The process of finding good Austin Movers can seem daunting. But doing a little research is worth it. By shopping around, you can save money (sometimes more than $1,000) and avoid scams. Here are 12 steps to help you through the process.

1. Get recommendations. Ask friends, coworkers, and local real estate agents. Look in the phone book for Austin moving companies that have offices near your home. You’re going to want to get an in-person estimate of how much your Austin movers will charge you. Don’t rely on any estimate that comes from someone who hasn’t looked in every one of your closets. Don’t assume that big-name Austin moving companies are best. Do not get estimates through websites that offer to “find you a Austin Mover.” Find the Austin Movers yourself and avoid the numerous scams associated with some of these sites. And don’t use household-goods brokerage services that find an Austin Tx moving company for you — they are not regulated by the laws that Austin Movers must follow.

2. Do an initial screening. When you have a list of recommended Austin Movers, go online to do a quick background check (you can do a more thorough check later). Call or go to the website of the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).

Be sure to check the consumer-advocacy site www.movingscam.com. It has a blacklist of companies with a history of consumer complaints, as well as tips and general information about the moving industry. You can also do a search using the company name at Rip-off Report (www.ripoffreport.com).

3. You should end up with at least three or four Austin moving companies to call for an in-home estimate. If you’re moving to another state, ask if the company will give you a written binding estimate or, even better, a binding not-to-exceed estimate. Both types of estimates put a guaranteed cap on what you will pay for your move. While nonbinding estimates are legal (as long as they’re given free), as the U.S. Department of Transportation moving guide warns, “You should expect the final cost to be more than the estimate.” And while interstate Austin Movers are allowed to charge you for binding estimates, most will offer them free. Estimates for interstate moves will be based on the weight of the items you’re moving and the distance of the move. For moves within the same state, rules about estimates vary: Some states (such as California) require that Austin Movers give a written and signed binding estimate; others (like Illinois) forbid them to. Either way, estimates for these Austin Movers are based on the amount of time the move will take.

4. When an estimator comes to your home, show him everything you want to have moved — in the closets, the backyard, the basement, the attic. If on your moving day the foreman believes you have significantly more stuff than was calculated in your estimate, he can “challenge” the original estimate (before everything is on the truck, not after). He can’t force you to pay a higher amount, but he doesn’t have to move your stuff for the original amount, either. And at that point you probably don’t have a lot of other options. Also, make sure the estimator knows about any conditions at your new home that might complicate the move, such as stairs, elevators, or a significant distance from the curb to the closest door. While the estimator is at your home, get as much information as you can about the company. Make sure it will be moving you itself, not contracting the job out to another Austin Mover. Find out how long the Austin moving company has been in business. (You want one that’s been around a few years at least, and ideally 10 or more.) By the time the estimator leaves, you should have collected all of the following:

The company’s full name and any other names under which it does business.

The company’s address, phone numbers, and e-mail and website addresses.

Names and contact information for the company’s references.

USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) and MC (motor carrier) license numbers.

The U.S. Department of Transportation booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Federal law requires any interstate Austin Mover to provide you with this guide, which is the official rule book of the interstate moving industry. (You can download a copy at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/ rights.htm.) For in-state moves, Austin Movers are regulated by the state’s department of transportation or its public utilities or commerce commission. Some states publish their own moving-guide pamphlets.

5. Review the estimate. The estimate may be a combined document that, when signed by you and the moving-company representative, serves as your order for service and bill of lading, too. These, along with the inventory list created when your goods are loaded, are the basic documents any Austin Mover should provide you with. Make sure you see the words “written binding estimate” up top, as well as the Austin Movers signature with a date at the bottom. For an interstate move, the estimate should clearly describe the type and quantity of goods you’re shipping, the distance to your new home, when your things will be picked up and delivered, and any additional services (such as packing) and supplies the moving company is providing. If you want to purchase additional insurance from your Austin Moving contractor (above the standard 60 cents a pound that the Austin Mover’s insurance covers), make sure you understand the costs and details of that coverage. For an in-state move, for which you can’t get a binding estimate, you should still get a written estimate that sets out the hourly rates and any additional costs you may incur (for supplies, tolls, driving time to and from the Austin Mover’s facilities). If you’re not sure about anything in the Austin movers estimate, call and ask. And have the company send you a revised written estimate if necessary — don’t just take someone’s word for anything.

6. As you get estimates, collect them in a brightly colored (that is, hard-to-lose) moving folder. Keep this folder open in plain sight as later estimators come in. This shows them you’re doing your homework, which encourages them to be honest and perhaps give you a more competitive quote.

Recommendations for hiring an Austin Mover

Is your family planning a move to or from Austin? Are you in the position where you have younger kids that are going to potentially make your Austin moving process slower if you try to do everything yourself? There are professional Austin moving services that can help you relocate.

People often wonder if it will be worth hiring Austin movers or if it is better to just do it themselves. It is different for each person but of course there are many advantages to hiring a Austin moving company for many different types of situations. If you are Austin moving across town vs. Austin moving across the country as a single person it might make more sense to do it yourself. However, if you are Austin moving across town with a family you are going to need all the help you can get.

Professional Austin moving companies can take care of everything from start to finish which will free up time for you to take care of other things happening in your life. If you have kids, the Austin moving company can take care of everything while you simply watch the kids instead of hiring a baby sitter. The Austin moving company can take care of all the strenuous labor too. You will not have the stress or the physical and mental draining that Austin moving can bring forth. You'll be spending on the Austin movers where you would be spending on the babysitter only you are gaining a free ride out of lifting and packing.

Austin movers will lift and pack everything perfectly. They are trained to do this professionally and have a lot of skill in their field. This means you will be able to relax knowing all of your belongings will be in tact with no chips, cracks, breaks, scuffs or scratches. They can even go to the length of bringing their own packing supplies. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, tape and labels can all be provided by Austin moving companies. They can then pack everything neatly and label it all for you before they load it into their Austin moving truck. This will help them know where everything is for when they unpack it and it will also help them to know which boxes to be most careful with because they will know what is in which box.

Austin movers are skilled in packing technique too. They evenly distribute weight and layer things in such a way where fragile items will not be harmed. They know not to pack fragile things at the bottom of heavy boxes and then throw it into a truck. It is just part of their job to have common sense and treat each item with respect.