Unless you’re enjoying the little rural village life, you likely have at your disposal more moving companies than you can count. While options are great, too many options can be daunting at best.
If the overwhelm has you debating the virtues of your minimalist college-aged futon+bar fridge lifestyle, don’t start selling your furniture just yet. With a bit of effort, you can find a reputable, reliable moving company near you.
Tips to Find the Right Moving Company
Get Referrals
Rather than just closing your eyes and pointing at a listing in the phone book (it’s an expression – you likely don’t even own a phone book, do you?), there’s a better way. You can quickly narrow down your options by asking for personal recommendations.
Friends, family, and colleagues wouldn’t lead you astray. Check in to see if anyone has a recommendation for a local moving company. They’ll be able to tell you about a good experience and can vouch for the company’s service level. After all, personal experience speaks volumes.
Similarly, your contacts may tell you who to avoid. Poor experience is a good indicator and helps you steer clear of bad moving companies. You’re looking for a company that communicates well, shows up on time, and doesn’t show up at the end of a long day’s work with an invoice peppered with unexpected fees.
Do Your Homework
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, start doing your homework to check out the companies on your list. Start by checking the legal status of the moving companies to ensure they’re operating within local or national guidelines.
The US DOT provides a DOT number to licensed interstate movers, so verify their license if you’re moving out of state. For local moves, check your local consumer affairs agency. We all like to everything will go perfectly and without issue, but the reality is, that things happen. Make sure you hire a licensed and insured mover so you can move with confidence.
Compare Estimates
Comparing pricing is an essential step in determining the mover for you. Get three estimates and see how the price and offer stack up.
When creating an estimate, your mover should make sure they thoroughly understand what you need to be as accurate as possible. They should ask questions about how much stuff you have, how far you’re going, and what the entry and exit points are like in your home. If they have to park far from either of your locations or navigate flights of stairs, for example, it will likely involve an extra charge.
Your mover should also understand how much large, awkward, or bulky furniture you have. By understanding the overall scope of your belongings, they (and you) can be sure to have the right equipment on hand for the job.
Make sure the estimate you receive is straightforward with all of the charges laid out in front of you. Check to be sure that your mover guarantees their pricing.
Ask Questions
By now, you’ll have communicated quite a bit with your mover to ensure your estimate is complete and accurate. You’ll have a good feeling about how easy your mover is to communicate with and how available they are for what you need.
Your mover will have asked you many questions, but keep in mind that you can ask as well. You likely have some questions of your own, and it’s a great way to see how it is to work with your mover. If anything is unclear on your estimate, check with them. If you’re wondering if they’ll take apart your bed frame, so you don’t have to, ask. Have a piece of irreplaceable antique furniture or large artwork to move? Now is an excellent time to talk to them about ensuring they travel and arrive safely.