Moving is common, and there are many factors that can pull you away from your current home and into another area. Some people will schedule a local move to enjoy financial savings with more affordable housing, a better neighborhood or convenient proximity to work. Others may plan relocation out of town to be closer to family, to take advantage of a job opportunity and more. If you are planning to move soon, hiring a moving company can lighten your load. They provide the manpower and extra helping hands you need to move all of your belongings to a new home. However, your experience can vary based on which company you hire. When you are looking for a moving company to hire for your upcoming relocation project, focus your efforts on these critical points.
A Licensed and Insured Company
The licensing and insurance requirements for moving companies can vary from location to location. Furthermore, they can vary based on whether the company offers local or interstate moving services. While you need to verify that the company is licensed and has insurance, you also need to verify that their license is in good standing and that their insurance policy is active. This can be a time-consuming step to take, so you may only want to review licensing and insurance in detail after you have narrowed down your options to a couple of top moving companies in your area.
An Established Reputation
There are numerous moving companies in mid-sized and larger markets, giving you plenty of options to choose from. However, the best local moving company to hire will have a proven and established reputation in your market. With this in mind, it may be best to steer clear of new moving companies that are untried in the marketplace. You are entrusting the condition of all of your possessions to the moving company you hire, so you understandably want to choose a company that will not let you down. Look for a company that is known for providing quality service, fair rates and fast results if you want to enjoy the best overall experience from your moving company.
Great Consumer Reviews
With established companies, you likely will find numerous consumer reviews posted online. Consumer reviews tell you about factors such as how prompt the service was, if any items were lost or damaged during the move, if the moving team was courteous and other critical factors. It can be challenging for a moving company to fully satisfy all customers, and some customers may be far more demanding than others or may have unreasonable expectations. With this in mind, it is reasonable to expect to find a few mediocre reviews and even a random poor review. It is best to read through the actual details in a review rather than looking at the number of stars a company received. While reading reviews, look for a trend in the overall customer experience. You can eliminate issues that seem to be an infrequent or random. This will help you to more easily determine which company will provide you with the best overall experience.
A Detailed Written Estimate
A final and important factor to look for in a professional moving company is a firm, written estimate. Avoid working with companies that only quote their rates over the phone. “As you review a written estimate, look for caveats and fine print wording that may allow the company to charge you more after the work has been completed,” said Supportive Services Moving. In addition, look at what their charges include, and verify that the charges are reasonable. For example, look at the fuel charge in comparison to the miles traveled. Some companies will add a surcharge for wear and tear on the vehicle, but it should be a reasonable surcharge.
Relocating without the full support of a skilled moving team can be exhausting and stressful. However, hiring the wrong moving company can also be stressful as well as expensive. There are many companies to choose from when you need moving services, but the best one will provide you with an overall great experience at a fair price. Focus on these tips as you explore the options and pick the right company to assist with your relocation.
