Deciding to hire a moving company to help out with your relocation is a smart choice. With all the companies available, though, how do you choose the right company for your move? We’re glad you asked!
We pulled together the best tips and tricks we have for moving. Follow these, and you’ll be sure to hire a moving company you love.
Get Multiple Quotes
If there is one golden rule of hiring a moving company, getting quotes from multiple companies is that rule. The worst mistake you can make is to hire the first company that offers you a quote.
Get anywhere from three to five quotes to get a range of prices and to better understand what is the industry norm for services included. Ask companies to provide a detailed list to accompany the price quote so you can be sure of what is included in the price they offer.
When all quotes have been submitted, compare, and price shop. Rank the companies according to what they offer for the price. Remove any low-ball quotes immediately. Too good to be true pricing always is when it comes to moving.
Cheap companies always have hidden fees, lack ethical practices, and might not even be properly licensed. Select your top three companies based on price and offerings and move on to the next step – checking reviews.
Check the Reviews
Take the top three companies you’ve shortlisted and start looking at reviews. The first place to look is the Better Business Bureau, known as the BBB.
The BBB factors numerous requirements into their rating from customer satisfaction, to handling customer complaints, licensing, and years in the industry. They are considered the most reputable business rating company around.
Also, check common crowd-sourced reviews at sites such as Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Finding out what other people had to say is vital.
Take the low reviews seriously and read them to understand what happened and how the company resolved the issues. Any company with consistent ratings below a four out of five should be removed from your list. You don’t want to risk it.
Ask for Recommendations
Ask friends and neighbors who they used for a moving company. If you know people in your new city of residence, ask them for recommendations, as well. Personal recommendations from friends are likely to help you get the best company.
If:
Your friends had a good experience, you probably will too, and you can know exactly what to expect. Recommendations, however, do not mean you can skip out on checking reviews or getting quotes.
All three steps are needed to ensure you get the best company possible. Companies change hands and leadership from time to time.
Checking reviews, even though your friend swears by the company, is essential to ensure they are still the #1 movers that your friend claims they were two years ago.
Ask About Their Experience
Once you’ve decided on your shortlist, ask for information regarding their experience. How many years have they been in the business? Do their employees have years of experience handling moves?
It’s important to find out how many years their employees have been working in the moving industry. Are they professional movers, or is this a “side gig?” Warning: “side gig” movers rarely work out well for homeowners.
This might seem like overkill, but remember, you are moving your entire life. Companies who are familiar with their job should be willing and able to answer your questions without any hint of annoyance.
You are just doing your due diligence, and professional movers will recognize your intentions.
Filter for Your Type of Move
If you’re moving from Los Angeles to New York City, you don’t want to hire a moving company that has performed a total of one long-distance move. They might be a fantastic company, but moving long-distance is quite different from moving from one end of the town to another.
There is extra paperwork, insurance requirements, and licensing needed to transport across stateliness. Companies that specialize in long-distance moves are the type of companies you want to move from one state to another.
Conversely, if you’re moving from one side of town to another, or even a few hours away, a company that has extensive experience with interstate moving regulations won’t be necessary. If you’re staying in the same state, a company with plenty of experience moving people short distances is enough.
Ask About Insurance
All professional moving companies will carry appropriate amounts of insurance to cover your items. Ask how much insurance they carry and find out if you are responsible for purchasing additional insurance for your belongings.
Don’t cut corners just to save on moving costs. Ask what is required to cover yourself against any unforeseen circumstances, including accidents, breakdowns, or theft while your items are in possession of the moving company.
Start Writing a Checklist
Use these tips to secure the best moving company for your needs. Get multiple quotes, check reviews, ask about hidden fees, and check ratings. Find out about their experience as a company, insurance coverage, and be sure they can handle your specific move.
Finally, keep track of your progress by writing out a checklist and make sure you cover all the tips mentioned here!
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