Common Moving Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we hear from our moving customers and prospects. Need more information, please reach out to our team.

What areas do you service?

This is kind of a two part question. The first part is “What areas do we service and do in home estimates?” We travel anywhere within Ohio to do estimates and sometimes to neighboring states. But, with today’s technologies we’re not limited to doing estimates by traveling to your residence. We can do video estimates and phone estimates as well. The second part of the question “How far do we move people?” We move people all over the world. We are part of the largest household good moving company United Van Lines and we have a network and infrastructure to do moves anywhere in the world. 99 percent of our moves happen within the continental United States though and we’ve observed that over the last few years probably 50% of our moves out of the midwest have been traveling to the Southeast (NC, SC, GA, FL, VA). We regularly have trucks running those routes.

Can Dearman help me pack?

Of course! Check out our packing services.

How much of a deposit is required?

Legitimate moving companies do not require moving deposits. Moving deposits are a red flag to being scammed on a move.

When should I get an estimate?

30-60 days prior to when you think you are going to move is the best time to get an estimate.

Does someone need to come to my house to do an estimate?

Todays’ technologies allows us to do estimates a number of ways. We can do estimates in person, via video, via phone, via chat, and we can even give somewhat accurate estimates based on pictures you have posted on sites like realtor.com, trulia.com, and Zillow.com. We also have a link on our site that allows you to enter everything you are moving and we can give you an estimate online.

When should I schedule my move? (How far in advance)

The sooner the better, but at least 1-2 weeks on a local or in state move. 2-4 weeks if moving interstate.

Do you have insurance coverage? Are you bonded?

All reputable movers have liability insurance, vehicle insurance, and workers compensation insurance. In the state of Ohio movers are regulated by the PUCO and part of their certification process is proving they have these coverages and keeping them current. There are a lot of uncertified moving companies that do not have these coverages so they should be avoided as you are placing yourself at risk by using companies who don’t have them. You can see the list of certified movers at this website.

How is the cost of my move determined?

Typically, we give “guaranteed not to exceed” estimates. This means that you will know the exact cost of your move in advance with no surprises at delivery. If your weight goes under what we had estimated you will get a credit back. However, if the weight is over the estimation, you will not be charged additionally. All of our estimates include FVP (Full-Value Protection with no deductible). This covers all the goods we transport as well as the property at origin and destination.

Can my possessions be stored temporarily?

Yes. Belongings can be stored in our local warehouse or another United facility in the country. You are responsible for any additional storage charges and delivery charges from the warehouse.

What shouldn’t I move? (Non-allowables and Decluttering)

There are a list of non-allowable that can’t legally be moved. This list can be found here. We also recommend you don’t move things you’ve not used in the last year. Why pay to move it and just store it away at the new place.

What if I have to change my dates?

Date changes happen all the time in our industry for a number of reasons. When a date needs changed contact our office and we’ll make the necessary adjustments to accommodate your new schedule.

Will my furnishings stay clean?

Yes. Our air-ride, regularly sanitized trucks provide a clean, smooth move and we protect your upholstered furniture with protective wrap and furniture pads.

How Long between loading and delivery.

Several factors determine how long between loading your shipment and delivery to your new residence. If you are moving locally or within the state of Ohio then your delivery day would be the same day or next day depending on how large your shipment is. If you are moving out of the state then your delivery spread could be as large as 2 weeks if you are a small shipment or are moving a long distance. We recognize that staying in a hotel with family and kids while waiting on delivery of your furniture can be very expensive and stressful so we’ve created some optional services which give our customers guaranteed delivery dates and spreads which are much shorter than industry standards. Contact us to discuss your delivery needs and we’d be glad to help create a delivery solution that works for you.

What do I need to do to prepare for moving day?

1. Have a plan for any kids and pets. Remember movers often can’t see very well when they are carrying your furniture. We’d hate to trip over your child or pet as we’re carrying a big dresser or piece of furniture. Kids and pets can also distract movers from doing their jobs and this can impact your cost especially if it’s an hourly job.

2. Have cold beverages (water or gatorade) on hot days, and have warm beverages on cold days. This is a simple way to let the movers know you appreciate what they are doing for you. They appreciate this gesture though it’s not required.

3. Think about lunch

4. Make sure to pull out all important documents such as documents you might need for closing or taxes.

How Can I reduce overall moving cost?

