Preparing For The Move Survey
The mover's plan and your estimate are based upon the Move Survey, which makes your early preparation that much more important. The Move Survey will give the moving company an idea of what needs to be relocated, who will be participating in the move, special notes and instructions pertaining to property and so on. Here are some helpful hints when preparing for the move survey:

1. Create a complete list of items to be moved, room by room;
   
   
2. Note items you wish to be moved earlier than others;
   
   
3. Weigh the time and availability of your employees versus the cost of hiring movers to handle various aspects of the move, such as packing and/or unpacking;
   
   
4. If movers need to attend construction meetings, provide an agenda specifying how many meetings will take place and when they will be held. A contact list should accompany the agenda, indicating any other people/vendors with whom the movers will need to communicate or coordinate the move;
   
   
5. Let the movers know what time to arrive on the day of the move and when they can begin preparing items for the move;
   
   
6. Provide a list of items that require special installation and/or handling when delivered or installed;
   
   
7. Know the aggregate value of items being moved for insurance purposes;
   
   
8. Take detailed notes during the Move Survey and keep track of what you requested and to whom you spoke;
   
   
9. Make sure that key decision makers within the company are involved in the Move Survey process. This will ensure their ability to determine which proposal is most complete;
   
   
10. Be sure all points discussed during your survey are reflected in writing in the proposal you receive.
    
    During the mover survey, note that a better mover asks better questions.

Research
Basic Research is very important when selecting a suitable moving company.

• Be sure to compare all proposals. Estimates that are too high are not suitable and estimates that are too low are not realistic;
  
• Don't be swayed by movers who boast "big name" references. They may not fit your needs and they may be old references. Remember, a mover will never list a bad reference.
  
  

1. Who was the project foreman?
   
2. Were the movers uniformed?
   
3. Did the move take longer than anticipated? If so, how much longer?
   
4. Was the final bill consistent with the estimate?
   
5. What rates did they charge per man per hour?
   
6. Was the amount of materials, equipment and manpower adequate?
   
7. What time did the move start? Finish?
   
8. Were only office contents and computers moved or was there furniture, as well?
   
9. Was anything lost, broken or stolen?

• Discourage movers from asking pertinent questions for fear of informing their competition about how they will approach the move;
  
• Encourage unrealistically low bids as companies try to second-guess the
  competitors' pricing;
  
• Hinder movers who are more meticulous by forcing them to rush, thereby potentially overlooking important details.