracts exist:

A non-binding estimate on the contract means that the company can not require payment over the original estimate by more than 10 percent. Any overage must be charged within 30 days of shipping.

A non-binding to exceed estimate on your contract ensures that you would not have to pay the initial estimate on any overages. For any services provided, the estimate is the maximum you would be expected to pay.

A binding estimate on your contract is the guaranteed price for the transfer and all extras and facilities. Any extra costs must be charged within 30 days of delivery if you offer additional services (such as unpacking).

10. State any issues

You have nine months to inform the moving company of any concerns and file an insurance claim. 

So if you open boxes a year later and find glass fragments, you're out of luck. Try to open each box on moving day and sift through it to search for damage. 

Notice any concerns before signing it on the mover's copy of the bill of lading.

You have 30 days for the mover to acknowledge receipt of your claim. He must reject the claim within 120 days of obtaining it or make an offer to pay.

11. Moving security from insurance and appraisal

Both moving firms are obligated to take responsibility for the value of the goods they are carrying. 

However, there are two distinct types of responsibility. You need to be aware of the relevant fees and the amount of protection each level offers.

Complete (Replacement) Security of Value:

This is the most detailed plan for the safety of your products available. 

Your shipment will be shipped under your mover's Maximum (Replacement) Value Insurance level of liability unless you choose the Alternative Level of Liability listed below. 

Under this scheme, if an object is lost, destroyed or damaged when in the hands of your mover, the mover has the option of either:

Fix the item to the point required to return it to the same condition as when the mover received it, or pay you for the repair cost.

Replace the product with a product of the same kind and standard, or compensate for the replacement cost.

Under this option, movers are entitled to restrict their liability to items of exceptional value for loss or injury, unless you explicitly mention these items in the shipping documents. 

An exceptional value article is any object whose value exceeds EUR100 (for example, jewelry, silverware, china, furs, antiques, rugs and electronics). 

Ask the mover before your transfer for a full clarification of this drawback.

Alternative Responsibility Level:

The most economical security available is this no-cost alternative, but it offers only limited protection. Under this option, for no more than 60EUR, per object, the mover assumes liability. 

Loss or harm cases are settled on the basis of the article's pound weight multiplied. For this minimum security, there is no additional fee, but you must sign a clear statement agreeing to it on the bill of lading. 

If you do not choose this alternative level of liability, the shipment will be shipped at the maximum (replacement) liability value level and the valuation fee will be calculated.