Moving to a new home is an exciting time, but it’s inevitably stressful as well.
That’s why so many people decide to minimize their stress by hiring a moving company to help them with the process.
But, deciding which company to hire can bring its own stresses and challenges.
To make the process of choosing a moving company easier, keep these tips and tricks in mind to help you make the right decision:
Assess Your Moving Needs
Before you dive into the process of hiring a moving company, it’s a good idea to evaluate your needs.
In some cases, you might want to leave the entire moving process to full service movers that handle packing, transporting, and unloading everything in your home.
In other cases, you might want to handle some of the smaller items yourself, and only hire movers for large, heavy, or awkward items like furniture and appliances.
You’ll also want to consider the distance to your destination, and whether you need help moving any valuable or fragile items.
Knowing exactly what you need moved by professionals can help you narrow down your options and find a company that specializes in handling your specific needs.
Do Some Research
Once you have determined your moving needs, it’s time to research moving companies.
Begin by asking for recommendations from friends and family; personal referrals can often be the most useful source of information.
Next, head online and look for sites that provide reviews and ratings of different moving companies.
Reading the top positive and negative reviews can be a good way to get a clear overview of the service you can expect.
Finally, when you’ve narrowed your list down to a few potential movers, visit their official websites to get details on the services they offer, how long they’ve been in business, and any certifications they have.
Verify Licensing and Insurance
When hiring a moving company, it is important to ensure that they possess any required licenses and insurance coverage.
In the USA, any moving company offering services across state lines is required to have a licence with the US Department of Transportation.
For moves within the same state, different areas have different rules and regulations.
Look into your state or county’s specific licencing requirements for movers, and ensure the company you’re considering has the certification they need.
In Canada, there are no specific licencing requirements for movers.
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that any company you hire has adequate insurance coverage to protect your belongings.
Accidents can occur during transportation, and everyone has heard horror stories of beloved items damaged or lost during a move.
Knowing that there is insurance in place to protect you in case of any issues can make the stressful moving process much easier to handle.
Request Multiple Quotes
To get the best possible price, requesting quotes from multiple companies is a must.
When requesting these estimates, make sure you provide all the necessary information regarding the size and nature of your move.
To ensure a fair estimate, it’s generally best to request either an in-person or virtual survey of your belongings by the moving company.
This will ensure that the company provides the most accurate pricing possible, instead of relying solely on verbal descriptions of your possessions.
When comparing different estimates, you’ll also want to make sure you ask about any hidden fees that might not have been included in your quote.
Do an Online Background Check
Before making a decision, it’s wise to conduct an online background check on the moving company you’re considering.
Look for any complaints or legal issues by searching the company name alongside keywords like “complaint,” “lawsuit,” or “scam.”
You can also look into their ratings with companies such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or other consumer protection agencies to verify whether any complaints exist against them.
It’s important to remember that even the most reputable businesses will likely have some negative feedback.
However, a trend of consistently negative complaints are a more serious cause for concern.
Finding a dependable and trustworthy moving company takes some time and research, but it’s worth the effort to ensure a smooth moving process.
After all, there’s already plenty of other things to worry about when moving to a new city.
Choosing the best moving company means getting your possessions safely transported and unpacked doesn’t have to be one them!
You made an interesting point when you mentioned that it is a good idea to check with the BBB when you are trying to hire a moving company. As far as I know, you can severely hurt your back if you lift something improperly. Hiring a moving company seems like a good way to avoid injury if you are needing help.