What to Look For in a Moving Company

When choosing something to buy – a souvenir, a present, a piece of clothing, a new item for your home – you don’t just walk into the first shop you come across and pick at random, do you? You most certainly have a number of requirements, preferences, and expectations you want your chosen item to meet – it will have to suit your practical needs, your aesthetic taste, your available budget, and who knows what else.

So, what about when it comes to choosing a moving company for your forthcoming relocation? How do you pick the best movers for your particular relocation needs? How do you find a good moving company that will take proper care of your items and will ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation process? Just as with anything else, you need to know what to look for in a moving company in order to make the right choice, right? But what may that be?

Safety, low cost, and high quality of service, above all.

To make sure your chosen movers meet these ultimate wants, you need to confirm that they fulfill certain essential requirements. Here is what to look for when choosing a moving company:

LEGITIMACY

Your first and foremost task when considering your relocation options is to find out if the companies on your list of potentially suitable moving partners are properly licensed. To ensure the safety of your move, you need to hire fully bonded, certified movers who operate legally and meet all the federal insurance, safety, and financial standards.

Membership in a reputable movers’ association, as well as in the Better Business Bureau (BBB), guarantees that the company abides by the national guidelines and assumes liability for the items in its custody. The most certain way to verify your movers’ legitimacy, however, is to check their license – a legitimate interstate moving company must have a USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and an intrastate moving company needs a state license in order to operate legally.

So, when reviewing potential movers for your forthcoming relocation, make sure you visit the FMCSA official website (or your state’s government website in the event of a local move) to find out if they have a valid USDOT number (or state license).

Good to remember: Hiring licensed movers may not be enough to fully protect your move. Scam artists come up with many different kinds of fraudulent schemes, so you need to stay alert throughout the entire relocation process and learn to recognize the red flags of moving fraud in order to successfully avoid any eventual scams and rip-offs.

AFFORDABILITY

Affordable pricing is quite often the decisive factor in the choice of a moving partner – after all, the relocation process is really expensive, so the lower the moving costs, the better, of course. And yet, that’s not all – you need your affordable movers to offer good customer service as well, right?

To find the perfect balance between quality and cost, you need to get at least three or four on-site moving estimates and compare the prices and conditions offered by different moving companies.

Make sure you find out exactly what the quoted price includes – ask the movers what they consider extra services and how much they charge for them; what kind of packing materials and packing assistance they provide and at what cost; what deposit they require and if it is refundable under certain circumstances; if they have any minimum charges (in the event of a local move); if they offer any discounts or promotions; what payment methods they accept; and any other money-related questions you may have in order to get a clear idea of how much you’re going to pay in the end.

When you have all the necessary information, you’ll be able to make your pick – a company that offers high-quality services at a reasonable price.

SEE ALSO: What is the average moving cost; How to make moving affordable; How to save on a long distance move; How to cut moving costs and expenses

EXPERIENCE

Competence is arguably the most important thing to look for in a moving company. If you’re going to entrust your cherished possessions to complete strangers, at least you need to know that they have the expert skills and professional know-how required to perform a smooth and problem-free relocation. This comes with experience and proper training.

Movers that have been in business for many years have faced a large variety of relocation scenarios and gained rich experience in dealing with all kinds of difficulties, unforeseen circumstances, specific requirements, and other moving challenges. They are pretty good at what they do and will know how to handle your belongings in a safe and efficient manner and how to take proper care of all the other aspects of the arduous moving process.

Also, have in mind that no moving company would have remained competitive for a long time unless it has proved to perform well and deliver each and every time. A flawless track record means a big deal when it comes to moving services.

Experience means speed and efficiency, so when interviewing your potential movers, ask them how long the company has been around, if they hire full-time movers and provide adequate training or employ temporary workers (who will lack any experience and will probably make lots of rookie mistakes), if they have specialized moving equipment (such as hoisting and rigging system, for example) and good storage facilities, etc. This way, you’ll know what to expect when hiring the company.