There are several ways to reduce your overall moving cost. Some are good ideas and some aren’t such good ideas. Some of the best ways to reduce overall cost of your relocation are:

First & Foremost: Plan ahead. – One of the biggest expenses people incur in moving is their failure to plan ahead. Planning ahead is an essential way to reduce your overall cost of moving. The sooner you schedule your move the better moving rates you can get. Also when you allow yourself time in planning your move you create time to declutter, purge, have garage sales, do your own packing, etc.

Move Less Stuff – We are a moving company and we get paid to move items but we believe we’re doing a disservice to our customers if we don’t offer solutions to help meet all of your needs. One of the best ways to reduce your overall cost of moving is to move less stuff so moving is s a great time to declutter and purge unwanted or unnecessary items instead of moving them only to be stored in the basement or storage at your new residence. Go through your current storage and eliminate things you haven’t used in the last year or longer. If they were truly important to you then you’d be using them so sell them, give them away, donate them, or throw them away.

Do you own packing – Packing is an overwhelming task if you decide to tackle this chore People often think they can pack their entire house in a few evenings or the weekend before loading, only to be surprised by how hard it is and how much time it actually takes. But, doing some packing is a good way to reduce your overall cost. If I was going to saving money on packing, then I’d start with the basement and storage. In packing these rooms I would eliminate things that I don’t need to move (if I have it professional packed they aren’t gong to purge for me – they pack everything). Second I’d set aside one weekend and pack the kitchen/dining room. These rooms have the most expensive boxes to pack and can save you a significant amount towards your overall packing. Third I’d pack all the mirrors and flat panel televisions. By packing those 3 areas you could very easily save 10-15% or more off your overall moving cost.

Be Prepared – If you commit to doing things to save on your overall moving cost then make sure you get them done. It can become very costly if the movers show up and you’ve not completed everything you said you were going to do. This can cause delays and additional charges (at premium prices). On local moves people often have things sitting around that need to be packed or in garbage bags. This really slows down the moving process and can add significant cost to your over all move.

Pre Moving – On local moves you can save a significant by having lots of boxes and items all stacked neatly in a main floor room or garage. When moving locally it is usually by the hour so moving items out of the basement or upstairs takes a lot longer than moving them from a front room or garage. If you are able to move items to a main floor this can save you overall dollars and the movers greatly appreciate it. Also when you do this stack the items neatly and put them in rows. Again this will allow the movers to move quickly without having to walk around the clutter. Also tear your beds down and have mattresses leaning up against the walls. Anything you do means you aren’t paying them hourly to do it for you. Electronics should be disconnected and packed. Make sure you put remotes in the boxes with the other electronics.

Is your moving estimate a guaranteed cost?

We prefer to give guaranteed price estimates because thats what our customers like you want. 90% of our estimates are guaranteed prices. Good communication between both parties is an essential part of having a guaranteed quotation. When we give an estimate we clearly communicate both the services we are going to provide along with our guarantees and also write out what you are customer state you are going to do. Your moving concierge will revisit this agreement several times prior to moving day to make sure any commitments you made (selling items and discarding items, or doing your own packing, etc) are on track. If adjustments need to be made we like to have these discussion prior to moving day so that everyone is prepared when moving day arrives. Sometimes there are to many factors to allow a guaranteed price, but those are rare and can be discussed at time of moving consultation.

How do I know you are a reliable mover?

First, check out our reviews. We pride ourselves in providing great service. Second, come visit our location. We have a very clean and professional facility with nice trucks and nice equipment.

When is the best time to move?

We will do our best to accommodate the dates you need to move, but do keep in mind that the busiest move seasons are during the summer and over holidays. The more notice we have, the better.

How and when should I pay?

We encourage our customers to pay with credit card because this is the safest way to pay for your services. We have secure technologies so you don’t even have to give us your card information but instead enter it directly into the credit card company via your phone or computer. This prevents credit card fraud or theft. We also take cash; personal checks (up to $1500.00 with prior authorization) and certified funds such as bank drafts and money orders.

What is a binding estimate?

A binding estimate specifies in advance the cost of the move, based on the services requested or deemed necessary at the time of the estimate. If additional services are requested or required at origin or destination (such as a “shuttle” from a location at which a full-size truck cannot operate directly), the total cost will increase. Binding estimates are valid for the time period specified, up to 30 days.
Dearman typically gives binding/not-to-exceed estimates. We feel that no one wants the unpleasant surprise of a higher bill at delivery. These estimates do allow for the price to go down if less weight is shipped.
If you add items to be moved or require additional services, such as packing, between the time of the estimate and the time of your move, there will be additional charges. An addendum specifying these additional charges will be prepared for your signature.
If you are interested in obtaining a binding estimate, please discuss this with your Dearman representative.

