Whether moving a large house or a small apartment in Chicago moving can be a stressful and exhausting process. Scheduling movers should be a top priority that will allow you to focus on other things to prepare for your move. Here are 6 tips when scheduling a local move in Chicago using movers.
1. Provide Accurate Information About Your Move for an Estimate
Local movers in Chicago, such as Under One Roof, provide non-binding estimates based on the time estimated for a move, locations, and any specialty services requested. It is very important for movers to know exactly what will be moved and the logistics involved for a move in order to provide an accurate estimate. If there is anything unusual involved, such as a couch that can only be moved in through a window or there is a long walk in the building you are moving to be sure to let the mover know.
2. Make Sure the Mover You Schedule is Licensed
All local movers in Illinois are required to be licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission. If they are not licensed they are operating illegally. They are also likely not insured which means you will be responsible for any building damage or medical bills if an employee gets hurts on your property. Most are also members of the Illinois Movers' and Warehousemen's Association and commit to upholding their high standards of service.
3. Schedule Movers as Far in Advance as Possible
Schedule your mover as soon as you have confirmed the date you will be moving. This should allow you to have your choice of movers to choose from. A good rule of thumb is 4-6 weeks before your move. This is especially important if you are moving on busy Chicago moving dates that will be booked far in advance. The busiest dates include the spring and summer months from April to September, the end and beginning of every month (especially the first and last days), and Saturdays. It’s also important if you are requesting any specialty service that not every mover can accommodate such as overnight storage on a truck or hoisting. Unfortunately waiting until the last minute to schedule will likely involve a lot of calling around and no choice other than hopefully finding any mover available.
4. Properly Schedule Your Move With Your Building
If you are moving out of or into a building that requires scheduling, make sure the date and time of what you have scheduled with the building matches what you schedule with the mover. Your mover will need to know the timing your buildings are available for moving particularly if there are any elevator reservations involved. If your building requires a certificate of insurance give the mover the building’s required information as soon as possible. This is something that the mover will request from their insurance company with the building specific information and needs to be requested in advance of your move.
5. Make Sure the Moving Truck Can Access Your Building and Park
There are many areas of Chicago that make maneuvering and parking a moving truck tricky or nearly impossible. Movers rely on you to make sure the truck can access your building and to make sure there is adequate parking for the truck on moving day. If there are any size restrictions for a moving truck to access your building be sure to let your mover know before booking the move to make sure they have the right size truck available. A licensed and insured mover such as Under One Roof will be registered with the City of Chicago for parking permits. If requested with enough advance notice they can arrange for the City of Chicago to hang purchased no parking signs to save space where the truck will be parked.
6. Inform Your Mover of any Changes From What Was Scheduled
If anything changes from what was initially scheduled be sure to let you mover know as soon as possible. If your closing changes before your scheduled move depending on the time of year and day of the month you might not be able to easily reschedule. Many people anticipate that they can move items themselves ahead of their move but then find that they are not able to. If you find this happens let your mover know to make sure they can accommodate the difference in time.
These tips will help scheduling a move using local movers in Chicago. Your licensed Chicago mover will also help you navigate all the steps for moving in Chicago.
Blog authored by Michelle Mathena, President of Under One Roof, a local moving company in Chicago. Michelle has over 20 years of experience in the moving industry. Under One Roof has had thousands of satisfied customers since 1982.