SEE ALSO: Questions to ask movers when hiring their services

RELIABILITY

If you want a single answer to the bothersome question “What should I look for in a moving company?”, it is trustworthiness.

A trustworthy moving company will encompass all the features you may be looking for in your relocation partner – it will be legitimate and insured, will provide excellent customer service and treat your items with great care and attention, will have clear rates and conditions, will deliver on time and settle problems in a mutually beneficial manner, etc.

So, the actual question is how to find a reliable moving company. The easiest way to do so is to verify the company’s credentials and perform extensive research on its background and reputation:

• Read online reviews left by previous customers – a company that has over promised, under delivered and over charged will have plenty of negative reviews;
• Call the FMCSA’s safety violation and consumer complaints hotline to ask about complaints against your chosen movers. Find out how disputes have been resolved in the past;
• Check the company’s rating with the BBB;
• Find out if the company has won any awards or accolades for service;
• Ask the movers to give you references and show you letters of recommendation.

It is also a good idea to ask your friends, family, or coworkers for recommendations even before you start looking for a reputable moving company. If they have used the services of a certain company or have reliable information about its performance, they will be able to either recommend the movers or warn you not to hire them based on personal experience or genuine knowledge.

INSURANCE

It is crucial that you hire a moving company that is fully bonded and insured and, therefore, liable for damage.

It’s true that no amount of compensation is going to ever give you back a lost or damaged item of high sentimental value, but proper insurance will at least give you some peace of mind – especially if you are relocating very expensive or delicate articles (sensitive electronics, artwork, etc.).

Have in mind though that the basic liability protection which you get for free covers only $0,60 per lbs per item and does not allow punitive damage claims. A reputable moving company will offer full value protection as well – it incurs an extra charge but if you choose to go with it, the movers will be liable for the full cost of repairs or the replacement value of every damaged or missing item.

So, when interviewing your potential movers, make sure you ask about the insurance plans they provide and choose the liability coverage that works best for you.

One more thing to know: If you choose a moving company that is not properly bonded and insured, you may be held responsible for any accidents or personal injuries that occur on your property on moving day (if a mover gets injured when carrying your items, for example). To avoid such troubles, make sure your chosen moving company is fully insured before hiring its services.

CONVENIENCE

Convenience comes right after safety, speed, and efficiency in the list of reasons why you should use professional relocation services when moving house.

So, when researching your options, you need to be on the lookout for a moving company that will be able to suit all your needs and preferences in regard to the timeframe of your move and the particular circumstances of your relocation. You need to find a moving company that:

• has a moving truck of the right size to accommodate all your stuff (or has smaller moving vehicles that will be able to access your property in case a large truck cannot approach it because of physical constraints, such as narrow roads and weak bridges);
• has specialized moving equipment that will help the movers work in a safe, quick, and efficient manner and will allow them to perform any necessary specialized moving services;
• has experienced movers who will ensure a smooth and hassle-free moving day;
• has a moving crew, an appropriate moving truck and all the necessary equipment available on your preferred moving date;
• can guarantee pickup and delivery dates and times that are convenient for you;
• offers a delivery window that suits your needs;
• offers exclusive use of vehicle if you want your items to be transported separately from other customers’ goods;
• has a consolidation policy you can take advantage of it in order to cut down the moving costs, if you wish so;
• has a safe storage facility where your items can be kept for a while, if necessary.

SPECIALIZED SERVICES

In addition to the standard relocation services a moving company offers (transportation of household goods, packing and unpacking of items, loading and unloading of customers’ belongings, etc.), you may need some specialized moving assistance:

