Relocation is an exciting yet challenging task. It’s a time-consuming process that requires a lot of patience and good organizational skills. That’s why it’s always a good idea to hire a trustworthy moving company and rely on their expertise throughout this stressful process. However, before hiring a moving crew, you have to make sure you pick the right one. Because if you make the wrong choice, things can go south in a second. Now, the question is: How to make a smart decision? To help you with your mission, we have curated the list of 7 things to look for in a moving company. Let’s begin!
Seek recommendations from people you trust
When it comes to something as big as choosing the right moving company, it’s best to have a good recommendation from someone you trust. You probably have someone in your surroundings who used these kinds of services, so it’s good to hear about their experience firsthand. Therefore, this is a great way to find out helpful information about something you can’t Google.
It’s possible that one of your friends had a bad experience with a moving company that is highly praised, so you can get a different insight. On the other hand, maybe someone you know hired a new local company that doesn’t have a good online presence yet and is highly satisfied with their services. Therefore, a recommendation from your friends and family should definitely be one of the things to look for in a moving company.
Look for an experienced crew
While new moving companies can prove themselves trustworthy, a long and successful track record is one of the things to look for in a moving company. You want to hire a professional and experienced crew who will adequately care for your belongings from beginning to end. And if a company has been in business for a long time and came with a good recommendation, you will feel better about entrusting them with all your stuff.
Therefore, try to find information about preserving belongings in good shape, keeping the prices reasonable, being on time, etc. These kinds of things will clue you in about how the company works, so you’ll know what to expect – respectful and experienced professionals or an unreliable crew.
Check if they have proper licenses and insurance
Never use an unlicensed or uninsured moving company. Anyone can buy a vehicle and pretend to be a professional mover. However, only those that are properly licensed and insured are legally obligated to secure and protect your belongings.
Movers must register with the US Department of Transportation for interstate relocation, after which they will be assigned a unique USDOT number. You may check whether a company has a legitimate DOT number and insurance using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s online database. State-by-state regulations govern intrastate movers. However, most states do impose licensing requirements. Therefore, look up your state’s intrastate license regulations and make sure the moving company you want to hire follows them.
Ask for complete transparency when it comes to payment
While there are many types of moving quotes, every reputable moving company can give you an estimate for hiring their services. This is just a ballpark figure, not the exact number you’ll pay at the end of the process. Unfortunately, some moving companies have hidden costs they present only when the job is done. These additional fees can be for packing materials or special services, for example. Therefore, to avoid unpleasant surprises cost-wise, look for moving companies that are completely transparent about all their expenses. Ask for a written estimate with all the parameters you mentioned. If someone refuses to give you this, it’s your sign to let them go and look for another company. Don’t let anyone sweet talk you into something you didn’t ask for!
Check their website and confirm the physical address
When choosing the right moving company, one of the first things we do is check their website. A quality homepage can give you an idea about how the moving company works. You can see if they are legit and serious about what they do. Also, you can inform yourself about all the services they offer, and you can read about their success stories. All these components of a quality moving company homepage tell you they really care about their clients and take their job seriously.
Look for tailored services
Every moving process is unique. Therefore, you have to find a moving company that’s versatile enough to accommodate all your requests. Whether you’re transferring belongings from a big family home or a tiny studio apartment, the moving company should be able to help you with both. Additionally, look for all the special services they offer. That can be furniture relocation, piano moving, professional packing services, commercial moves, etc. Ask the moving crew about how they operate and if they can help you with everything you need. Only when you hear a positive answer should you decide to hire them.
Final thoughts
Having a reliable moving company by your side throughout the whole relocation process is crucial. That’s why you have to do proper research and choose smartly. There are many essential things you have to factor in, but you should never forget these 7 things to look for in a moving company. If you follow this carefully curated guide, we guarantee you’ll make the right choice.