Many circumstances can force people to leave their homes and move to another location – unaffordable rent, job-related migration or wanting to be closer to a loved one. That’s why moving is one of the most stress-inducing events in a person’s life. However, you can overcome much of the stress of moving by hiring professional movers.
Reliable movers will transport your belongings to your new home in another city, state or country and make relocation a stress-free experience. But finding the right movers can be difficult. In America, the moving services industry has grown by 0.4% in the last five years, so people have many options from which to choose. This post will help you shortlist a moving company in nine easy, simple stages, right here:
- Watch out for common moving scams
Moving scams aren’t that common, and only a handful of Americans fall victim to this type of fraud. However, it’s still smart to know how to recognise these cons and keep your belongings safe from fraudulent moving companies. Here’s how you can steer clear of being swindled:
- Don’t work with movers who ask for a large deposit up front
- Ensure your moving professional has a valid, physical address
- Ask for their U.S. DOT number and then confirm it with the FMCSA
- It’s better if they’re a part of organisations such as the Moving & Storage Conference
- If the moving company offers an extremely low estimate, it’s likely they’ll scam you later
- Get recommendations from different sources
Most homeowners think it’s enough to search online for local movers. In reality, Google may not give you the best names in the moving services industry with just one click. Search engines will mostly show some of the best SEO-friendly sites on the first page, which is not a bad thing per se. But you should ask your family and friends for recommendations.
Many Americans will suggest Coleman Movers as your ideal moving partner. Serving customers since 1914, the company is known to handle residential, commercial and international relocations. Their skilled workers will pack, load and safely transport your belongings to your destination.
- Check for reviews, testimonials and work history
Check online reviews for all moving companies you are considering. These reviews will help you find the most trusted moving partners in your area. However, there are tricks to evaluate a mover’s trustworthiness from its online ratings. For instance, 4.9/5 isn’t a very impressive rating when it’s only based on a few dozen reviews. However, when it is based on 800+ reviews, you know the company’s worth considering.
Similarly, you should check external sites such as Quora, Reddit and Facebook to find testimonials, as a moving company can very easily post fake testimonials on their websites. Check their track record, work history and overall experience.
- Make sure they serve the area to which you’re moving
Not all movers facilitate commercial or long-distance moves. Similarly, not all moving companies provide their services nationwide. You should ensure the service provider you’re considering covers the state/s you live in and are to which you’re moving.
Professional movers cover more than twenty states and different cities to give customers a seamless relocation experience without any stress-inducing events.
- Interview different movers and get free quotes
After collecting the names of different local movers, it’s time to narrow down the list. Contact these movers, get free estimates from each, and compare their quotes to determine which company seems ideal for your situation.
Many companies will give you a number to call or ask you to fill out a form. Their agents will reach out to you and give you an estimate. Don’t sign up for the first name you find on the internet. Do sufficient research.
- Investigate hidden and additional charges
Some dishonest movers love to slip some hidden charges without your consent. Watch out for the following ‘fees’ when finding the ideal moving company:
- Complexity fees: Movers may charge you more based on the complexity of your movers, such as your new home not having an elevator
- Administrative fees: Getting you a Certificate of Insurance (COI) to cover liability issues
- Additional mileage fees: When your relocation plans accommodate more distance
- Only work with licensed moving professionals
Working with a random moving company might not be safe. You must ensure a moving company is fully licensed, listed on BBB and employs professionals. Never hire movers who aren’t licensed to work in the moving services industry, or don’t have sufficient accreditations. Just work with well-known names in the local relocation industry.
- Carefully read the fine print of the moving contract
After finalising your deal with the moving company, don’t forget to read the fine print of your contract. It may contain some hidden, additional details you might not like. Even though trusted movers aren’t guilty of hitting customers with extra fuel expenses or insurance charges, it’s better to read the contract before signing it. Make sure the fine print of the finalised version of your moving contract is exactly what you’ve agreed on with the moving company. If you spot something that’s unclear or wasn’t discussed before, have them edit the contract.
- Rent storage units and carry all essentials in person
Here are some additional tips to make your mover-hunting journey easier. You can reduce your burden by renting a self-storage unit. These temperature-controlled storage facilities can hold your clutter for months or even years. You can dump all the junk, bulky and useless objects in these storage units and transport fewer items to your new home. This trick will make movers charge you less for fewer objects, and then you can transport your excess at your convenience in the future.
Also, carry your essentials on your person when travelling to your new home. Don’t trust movers with items such as jewellery and important documents.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to relocate but don’t know how to hire local, reliable movers, this blog explains how to find the right moving company. Follow the above-mentioned guidelines, and you’ll find the best people for the job. Ask for recommendations, check online reviews and work with licensed movers. That’s how you can ensure a smooth move to a new location.