Choosing a Moving Company
Beginning a life in a new house? Then you’ll have to learn how to pick a mover –and not just anyone who drives a van, but somebody who is actually trustworthy. Remember, these guys will handling your precious possessions. The following are tips you can use in choosing a truly dependable mover:
Licensing and Insurance
Any mover operating within your state should have a state license and be eager to show you a copy. Those that move out of state should have unique license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation.
As well, make sure your prospective mover has adequate and current insurance coverage. Don’t even entertain a mover that is unlicensed or uninsured. You want them to be responsible for any damages on your stuff while it’s in their care. Besides, they can never be licensed if they don’t first get insurance. Don’t take the risk hiring unlicensed and uninsured folks who consider themselves are a moving company if if it’s all a side job for them.
Read moving reviews.
One way to trim down your options is to check out online reviews and get sense of how satisfied their past clients have been. Don’t simply focus on the ‘star rating’ – look at how many reviews a mover has too. If the positive ones outweigh the negative by a huge margin, it’s safe to assume they’re reputable. You can also use other web-based tools like Home Advisor or Angie’s List. And don’t forget the age old standard: the Better Business Bureau.
Invite them to your phone to provide you a quote.
A phone estimate certainly seems convenient, but it’s no doubt a red flag as well. You need someone who will actually come to your home and take a look at your belongings personally. As you might expect, people are usually clueless at gauging how much stuff they have. Telling– as opposed to showing–a mover that your home has three bedrooms doesn’t reveal whether those rooms are fully or barely furnished . If they insist on giving an estimate without actually seeing your stuff, it may mean that they are not as experienced as you want them to be.
Don’t choose a mover just because their offer is cheap.
As you begin speaking to movers, you’ll notice that prices differ significantly. As always, you get what you pay for. To make sure your belongings are safe in transit, pick a company with the proper equipment, packing materials, and knowledge. Even if a company seems outside your budget at first, there’s usually room to negotiate.
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