ᐅ Moving soon? What to consider when hiring a moving company

Created on: 21 Feb 2010 00:18
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Maike
Good evening,

today I would like to share some information about moving companies that might help some of you.

Choosing the Right Moving Company – what do you want: cheap or affordable? There are countless furniture movers out there, but one important point should be considered:

Transport companies that use vehicles over 3.5 tons require a license in Germany! A transport insurance is mandatory: basic liability is 620 euros per cubic meter of moving volume. This means that for a moving volume of 50 cubic meters, the liability coverage amounts to 31,000 euros. Damages up to this amount would be covered. Companies that only use small vans with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons (sometimes called the "Sprinter class") usually do not fall under the regulations of the Goods Transport Act. These companies are therefore generally not required to carry insurance. The liability rules of the law do not apply in this case.

License: if your volume exceeds what fits in a Sprinter van, the moving company must have a license, which reputable movers should always clearly show—on their website, letterhead, etc. Otherwise, steer clear!

In every moving contract, make sure that the total volume of your moving items is clearly stated in the quotation!

I hope this information helps a bit…

Best regards,
Maike.
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MarkusS
26 Jun 2012 13:19
So far, I have always handled my moves myself with the help of assistants, who can also be found on student job sites. When it comes to moving companies, is it better to pay a flat rate or by the hour?
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darados
24 Jul 2012 16:00
From my own experience, I can offer the following advice: Consider in advance which repairs need to be carried out in the old apartment and check if the contents insurance might cover any damages. Otherwise, I simply used a checklist, which is always helpful.
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marator
27 Aug 2012 15:18
Since I recently moved for the 5th time in my life, I know quite a bit about it and would like to share a few tips from my experience that I find most important and that many people tend to forget or get wrong. It is crucial to cancel your previous apartment lease in time to avoid unnecessary costs. The same applies to your phone and cable connections. You can also find checklists online that offer exactly these kinds of tips.
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kevink
24 Sep 2012 11:52
Hello,
So far, I have only moved with the help of friends. Another move is coming up soon – so thanks for the tips!

I am still deciding whether to hire a moving company or students. How much would you pay students per hour? The work is quite demanding.

Have you had any experience with this?
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kamnik
20 Oct 2012 12:55
Reputable shipping companies offer additional insurance coverage that can be arranged separately.
This should be explicitly stated in the shipping contract.

Especially for valuable moving goods, it is important to ensure sufficient coverage.
620 euros per cubic meter (35.3 cubic feet) is not very much.
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denden
5 Nov 2012 17:51
For me, it will be time in a few weeks as well. This time, I actually want to take matters into my own hands, and to be honest, I’m a bit short on money. I want to organize everything myself and manage the move on my own. Why not get hands-on?