Moving can be exciting, but it can also be one of the most stressful things you do in life. As a matter of fact, moving is one of the top stressors of life, right along with a job loss, a major illness, a divorce, and the death of a loved one.
Fortunately, you can get rid of all that stress by hiring the right company for the job. The right moving company will be able to help you every step of the way regardless of the size and scope of your move, explains Avalon PM.
Now, to find the right moving company, you need to do more than just type “moving company near me” on Google search box. That’s why in this article, we’ll take you through 6 things to look for when hiring a moving company.
1. A good fit for your individual needs.
No two moves are the same. Whether you are moving a studio apartment or a four-bedroom house, you need to ensure that you hire the right moving company that can help accommodate all your belongings.
So, take a minute and think about your own individual needs. Then, pick the right fit based on what you are looking for. You want to consider things like:
- Whether the moving company will be available when the pickup and delivery times are convenient for you.
- Whether the company provides their own packing supplies. Examples can include garment boxes, bubble wrap, and moving blankets.
- Whether the company has the resources to meet your belongings safely and conveniently.
2. One with transparent rates.
When you contact a moving company to book their service, they will provide you a rate based on several things. Such things include the number of movers as well as the number of hours that will be required for the job.
That said, remember that that will only be the base rate and usually won’t include other potential fees. Some examples are higher rates to move large, heavy objects, additional packing materials, or other incidental add-ons. Others include:
- Cash for tipping movers
- Environmental charge (disposal fee)
- Hoisting fee
- Extra stop charges
- Express delivery fee
- Storage fee (delayed delivery fee)
- Move cancellation fee
- Long carry fees
- Elevator fees
- Fees for disassembly and re-assembly of furniture
- Moving insurance
So, be sure to know what constitutes extra fees before committing. Be especially wary of companies that aren’t forthcoming with such information.
3. One that is licensed and insured.
When it comes to moving, always hire a company that is both licensed and insured. You see, any group of troublemakers can purchase a truck and brand themselves as ‘professional’ movers. But as anyone can guess, these won’t be legally bound to protect your property.
Now, licensing and insurance depend on whether a move is within the same state (intrastate) or it involves crossing several states (interstate). For moves involving crossing state borders, the moving company needs to be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In this case, they will be given a unique USDOT number. You can search for it here.
For intrastate moves, please check the state’s specific licensing and insurance requirements as they are on a state-by-state basis.
4. One with a successful track record.
While there is something to be said for giving a leg up to a new business, always go with one that has been operating for at least a couple of years.
A quick Google search can help give you an overall overview of a company’s record on things like maintaining the condition of possessions, keeping rates fair, and being on time.
Unless a new moving company has glowing recommendations, stick with a time-tested one.
5. One with good reviews.
You also obviously want to choose a moving company that has good reviews. Once you have gotten a few names to choose from, you want to learn more about them by checking their reviews.
Generally, people habitually leave reviews based on how good or bad their experience has been with a particular service. If the service has been really good, they will usually want to let other people know about the service and vice versa.
6. Ones that have been recommended by people you trust.
More often than not, recommendations from people can be more helpful and accurate than online reviews. You will likely know quite a few people who’ve used a moving service in your area, so reach out to them and ask them about their experiences and who they would recommend.
It may be possible that someone you know had a great experience with a relatively new firm that doesn’t enjoy a strong presence online. Likewise, perhaps you may know of someone who had a horrific experience with an otherwise top-rated company.
There you have it. 6 things to look for when hiring a moving company. The right moving company can make all the difference during the move.