Each year when the summer season is near on the horizon, another lesser known season comes with it: Peak Season. What is this other season you ask? It’s the Moving and Storage Industry’s busiest time of the year. Peak Season officially begins on the first of May and runs through September. This is the time of the year when activity is at its maximum and schedules are booked solid. As a matter of fact, nearly one third of all moving activity in the United States happens within this time frame.
“Big deal!” you may say. You couldn’t be more right; it is a big deal! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 percent of Americans move into new homes each year with three million moves taking place across state lines. 800,000 of those moves are handled by professional moving companies. A recent Economic Impact Study from the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) showed that the industry generates $85.7 billion in annual revenue. Additionally, moving and storage companies directly employ nearly 200,000 people and pay $28 billion in wages while also contributing $9 billion in tax revenue annually. A big deal indeed!
At the end of the day, what does that mean to you, the consumer? We’re glad you asked! It means quite a bit. As we mentioned before, schedules are going to become very tight very rapidly so if you are anticipating a move this summer you’ll want to contact a mover now. However, before you do there are five tips you should take into consideration:
1. Shop around for your moving company. Check each mover’s Better Business Bureau rating, and make sure each company is an AMSA Certified ProMover. Asking friends and family for referrals is always a good choice as well.
2. Get at least three free estimates. It is recommended that you have a representative from each moving company survey your household goods in order to provide the most accurate estimate. Home surveys can be accomplished by having a representative come into your home or through a virtual, online video process.
3. Be open with the moving company representative and show them everything that needs to be moved. From the basement to the attic, garage, storage areas and detached sheds. In order to get the most accurate estimate for your move, everything you plan to move needs to be factored in.
4. After the surveys have been performed, make sure to get your estimates in writing. If any are too high or too low in comparison with the others, they should be disregarded. As a general rule of thumb, all three of your estimates should be within the same ballpark; outlying prices may be a result of your items being included or excluded as well as what services were factored into the estimate by your representative. As always, if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Ask questions. Ask as many questions as possible if you don’t understand something. Professional movers will want to make sure that you are as educated on the moving process as possible and eliminate any surprises. Be sure to study each document carefully and get a copy of everything that you sign.
National Moving Month and the Peak Season may be a time period for the moving and storage industry but at the end of the day it’s truly about you, the customer. Use these tips to make the best decision possible for selecting your mover for your upcoming move.
Wheaton Worldwide and its entire Agency Family would like to be among your choices this summer for your upcoming move! Each Wheaton Agent is a certified ProMover with AMSA as is the van line itself. With over 110 years of experience moving people and families all over the world, we have the expertise and resources to move you into your new home. For your free in-home estimate, head on over to our home page and fill out the simple and quick form!
