Every year, millions of people relocate across America to start new lives. However, most of these relocations proceed easily and according to schedule is a miracle. That said, the fact that these movers engaged a moving company to handle their relocation requirements is something they share. Sadly, poor practices and scams are a reality in the moving industry, especially with thousands of professional movers operating in the US alone. You will never know if your money will go to waste or not!
However, by hiring a reputable moving or Removals Company, you can avoid a few common concerns listed by the BBB (Better Business Bureau). These include damaged belongings, high quotations, late delivery, etc. Since your moving day will already be stressful enough, adding these problems would only make things worse for you. So, with that in mind, here are a few tried and tested tips to help you hire the best moving company you can afford!
Obtain Estimates from Multiple Moving Companies
Most moving businesses offer free quotes to their clients. Some people favor binding moving estimates, while others favor non-binding estimates. However, with a binding estimate, the moving company commits to charging you depending on the services they offer and the number of belongings they load into the trucks.
In contrast, a binding estimate guarantees you’ll only have to pay an agreed-upon amount. It will therefore ensure that you pay the price stated by the moving business representative, even if your belongings weigh more than their estimate.
However, comparing quotes from two or three different movers would be a good idea before making a decision. Furthermore, investigate the services each moving company offers. For instance, hiring top removalists that offer moving services will be a good idea, especially if you want to reduce the number of items you want to move.
Ensure Your Shortlisted Moving Company is Insured and Licensed
Of course, most moving companies are working without proper legal documentation. However, to confirm that you only hire an insured and licensed moving company, visit the FMCSA’s website and check your mover’s USDOT number. This will help you find a ton of information about your shortlisted moving company’s legal status. Here are some things to watch out for:
- Has the moving company shared the same company name, phone number, and address registered on FMCSA’s website?
- A “No” should appear in the “outfield of service” field.
- The insurance details for the moving company should be listed in the bottom table. The “freight” field should read a “yes,” and the “insurance on file” amount should be $800,000.
If you don’t see any of the information mentioned above, chances are that particular moving company is not the right option for you. You can also contact the FMCSA through a phone call to learn more about your shortlisted company.
Perform a Background Check
It would be advisable to go online and conduct a brief background check on each moving company after you have narrowed your search to a few. For instance, you can learn more about the moving business you’re considering hiring by going to the Better Business Bureau’s website.
Additionally, you can get in touch with The American Moving and Storage Association to find out if the moving business you’ve selected is a member. By doing this, the business will be bound by the established tariffs of the group. Lastly, don’t forget to check movingscam.com to see whether the moving company you’re using isn’t blacklisted for scamming people.
Ask for Recommendations from Friends and Family
Your family and friends are among the most reliable sources for suggestions and reviews when hiring the best moving company. So, find out if anyone in your friends’ network has ever used moving services. In addition to answering your moving-related queries, they can advise you on moving businesses that have provided them with either bad or good moving services.
However, take your friends and family’s advice with a grain of salt. After all, trusting someone who hasn’t seen the inside of your clothes closet won’t be wise. Nevertheless, asking your relatives and friends for assistance is preferable to visiting a moving company’s website and receiving generic moving advice.
Lastly, do your own research on the moving firm to steer clear of scams connected to such services. But generally, your friends and family member are a great place to start for moving advice, especially if these individuals have moved in the past.
Get Everything in Writing when You Hire a Moving Company
When you determine that the moving company you intend to hire fulfills all the moving requirements, you shouldn’t hesitate to hire them immediately. However, when you do this, check your move’s specifics and date, and ensure to obtain everything in writing.
Whatever you do, verbal agreements are a huge NO! So, to ensure you and the moving company are on the same page, request written information about any discounts, coverage, estimates, and dates. This will allow you to protect yourself legally if something goes wrong during your move.
The Final Words
Even if it’s for the better, homeowners typically hate packing their entire home and moving to someplace new. The exhausting process of getting packaging supplies, moving heavy furniture, and loading trucks can get the best of us every time. of course, moving won’t get any easier as we fill our homes with stuff we don’t need. However, follow the tips mentioned in this article to guarantee your move goes according to plan. They will allow you to hire the best moving company you can afford!
