Moving can be a big hassle, especially if you have lots of stuff to take along with you. Packing up, getting a trucking, loading and unloading your things, driving to your new home – the entire process is just hands down stressful and time-consuming. Of course, you always have the option to hire professionals so you don’t have to do them yourself.
The problem is when you hire the wrong mover. While all of them will say they are the best, that is for you and other consumers to decide. To ensure that your stuff is safe, look into a few things before deciding on a particular company to hire.
Your Budget
First and foremost, how much would you be glad to pay a moving service? All that you let them do will be added to your bill, so take note of that when making your estimate. With a rather limited budget, you’ll have to strike a balance between quality, convenience and cost. That means you may have to do some of the tasks yourself – the easiest ones at least – and let the moving company take care of the rest. Also, ask for two or three different quotes from different movers and make price comparisons.
Distance of Travel
If you’re moving long distance, there will be two things to consider when choosing a mover: the cost of the move itself and the moving companies you will be choosing from. Some local companies don’t move beyond the state line. If you’ll be moving to another state, book them ahead of time so you won’t have a problem with availability
Insurance
Many movers will pay only part of the value of your belongings when they get stolen or broken. No matter the details of their insurance coverage, it’s a must that you know. If you find their coverage inadequate, simply add more coverage.
Overall Reputation
It’s one thing to know how much you’re covered for your things, and it’s another to know if a mover has a reputation for stealing or breaking items. Get online, do some homework and focus on reviews published on third-party consumer websites. Check with your local consumer protection bureau. The number of years the company has been in business is another sign of their reputation. Remember, disreputable companies normally don’t stay around very long.
References
Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask your prospective moving company for references. Don’t listen to excuses. If it seems like a big deal for them, be suspicious. If they provide sincere, honest-to-goodness service, they should be excited to have you hear the good news from their old customers. Otherwise, there’s something they don’t want you to know.