Choosing a Reliable Long Distance Moving Company
When you’re preparing for a long distance relocation, one of the most valuable decisions you can make is to opt for the help of professional movers. However, you might not realize that hiring a moving company requires the proper consideration to ensure you end up with experts you can truly rely on.
Otherwise, you might end up with a subpar moving company or even worse – rogue movers. To wisely choose the right moving company for your needs, it’s crucial to know how to complete the process and what to look for. Looking to find the ideal moving company for you and your needs? Keep reading to discover our tips and tricks!
How to Get Quotes from Multiple Moving Companies
The first step in your journey to finding reliable long distance movers is to request quotes from multiple companies. Receiving a quote from a moving company is a huge part of the decision making process, as it determines how the expense will fit into your budget and addresses the unique circumstances your movers will need to meet.
To start the process, many moving companies have online forms you can fill out. Alternatively, you can call the company directly. This will allow you to schedule an in-home estimate from a moving professional at the company – a non-negotiable necessity from any dependable movers. If you reach out to a company and they try to provide you with a quote without a thorough assessment, steer clear of this company and its services.
When it’s time for your in-home assessment, a moving expert from the company will visit your home and determine the estimated cost of your moving services. During this time, it’s important to communicate your needs and any unique circumstances associated with your relocation. The representative should factor a wide variety of elements into the provided cost, such as the amount of items you’re moving, proximity to parking, stairs vs. elevators, and more.
As you go through this process, be sure to request estimates from multiple companies. Typically, it’s advisable to request quotes from at least three movers. This allows you to get a better picture of what a fair price looks like for your individual needs.
How to Check Moving Company Reviews
One of the best ways to determine which moving company to work with is to read online reviews. These customer reviews are an effective approach to gaining a candid look at what movers are able to offer to you, and luckily, they’re readily available for your perusal! To find this feedback, simply search the company’s name followed by “reviews.” Plenty of websites provide platforms for people to write their honest opinions of companies, usually through a five-star system, as well as a written feedback portion.
Reviews are a helpful way to discover other customers’ experiences with a company. Although a single negative review among many instances of glowing feedback isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s important to look out for trends in customer comments and ratings.
If a long distance moving company has a habit of providing subpar services or exhibiting unprofessional behavior, it’s most likely in your best interest to hire other movers. These reviews clearly display this information so you can make a thorough, informed decision.
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.
