When hiring moving services, look for legitimate moving companies. You will find many options but only a few offer add-on services such as general cleaning and furniture assembly, lawn care and maintenance, etc. Be sure to research companies ahead of time before signing any written agreement. Do not rely completely on their promotional offers, flyers, and website. Never sign a blank contract and check if a virtual survey will gather your data. According to the Better Business Bureau, there are an average of 13,000 complaints and negative mover reviews every year. 40% of Americans have been scammed by moving companies and 14% have lost at least $3,000.
Consider the following tips for hiring movers before you make a decision. These can be helpful even for a local move.
- Identify what moving services you need.
- Search for other moving companies.
- Verify credentials and references.
- Search for online customer reviews, both good and bad.
- Ask for complete and final costs for the project.
- If the mover requires you to get insurance, probe the rationale behind it.
- Check its Better Business Bureau rating.
- Get ready to manage and supervise the movers.
- File a claim for problems/concerns you have with moving companies.
- Ask questions if you need clarification on the product etc. It would be helpful to make a checklist to ensure you have covered everything.
- Research and gather multiple quotes. Compare prices and services from different moving companies.
- Agree with the moving company regarding the last price. Ask if a service will cost extra.
- Find customer reviews and customer testimonials.
- Ask upfront for their cancellation policy.
- Steers clear of a moving company that will ask you to sign a blank moving contract.
What to Look for in a Moving Company
At the onset, it may seem more expensive to hire a moving company. Some people would rather save money and attempt to DIY. If done right, you can come across a company that values excellent customer service, complying with delivery dates, and still saving money.
Consider evaluating your options using the following criteria:
Choose an Affordable Moving Company
While everyone would want to save up on costs, it is not as easy as looking for the most affordable rates available on the market. Affordability can mean different things for people from different economic brackets. When you have a lot of valuable items like antiques and expensive paintings, it may be more cost-effective to engage a professional mover instead of risking all your belongings on a trial-and-error basis.
Reviews from Customers, both Good and Bad
Another crucial factor in choosing a moving company is reliability. There is nothing worse than finding out there is no help coming on a moving day. Check online and offline resources about the company’s track record. Online reviews are usually readily available. Read both good and bad reviews. Good reviews help you find the right movers while you can learn a lot from bad reviews. Ask for recommendations from family and friends who have gone through the moving process. This is especially important if you are moving for the first time.
The Moving Company and its Movers’ Experience
Nothing beats real-life experience. It is reassuring when you know you are hiring movers with a lot of experience. The relocation journey can be full of unexpected events like sudden snowstorms or busted tires. Ask your movers how they plan to handle the moving process and how they have handled problems encountered by previous customers.
Other Key Points to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Moving Company?
Moving, especially interstate and long-distance moves, is challenging work. A lot of household goods need to be wrapped carefully to avoid leaking their contents into other personal belongings. Aside from the actual work itself, since people are under pressure to complete the tasks, fluctuating emotions are common among most movers. In all such challenges, a mover is expected to maintain professionalism at all times. It is a good sign if the movers have a calm and collected demeanor. This means they can handle a high-pressure high-stakes situation like a sudden snowstorm while in transit to the new destination.
If you have too many things and you cannot transport them in one go, you might want to entertain the idea of renting a storage place for your personal belongings. Some companies rely on these spaces for rent when transferring to a new headquarters office. Note however that this is often not part of moving fees and will incur additional costs.
