Choosing a Reliable Long Distance Moving Company

What to Ask Moving Companies Before You Hire Them

Before you hire any moving company, it’s important to ask the right questions to find out valuable information about your potential movers. These questions can help you to better understand what your move will look like if you choose to work with a company, and it can help you determine if it’s a good fit. The following questions are a great place to start if you’re not sure about the most productive questions to ask a moving company!

• Are you licensed and insured?
• What types of moves do you specialize in?
• How do you calculate the cost of the move?
• Are your estimates binding or non-binding?
• What is your claims process for damaged or lost items?
• What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
• What does your moving timeline look like?

Although these questions cover a lot of ground when it comes to understanding a moving company and what your move would look like logistically, there are countless other questions to ask. Be prepared with a list of questions for your own specific circumstances.

How to Protect Yourself from Moving Scams

During your search for a long-distance moving company, protect yourself from scammers by knowing the red flags to look out for. With the right know-how, you can ensure your decision is wise and well-informed. Keep reading to learn how to avoid moving scams…

• Do Your Research: There’s no such thing as being too thorough while you search for your long-distance movers. Take the time necessary to do research and confirm that the companies you’re considering are legitimate and trustworthy.

• Verify Licensing: Make sure any moving company you work with has the proper licensing. Confirm that the movers are licensed by the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as these are necessary credentials that any reliable movers will possess.

• Check for a Physical Address: A legitimate moving company will always have a physical location to use as home base for their trucks and other supplies. In addition to the address, they will also have a phone number manned during business hours. This is an important part of a moving company’s communication, so lacking this aspect is a warning sign.

• Steer Clear of Name Changes: If a moving company has changed names, especially more than once, it’s best to look elsewhere for services. Scammers will often do this to avoid a negative reputation following them.

• Be Wary of Large Deposits: When movers require large deposits upfront before any services have been provided, you might want to consider looking elsewhere for long-distance movers. Typically, moving companies will not require money upfront, and if they do, it would be a small fraction of your total.

• Look Out For Lowballing: On the flipside, be wary of any company who provides a suspiciously low estimate. These movers are usually scammers who end up tacking on extra fees. This is also why it’s important to request quotes from numerous companies, as it allows you to understand what the average pricing looks like for your relocation.

• Get Everything in Writing: Having all agreed-upon aspects of your relocation services in writing is a crucial part of the process. This is what you will refer back to if any issues arise, and without these details in writing, you may not be able to address problems effectively. Steer clear of any companies that provide incomplete paperwork or, even worse, no contract at all.