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CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOVING COMPANY

Updated: Jan 14, 2023


Hiring a moving company starts with knowing what to look for and which questions to ask. You are trusting people you do not know with your most precious items during one of the most stressful experiences of your life! It’s important to do your research so you’re sure to hire the best moving company for your needs. Here’s our advice.



START EARLY

Moving day is stressful enough without scrambling to find a moving company at the last minute. Leave yourself plenty of time to compare companies and estimates.


READ TONS OF REVIEWS

Word-of-mouth and online reviews are the best place to start when choosing a moving company. Friends, family and colleagues will give you recommendations, and read reviews on trusted sites like Yelp, Google and the Better Business Bureau. Moving is a tedious, tiring, and if I'm being honest, boring business, so try to wait until you find people enthusiastically recommending a company. If a person is passionate about a MOVING company, you know the company is REALLY good at what it does.


FIND EXPERTS IN WHATEVER YOU NEED TO MOVE

You don’t want guys you found on Craigslist transporting your beloved grandmother's piano. If you have specialty items like pool tables ,pianos, or gym equipment, find a moving company with experts who know how to handle them properly. There is no better teacher than experience, so actively seek out people with more experience. A 20 year old is most likely not going to be qualified to disassemble and move your treadmill.


GET ESTIMATES

Once you’ve compiled your shortlist of moving companies, it’s time to get estimates. As a golden rule, if a moving company doesn’t give you an estimate when you ask for it, you shouldn’t hire them! If possible, get at least three in-person estimates before committing. This way, you’ll have sufficient options to consider when making your final choice. The key with estimates is to cut through the BS. If someone is telling you that a move will only take 1 hour but common sense is telling you that isn't possible, it probably isn't. Beware people who tell you what you want to hear to get your business. Your more likely to have positive experience with an honorable person who tells you what you NEED to hear even if it means he loses your business. In short, wait until you feel comfortable with the person giving you the estimate.


FIND OUT WHAT’S INCLUDED


Do you have to pack everything up yourself or will your movers take care of it for you? Will they provide boxes, blankets, and other moving supplies? Is fuel included in the price or will it be an extra charge smacked on at the end? Ask the right questions to avoid unexpected costs on moving day.



FIND THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN QUALITY AND PRICE

Determine the value of each moving company by comparing quality versus price. Remember: cheap movers aren’t good and good movers aren’t cheap! But a high-priced estimate doesn’t automatically equal a quality moving company. There are a number of factors to consider — from price, to reputation, to what’s included in the service.


PUT ON YOUR DETECTIVE CAP

It’s time to do some deep investigation into your shortlist. Reviews and estimates are a solid indicator of value, but there’s more to a company’s credibility than meets the eye. If you’re moving between states, the moving company must be licensed with the Department of Transportation, so double check their license number in the DOT database. Ours is listed at the bottom of our website. Many companies operate without insurance — again, look into it. We are fully licensed and insured by federal and state guidelines. There may also be other requirements, depending on your location and where you’re moving.


TRUST YOUR GUT

At the end of the day, use your better judgment when choosing a moving company. If a mover shows up for an estimate with a dirty truck and disheveled clothing, the company might not provide the quality service you (and your things!) deserve. As long as you do your due diligence and listen to your gut, you can trust you’ve chosen the best company in town.


 



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