When moving day rolls around, the last thing you want to be worried about is paying more money than you were quoted in the estimate you received from the company. However, that's exactly the kind of thing that could happen if you don't anticipate and plan for certain issues that may come up on the big day. Here are a few tips for avoiding extra fees or increased costs when it comes time to move your household.

Insist on an In-Person Estimate

Avoiding extra fees on moving day actually starts with the moving estimate. While there are companies willing to give an estimate over the phone, it's important the customer service representative do a home tour instead for a couple of reasons. First, some moving companies charge by the pound, so the only way to get an accurate estimation of the cost of moving your belongings is for the agent to look at them. Second, it's not unusual for companies to charge an extra fee for bulky or oversized items, particularly if they have to make special arrangements to move them.

For instance, you can expect to pay extra for moving a piano, because it often requires at least two and up to six people to get it out of your house and into the truck. If there are stairs to contend with, you can expect the price to be even higher.

Therefore, having the customer service rep physically look at your belongings and the layout of your home is crucial to getting an accurate as possible estimate.

Additionally, be sure to get a binding estimate. A binding estimate ensures you won't pay more the amount you're quoted, even if the weight of your belongings goes over what was estimated. Be aware, though, the estimate only covers what's listed on the document. If there are additional services required, you can expect to have those tacked on before or after the move.

Move Items to the Lower Level Yourself

If your home has stairs or you must access your residence using stairs or an elevator, you may be charged an access fee. Stairs represent extra work and a higher risk of injury, and companies typically charge per flight they must walk up and down. For elevators, the company may charge you for the amount of time the employees have to wait to use the device, and this is on top of any hourly amount you're already paying.

One way to avoid this fee is to move your belongings to the first floor if you live in a multi-level home or building. If you live in an apartment complex, you may need to have someone stand with your stuff to prevent people from stealing it. If this isn't an option and your building has multiple elevators, you could reduce the fee by reserving one for your primary use to decrease the amount of time the movers are standing around.

A second special access fee you may be charged is a hoisting fee. Movers typically charge this fee in cases where furniture needs to be hoisted from an upper floor to a lower floor because it can't fit in the stairwell, elevator, or through the front door. The only way to get around this fee is to find a way to reduce the size of the problematic furniture piece or get the item to the first floor (or outside) yourself.

Make Sure There's Adequate Parking

A third issue that may result in an additional fee is if the moving van has to park a significant distance away from the building because there is no parking available nearby. The surcharge is to compensate the movers for the extra work involved, to have someone stand by the truck to ensure the safety of your belongings, and/or to pay any parking fees required (including tickets). Therefore, make sure you arrange for a parking spot close to your building to avoid having to pay extra just to get the movers to your door.

For more information about saving money on your move or to schedule an appointment to have your stuff relocated to your new home, visit a site like http://www.allenstransfer.com and contact moving companies in your area.

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