• Crating – a custom packing service used to ensure the safety of extremely fragile or oddly-shaped items of great value (like artwork, for example). Such delicate pieces are carefully wrapped in adequate protective materials (bubble wrap, packing paper, etc.) and put in custom-built wooden crates or cardboard boxes that are cut apart and form-fitted around each piece for maximum protection;
• Disassembly and reassembly of furniture – large furniture that doesn’t fit through doors or other narrow spaces in the home has to be disassembled for the move. The movers have all the necessary tools and professional knowledge to safely take apart bulky furniture pieces and transport them to their final destination without so much as a scratch;
• Appliance servicing – upon the customer’s request, the movers can disconnect electrical appliances, pack them safely for shipment, transport them and reconnect them at the new residence (for an extra fee, of course);
• Hoisting – household appliances or large furniture pieces that don’t fit through the door and cannot be safely disassembled can be squeezed through a window and lowered (or raised) with the help of a rope-and-pulley rigging system;
• Shuttle services – when physical constraints block the access of large moving trucks to a property, the shipment will have to be picked up (or delivered) with the help of small moving vehicles;
• Split pickup and delivery – if the items to be moved have to be picked from several different locations (storage, parents’ house, temporary lodgings, etc.) or if one part of a shipment has to be unloaded at the customer’s home and another part to go into storage or to be delivered somewhere else, the movers will have to travel to several different locations and make several stops in order to perform the move;
• Warehouse handling – a shipment can be kept in the carrier’s storage for some time while pending further transportation.

Have in mind that not all moving companies offer all of these services, as some of them are very difficult to perform and require specialized equipment and adept skills. If you need any kind of specialized services, you have to find out if the movers you intend to hire offer them and at what costs and conditions.

GENUINE CONCERN

Genuine care about your items and your move is what sets good movers apart.

Good movers will take proper care of each and every item they’ve been entrusted with – they will pack your treasured belongings as safely as possible (unless you have done that yourself), label them properly, secure them well in the moving truck, follow your handling requirements, etc. – and will take all the necessary precautions to prevent property damage, both to your old home and to your new residence.

They will not only do everything they can to ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation process, but will also give you plenty of useful tips and advice on how to best prepare for your relocation, how to avoid crucial moving mistakes, and how to ensure the successful end of your moving endeavor.

The more careful and attentive your hired movers, the less stressful your moving experience is going to be, there is no doubt about it.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

A composed and constructive attitude is another essential thing to look for in a good moving company. Remaining focused and good-humored in the face of unexpected problems and occasional setbacks will allow your movers to find a solution and overcome any challenges along the way. Besides, a friendly smile or a cheerful remark will literally work miracles on the long and strenuous moving day.

But even more importantly, a moving company that has adopted a positive attitude towards its clients will handle any eventual disputes or complaints in a fair and reasonable manner, until the problem is settled and a compromise is reached. You’re unlikely to remain dissatisfied with a company that can find a way to resolve conflicts in a mutually satisfactory manner, right?

TRANSPARENCY

Last but not least, you need to look into your potential movers’ “transparency policy”.

An honest and respectable company will have nothing to hide and will readily provide all the relevant information you may need – its USDOT number, physical address and telephone number, its tariffs and terms of service, its available insurance plans, etc.

It will give you an accurate estimate of the final moving costs (instead of quoting a lower price at the beginning in order to secure the job and charging you a much higher amount at the end) and will include all the negotiated details of your move in the Bill of Lading.

The moving documentation (order of service, valuation addendum, inventory lists, receipts, etc.) will be full and clear, so that you understand every part of it and have nothing to worry about.

You will be able to rest assured about the legitimacy, safety, and ultimate success of your move.

To sum it all up, when shopping around for movers you need to:

1. Make a list of your requirements to the moving company;
2. Research your options and contact a few reputable movers;
3. Prepare a list of moving companies that seem to be appropriate for your needs;
4. Ask the movers all the fundamental questions you need an answer to;
5. Get on-site estimates of your moving costs;
6. Compare the offers and find the movers that offer the highest quality services at the most reasonable price;
7. Perform thorough research on the company you intend to hire;
8. Make sure you’ve picked licensed, insured, experienced, and trustworthy movers to work with;
9. Read the moving paperwork very carefully to check if all the details you’ve agreed upon are explicitly stated in the relevant documents. Make sure you understand and agree with all the clauses in the moving contract before signing it;
10. Enjoy your smooth, safe, and successful relocation experience!

(As your move is guaranteed to be a success when you know what to look for in a moving company.)