Although getting professional help can take a lot of the worry and stress out of any move, it is also difficult to trust someone else to care for your possessions the same way that you would, shopping to find the best option for your move will give you the peace of mind you need get you and your belongings to your new home successfully. Check out our tips for finding the best movers to fit your needs.
Know And Communicate Your Needs
Before you can start your search, it is important to know what you need out of a moving company. Do you need auto transport services? Do you need full packing services? Asking yourself and prospective moving companies questions like these will help tailor your search so that you aren’t wasting time on companies that aren’t well equipped for the needs of your move.
Ask For Recommendations
Whether you are moving long-distance or locally, a great place to start your search is by asking for recommendations from friends and colleagues. Especially if you are moving for work, take the time to involve your HR team in the process. Often times, they regularly deal with relocating employees and will have some advice on who does a good job in the area. If you are moving locally, ask friends who they used and what level of help they received to help guide you to movers in the area that will fit your needs.
Get Estimates
As with anything with a variable cost, it is important to get a few estimates to make sure you are paying a fair moving cost for the services you are asking for. When requesting estimates, make sure to communicate as accurately as possible about the scope of the move to ensure you have the best estimate possible. The best moving companies will even offer in-person estimates for packing and moving, so consider prioritizing companies that will come and do an estimate on-site to have confidence that your move will stay within your budget.
Check Reviews
Don’t have a neighbor or co-worker to ask? Luckily, customer reviews are here to help you make the best choice. When going through reviews, try and look for ones that have similar situations to your move. Although any information on the service provided is useful, targeting specific reviews will give you added confidence that they can execute your move properly. Also, be wary of fake reviews. If a review looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Inspect What You Expect
As you know, anyone can say they have a clean safety record and the proper insurance on their website or even over the phone. Keep yourself protected from liability while your movers are in your house and make sure you verify the company’s claims. Ask to see their insurance certificate and the amount of coverage that they are carrying for their employees. The last thing you want to add to your moving expenses in a large medical bill for one of the movers.
Know Your Contract
Before signing any agreement, it is essential to read over the contract carefully. Be on the lookout for hidden fees that were not mentioned such as equipment rental or adding an extra mover. Although many companies are legit, there will always be scammers out there so protect yourself. Also, be sure you know what the deposit is beforehand. Although it is common for a moving company to charge a deposit, if that amount exceeds 15% of the estimate, that would be unusual and something that you should be wary of paying out.