Moving can be a hectic process. In most cases, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made in a short period of time. This is especially true when it comes to choosing the best moving company. With thousands of companies around the country, it can be difficult to narrow your list down to just one. Here are a few things that you should know when hiring a moving company.
1. Licensing
If you want to avoid scammers, then it’s important that you choose a company that’s licensed. In fact, professional moving companies that move nationally are issued a license number by the Department of Transportation. Not only will this help you to ensure that they’re a legitimate company, but you’ll also be able to use their number to look up their complaint history. So before hiring someone, ask to see their license.
2. References
One of the best ways to find out if a moving company offers quality services is to check their references. Ask their previous clients if they were on time. Did they provide accurate quotes? Did they handle their items with care? You may even want to check with friends and relatives to find out if they’ve ever worked with the company.
3. Quotes
If you would like to ensure that you don’t go over budget then you need to work with a company that provides quotes and estimates. This way you’ll be able to plan ahead, financially. Keep in mind that there are many moving companies that offer non-binding estimates. This means that the price they give you is subject to change. So make sure that you find a company that offers binding estimates.
4. Insurance
It’s very likely that your personal items are invaluable to you. While the best companies always work to ensure that your belongings are well-taken care of, there’s always a chance that an accident could happen. That’s why it’s essential to hire a company that has liability coverage. This way, if the company damages your things while moving them, you’ll be compensated for these damages.
5. Online Reviews
While references can be a great way to determine the quality of a moving company’s services, there’s always a chance that the list of clients they provide will be biased. So you should also check online reviews. Online review sites such as Yelp can give you a good idea of the experiences that the company’s past clients have had with them. While there’s no such thing as a perfect company, if the company has more negative reviews than positive then you should continue your search.
Moving doesn’t have to be complicated. You can save yourself a lot of time and frustration by doing your research. Your moving company should be licensed, have great references and reviews, offer reasonable quotes, and be insured.
