Whether you’re moving right up the street or across the country, many individuals call upon their friends and family to help them pack up their belongings. Historically, anyone in the immediate circle with a truck is almost guaranteed to receive a call regarding their plans for the weekend and if they’re willing to give up their keys for a day or two.
While the generosity of friends and family is always commendable, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t call upon them for your moving needs. From timing conflicts to being uninsured, it’s important to understand why those in your immediate circle might not be the best people to help you move.
1. Timing is Everything
When you use friends and family to help you move, you have to accommodate each person’s schedule. Because of that, you may miss the opportunity to move at the right time.
For a variety of reasons, summer can be the best season to move. The kids are out of school, the weather is generally better, and the days are longer. In fact, a 2017 Census Bureau report found that 48.4% of all moves take place between June and September.
However, if you don’t have friends and family who are early risers or can’t take time off from work in the morning, packing in the summer can actually put them in danger. This is because midday heat can be so intense that it increases the risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. For that reason, it’s critical to hire a punctual moving company that ensures your move takes place in the morning and takes on all the heavy lifting for you.
2. Owning A Truck Doesn’t Make Them A Mover
Generally when you’re planning a move, the first person that’s called into action is your friend with a truck. But just because they have the right vehicle doesn’t mean they can handle your personal belongs.
At B.F. Fields Moving & Storage, an award-winning agent for North American Van Lines, we track our driver’s handling performance through a Quality Claims Ratio Program. This ensures an exceptional move from starting location to destination.
What’s more? All North American Van Lines drivers undergo a detailed qualification process that includes a full criminal background check, drug and alcohol screening, and road-safety certification tests. Additionally, all of our drivers meet—and even exceed—the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCSA) Regulations.
3. Find a Registered Mover
For the most part, your inner circle is a trustworthy bunch, and generally, they’ll be as careful as they can be with you belongings. However, it’s going to create an uncomfortable situation if something breaks, as your friends or family probably went out of their way to help you move, and now their good deed has gone awry. So do you ask them for reimbursement or just forget it?
Here is the other problem, when friends-of-friends come to help you, you may not know the trustworthiness of all the people helping you move. If some of your belongings go missing, it’s going to be a tough subject to broach—and even if you do confront them, you still might not see your things again.
For that reason, reach out to a professional mover and ensure they have a USDOT number, are registered with the FMCSA to engage in interstate transportation of household goods, and have the proper level of insurance.
A premier mover should also hand you a FMCSA brochure that details your rights as a customer and other important information about your move. Should your goods go missing or be damaged in transit, you can request a company claim and/or file a complaint to gain compensation for your belongings.
Moreover, much like how our drivers undergo an extensive screening process, our movers are also required to pass a criminal background check in order to earn their North American Labor Program Certifications. This will give you a peace of mind as you let people into your house and allow them to transport your precious belongings.
4. Packing Like a Pro
Friends and family are great, but they lack the experience of a registered moving company. When you plan a move with B.F. Fields Moving & Storage, you have a team of trained professionals on your side. You’re assigned a Relocation Consultant (George Chase gchase@bffields.com), a Move Coordinator, a certified driver, and a crew of packers who make the relocation process run as smoothly as possible.
Plus, friends and family lack the training to properly pack your belongings efficiently and effectively, label your boxes appropriately, and use protective covers for fragile pieces. Conversely, our drivers and packers are trained to:
- Label each box and piece of furniture with coded stickers to account for each item
- Load your packed and inventoried items into the van, truck, or trailer
- Prepare a detailed inventory of items to be moved
- Use protective coverings to protect your home and items
It’s Your Move
While it’s common to reach out to friends and family about your move, it’s rarely the best decision. If you’re looking for a team of trained professional who are ready to make your relocation as smooth as possible, click here to contact us or call us at (814) 454-2481.
