When planning for relocation, there are several key factors to consider. You’ll probably be looking into hiring a moving company in addition to accumulating supplies and planning out logistics.
Hiring movers is an excellent approach to make the entire moving process go more smoothly. While it may increase the cost, relocating is exhausting work, and there’s a lot to be said for the comfort that comes with delegating the task. Professional movers will not only relieve you of the hard lifting, but they will also make the entire day run more smoothly, allowing you to focus on other vital moving day tasks.
Throughout my many moves, I’ve always been wary of enlisting the assistance of friends. I hired movers to pack, transport, and reassemble my belongings as soon as I could afford them (and, to be honest, even before I could afford them). And I’ve never looked back. While I could have gotten away with paying in pizza and beer if I had just enlisted the help of some friends or family members, the money I spent on professional movers was always well spent.
Fortunately, I’ve had had positive encounters with movers, although horror stories abound. You may receive a list of names by going to Google and entering a quick search for “moving business near me.” Still, you should conduct further research before entrusting your most expensive items to anyone. When you’re looking for a moving company, here are seven things to keep in mind.
Recommendations from individuals you know and believe in
While Google may not be the most dependable location to begin your search for a moving company, your friends and loved ones most certainly are. Reach out to people you know who have used moving companies in your region and inquire about their experiences and who they would recommend. It’s possible that someone you know had a poor experience with a firm that was otherwise well-rated or that they were slammed with a slew of additional expenses that weren’t disclosed on the firm’s website. Similarly, someone might have had an excellent encounter with a new company that doesn’t have a significant web presence. You might get valuable information from friends and relatives that you won’t discover online if you start with them.
Positive feedback
When you’ve narrowed down a few organizations to investigate, read internet reviews to discover more about them. People usually submit reviews if they’ve had a particularly good or poor experience. Both of these things are crucial to know before using a moving company. You can easily browse moving reviews on Moving.com to learn about other people’s experiences with a company, and it may even reveal some key elements you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
A proven track record of success
There’s something to be said for giving a new firm a head start, but hiring a moving company that’s been around for at least a few years is frequently the best option. You should be able to get a general notion of their track record in terms of being on time, keeping fees fair, and preserving the condition of their belongings based on the information you find online. Unless you have a few good recommendations for a new moving business, stay with those who have demonstrated their competence over time.
Insurance and a license
Never hire an unlicensed or uninsured moving company. Anyone can buy a vehicle and call themselves a moving company. Still, only those that are appropriately licensed and insured are legally obligated to secure your belongings.
Movers must register with the U.S. Department of Transportation for interstate relocation. They will be assigned a unique USDOT number. By scanning this database offered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, you can check that a company has a legitimate DOT number and insurance. Intrastate movers are subject to state-by-state regulations, though most states do have licensing requirements. Look up your state’s intrastate license rules and make sure your moving firm follows them.
Search our moving company database, which includes information about more than 600 reliable movers across the country, as well as Better Business Bureau data and customer reviews, to make the process of selecting trustworthy movers easier. You could also look through the ProMovers List of the American Trucking Associations. You’ll find a list of movers in each state who have been thoroughly vetted, ensuring that you can rely on them.
Clear rates
When you phone a mover to schedule a service, they’ll quote you a price depending on the number of hours and movers you’ll require. Keep in mind that this is a base pricing that does not include any additional packing materials, potentially higher fees for moving large, heavy products, or other optional extras. On the phone, moving firms can’t give you a specific quote, but they can give you an idea of how much you’ll spend. Always inquire about what constitutes an additional price. If the company refuses to provide the information, move on to someone else.
A suitable match for your specific requirements
Every move is unique. You must ensure that the moving company you pick can accommodate all of your belongings, whether you are moving to a four-bedroom house or a studio apartment. Consider your specific requirements, and then ask the necessary questions to guarantee you’re selecting the best option. Some things to think about are:
- Whether the firm has a moving truck that is large enough to accommodate all of your boxes and furniture while also adhering to any physical restrictions imposed by your property.
- Suppose more packing items, such as moving blankets, bubble wrap, and clothes boxes, are needed. In that case, the business should be able to provide them.
- If the company is available within a period that matches your demands and can guarantee pickup and delivery dates and suitable hours, it is a good sign.
- Be on the lookout for renegade movers.
- Every year, millions of individuals relocate. While only a tiny fraction of them are victims of moving business fraud, it is not unheard of. Check for an active license, look up their service records, and make sure they have a valid physical address to ensure a moving company is legitimate (not just a P.O. box). You should also be suspicious of any mover who requests a deposit, especially if the amount is more significant than 20%. Additional recommendations for ensuring that you pick a legitimate moving business can be found at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
In the moving market, competition is high, and no matter where you live, you’ll have plenty of options to pick from. Do your homework, ask around, and don’t be afraid to move on if a company raises any red flags for you. Overall, you want a provider with a track record of safety, dependability, and excellent service quality. Even if you only plan to use the firm for one day, a lot can go wrong. The more time and effort you invest into finding the ideal moving company, the less time you’ll have to spend dealing with potential accidents.