As you’re moving and looking to hire a company to bring you across the country or somewhere more regional, these are six things you should take into consideration. A few may be no-brainers, but many times something as easy as remembering a pen and paper to check unloaded truck items from the list is going to conserve unimaginable time and worry for you.

1. Avoid Paying Until Each One of Your Belongings are Off The Truck

When even one box or item goes missing, you won’t want to sign on the dotted line. The relocation needs to be completely finished before your signature gets handed over. Nothing is harder than returning to a company to relay how an item went missing after you’ve signed that everything’s been collected.

Count your boxes and then count them again to ensure your home inventory is judged. This will be your single opportunity to ensure all your ducks are in a row, so to speak. When problems with the paperwork come up, each one of your items will at least be at your new place and not stuck on a truck. This allows for a bit of leverage if movers are required.

2. Try to Stay Away From Companies Demanding Only Cash

Bring up right away how the moving fees can be paid. Although it may not feel like that much of an issue to give over big amounts of cash, Dave’s Detroit Movers (http://www.cheapmoversdetroit.com/) warns that firms that allow ‘cash only’ may also seize your items without returning them. Long distance moves mean your belongings will be left in plain sight for a time, so it’s a requirement to ensure the company is legitimate.

3. Try Not to Pack and Leave High-Value Items With the Movers

Critical things like your accounting records, passport, jewelry, school records or additional items that are important are best to be on your person and not with the company. Review a full list of the items you shouldn’t pack. Vital items won’t be lost in transit, and the things you absolutely need will be left with you.

4. Leave Your Signature Off Documents You Can’t Understand

Although this is the case for any paperwork, moving long distances can be even more complicated. Be sure you look over everything with a keen eye and ask whenever something feels off. When you’re noticing details of additional fees, see if the mover will describe what they all mean and the way they fit in with the move. Whenever you have a doubt, ask to talk with a supervisor or manager.

5. Stop Waiting For a Few Days or Weeks to Fly by Before Making a Claim

This is the time when quickly unpacking after a move is crucial. We usually open all boxes, to begin with to ensure there are no damages that happened throughout the move before we go on to fully unpack. The more you delay in handling any claims, the less of a chance you’ll have for it to be accepted.

6. Don’t Guess That The Mover Isn’t a Broker

Ask right away if the mover is a moving company or a broker. When the moving agency is actually a broker, get the details of who is going to be handling the job.

Study and investigate each company. The agency must tell you when they are putting another company on the job by law.