This Is How You Search For the Right Kind of Movers
Moving is a stressful experience without the added issue of figuring out which is the best moving company for you. Moving is an expensive ordeal. No matter what the reason, you can be pretty confused as to what needs to be done.
Checklists can only help you that much.
There is a horde of movers and move out cleaning services out there, and the whole thing can get quite overwhelming. Truth be told, I have too had a hit and miss experience with most movers. But, in this entire experience, I have managed to figure out certain not so hard things you can do to ensure you have a pleasant experience.
Recommendations Rule All
Ask around. Your family, friends, and neighbors would have at some point moved and used a moving company to help them out. A recommendation from a friend is much better than going in blind as that will give you a holistic vision of the services offered by the company.
The internet can be the right place if you don’t know too many people in the area, but the catch with online reviews is that they can be modified.
Once you get your recommendations, now go online and check the business credentials. Check if the information listed online is accurate or not. After you have run a basic check, you can ask the ones you liked to come for estimation.
Get an At-Home Estimate
Further, also pay attention if you need a specific kind of mover. There are specialty movers out there who help with the move. The type of mover you need also depends on the sort of furniture and stuff you own.
Your antiques for understandable reasons cannot be handled the same way your dining chair is.
A good moving company will always make it a point to come down and give you an at-home estimation. This is done by taking an inventory of everything that needs to be packed and moved, and weighing it. Ask the estimator to give a complete breakdown of how they are categorizing your payment and on what basis they are charging you the said amount.
Three Strikes and Then You Decide
Always follow the rule of three while zeroing down on the agency you want to hire for the move. Ask for at least three companies to come over and give you an estimation, as it is impossible to provide an evaluation without thoroughly gauging the volume of your belongings.
A good company will always provide you with a guaranteed cap amount beyond which the final amount cannot increase. When an estimator comes over and gives you the estimated amount, show that you have been doing your homework. This will get you the best deal possible on the amount as they will know they are not the only ones in the market.
But before you finalize a mover, do collect the below-mentioned information from each one of them.
- Company’s full name and address, also ask if they operate under any other name (never a good sign though)
- The phone number, website, and email address
- References for you to double-check their previous clients
- MC (motor carrier) and USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) license numbers
At the same time, don’t go running behind the lowest bid. You don’t want to compromise on quality. If you see extra costs figure out their sources. Call the companies if you want clarification. You can never be too sure.
Verify the License Numbers and Check Insurance
It might be tough to believe, but there are a lot of companies out there who operate without a state-accredited license. You can use the number that you collected during their visit and check up saferys.org to get more information about the company. If you have accurate numbers, chances are you will get the right information.
Additionally, you can call the FMCSA’s safety violation and consumer helpline to see if any complaints are registered against your company. If you want further peace of mind, you can always make your way to the physical address of the company.
Select the Mover
Finally, all the hours of research have paid off, and you can select the mover you want. Call them up and set the dates for your move. Ensure that you get a signed bill of lading and order for service.
Moving Day!
You are moving! Once all your stuff is loaded, and you have given the correct directions to the movers for your new address, get a movers inventory list. Also, get the driver’s number and give them yours. Just in case something happens during the move, you should be available on call.
Your move should be a smooth experience, and one can never be too vigilant about their belongings. Some movers even have the option for you to track your goods as they move through different cities. Finding a mover is a tedious task, but I think with the right guidance, you should be able to make your way through the ordeal without any issues.