Today, there are several important factors that you should consider when preparing to move. And, in addition to sourcing the required moving supplies and planning for logistics, you will need to hire a moving company. Professional moving companies are a lifesaver—they make the entire moving process easier.
However, choosing the right moving company is not easy. Statistics released by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in 2012 showed that there were over 7,700 complaints related to movers in the U.S. The report further indicates that most of these complaints came from damaged or lost property. Also, other factors like charging clients for extra hours, filing to move within the set period, as well as fake estimates were on the list too.
This shows the importance of choosing a moving company wisely, and to do that, you will need to vet all your prospective moving companies. The following are the top 6 things to look at when choosing a moving company.
Reputation
This is one of the most important things to consider, and you can know the company’s reputation by researching more about it. The information that you gather after researching the moving company can help you determine whether the company meets your expectations.
You can ask around your family, friends, and co-workers, together with online reviews to get more details of the company you want to hire. Typically, no mover should ask you to book your schedule with money—it’s even illegal for the company to do so. Professional movers will go the extra step of proving their expertise to show you the services you get once you hire them at no cost.
Licensing and insurance
A license will tell you whether you are dealing with a legitimate moving company or not. A mover’s license, together with other requirements normally differ depending on the nature of your move. Thus, if you are searching for an interstate mover, the company must have a federal government licensing, as well as a DOT (Department of Transportation) number.
You can verify if the mover meets these requirements by checking with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When hiring a local mover, contact the state moving association to confirm the moving company’s licensing, as well as other requirements. Please note that these requirements do differ from one state to another.
In addition to licensing, it’s important to confirm whether the mover is insured. You can also verify this in the DOT’s database. If the moving company is insured and licensed, it means your belongings are protected while on the move.
Certifications
Yes, most people believe that movers shouldn’t be certified. However, a professional moving company should have proper certifications, as this proves that the company is operating legally. Any reputable moving company shouldn’t hesitate to provide these certifications upon request.
When choosing a moving company, make sure you check if they have these certifications:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) Licensing
- Pro Mover Certification by the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)
- Department of Transportation Licenses
Experience
According to the professionals at Torex Moving, this is another essential thing to look at when hiring a moving company. Since you will be entrusting your valuable possessions with the moving company, you need to ensure they have the skills and professionalism needed to take care of your items. Now, this professionalism and skills come through proper training and experience.
Experience translates to efficiency and speed. Therefore, when hiring movers seek to know how long they’ve been in operation. Besides, seek to know if the company has employed full-time movers or they employ temporary staff. Stay away from moving companies that employ temporary staff, since the staff is prone to making silly mistakes, which can prove to be costly in the long run.
Besides, check to see if the company has specialized equipment like rigging and hoisting systems, as well as secure storage facilities. These details will give you in-depth knowledge of the services you will get once you hire the moving company.
Does the company provide a written contract?
Hiring professional movers can be costly, especially if you are moving over a long distance or you are moving valuable items. Besides, it requires a lot of effort and time to find a good mover—but, you should always insist on getting a written contract from your mover.
A contract helps to give detailed information about the move, as well as the responsibilities of all the parties involved. Besides, a written contract helps to stamp the legitimacy and reputation of the moving company.
Cost
Lastly, it is essential to consider the cost of moving your goods. Generally, most people don’t prefer costly moving companies. When considering the cost, start by comparing the services that you will receive for the money you are paying. At times, you will come across different companies providing the same services, but at different costs. Here, you should avoid choosing the company with the lowest or highest rates. Besides, you should be careful to avoid hiring a company that asks you to pay extra money for an extra service. A good moving company should cover all these costs in their initial quote.