My move date changed. What should I do?

Contact us as soon as you can. We can process the changes and discuss updates. Keep in mind, your estimate may change depending on the new dates selected.

Can I move jewelry and other valuables?

Items of extraordinary value can be included in your shipment, provided you notify your Dearman representative of these items before packing or moving day. However, we strongly recommend that you carry irreplaceable and expensive articles with you.

What are items of extraordinary value?

In the moving industry, items having a value of more than $100 per pound are known as “articles of extraordinary value.”

If I Do my own packing and something is damaged is it covered?

We can’t be responsible for damage that was incurred because of any packing you may have done. If we drop a box that you packed or did something to damage the contents of what you packed then you are covered, but if there is no evidence at mishandling of your box then the damaged contents would be your responsibility. We don’t want to have ay damage regardless of who provides the service, so we want to do everything we can to help you pack successfully. We have videos on how to do you own packing and we’re available via phone, email, video call to discuss and observe your packing and give you tips on how to pack best. With today’s technologies we make it as easy as we can for you to get the help you need.

What is Valuation?

Valuation is the coverage provided against damage moving damage that movers cause. We encourage you to read this blog to learn more about valuation and insurance and selecting the right coverage for you.

How am I protected from being scammed or my furniture from being held hostage?

First, make sure you use a certified moving company. Second, do not use a moving broker. (Read our blog : Avoid being scammed by a Moving Broker). Do not give a moving company a deposit – this is a red flag you are about to be scammed.

What happens if you are late loading or delivering?

Part of our moving guarantee is that we’re never late (except during extreme weather conditions). We know how important being on time is so we guarantee we’ll be on-time, every time. If we are late, you get a 10% rebate of your moving price. We pride ourselves in being on time. This is one thing that sets us apart from other moving companies.

If I have damage what is the process.

Regrettably damage does sometimes occur. We don’t like when your trust us with your belongings and something gets damaged. To protect our customers we encourage full replacement coverage on every shipment. This gives you replacement coverage for anything that does get damaged, and also protects us from having an upset customer. We’ve also made filing a claim easy by including an online form for you to file your claim and upload your pictures. This speeds up the process and allows us to expedite handling of your claim. Anything we can do to make it simple and easy for you.

Can I move my pet(s)?

Pets cannot be carried in the moving truck. Typically, they are transported in the family car but if that’s not convenient, we will be glad to suggest alternative options. See “Moving with Pets.” For a complete list of non-allowables, check out this checklist.

What happens if my closing falls through?

Don’t panic. We are accustom to changes in closing. We’ve been doing this a long time and we understand the idiosyncrasies of buying and selling houses. If your closing falls through, contact your moving concierge and we’ll work out a plan to accommodate your changes.

How do I know I’ll receive all of my items in their original condition?

When we load your shipment we prepare an inventory of everything we are moving. We note the original condition of the item. After we’ve got that complete we give you a copy and load everything on the truck. At delivery we encourage you to check off a bingo sheet making sure you receive everything and also inspect your furniture as we unload it. If you see anything that looks damaged you can let us know and we’ll note it on the paperwork and start the claims process. Even if you don’t notice something as damaged on moving day but do notice something afterwards you have up to 9 months to file a claim.

I need help staging my house?

Often times realtors advise staging your house to prepare for a move. We can send out a crew and a portable storage container to help you declutter your house prior to listing your house. When you do need to move we can either deliver the items we’ve got stored in a portable storage container to your new house (locally) or we can load those onto the truck going wherever you are going.

Can I move my house plants?

We cannot accept responsibility for safely moving your plants because they may suffer from a lack of water and light as well as temperature changes in transit.
You should consider transporting them in the family car or giving them to an appreciative neighbor or relative. Be aware that some states prohibit the entry of plants.

Why is there such a difference between the estimates I received?

Many estimates are based completely on price and not your needs. There will be some companies that give you a barebones price in order to earn your business. We understand that cost isn’t the only deciding factor in a move and we try to provide an estimate based on your needs, including your budget. We would be glad to show you an apples to apples comparison of our services verses a competitors. We feel we are providing some of the best moving service and understand the true value of moving.

Should I tip the movers? How Much?

Movers do appreciate tips, but there is no set rule. Some people tip 10%, others provide food and beverages for the crew, others give items to the crew they decide not to move. It varies from job to job and whatever you decide the crew will appreciate.