Moving is supposed to be a time of excitement. But the reality of the situation is that there is a lot to get done. This is why having movers can make all the difference in the world. Having a professional to handle things such as packing and moving can alleviate the stress of the entire process.
When looking into moving services, it is important to consider a few factors. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a moving company that isn’t really what you have been looking for. Here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a moving company.
1. Track Record
Before hiring anyone, you should be doing your homework. There are a ton of moving services out there to choose from, but the best ones will have a track record that speaks for itself. Check out reviews and see what other customers had to say.
This is the surest way to vet a moving company that you are considering. This way, you can feel with some degree of confidence that you have made the right choice before the big day actually arrives.
2. Ask People You Know
Although reviews are a great way of vetting a company, there is nothing quite like getting a first-hand review from a friend, family member, or acquaintance. Even better, these people aren’t going to sugar coat the experience: they will say exactly what happened and how they felt about it.
With reviews online, there is always at least a chance that those reviews have been paid for. When it is someone that you know, they are going to give you all the details so that you can get an accurate portrayal of the actual experience.
3. Transparent Rates
No matter the business, there are few things that are more annoying than having to dig around to find rates and fees. By the time you actually find their charges, it has either become such an annoyance that it isn’t worth it anymore or their rates are far higher than you thought.
Whatever the case, a moving company should have transparent rates right from the start. This will give you a clear indication of what their services will cost and whether or not you can afford them. It also means less time wasted since you won’t have to carve out time to search for their rates.
4. Proper Licensing and Insurance
One of the most overlooked aspects when people choose a moving company is their licensing and insurance. Never, ever, ever use movers who can’t prove that they are properly licensed and insured.
Just because a group of people with a truck call themselves a moving company doesn’t mean that they are. Proper insurance means that if something goes wrong, both the moving company and you are covered. It means not having to get stuck in nasty disputes over fault and who will pay for what when insurance would solve the issue.
5. Verify Legitimacy
Going back to the above point about a few people with a truck not necessarily being a moving company, scams with fake moving companies happen all the time. The last thing you need is to hire a fraudulent company that will either damage or steal your stuff.
Find out the vital information about the company before hiring them. Find out their licensing, look up any service records, and make sure that they have an actual, physical address that isn’t a PO Box. These may seem like simple and obvious things, but there are too many people who don’t bother checking.
6. Requisite Services
There are some moving companies that are simply a couple of people lifting your stuff. There are others that offer a full suite of services, from packing and planning all the way through the moving day itself.
Find a moving company that can offer the best array of services based on your needs. That means help with packing, providing supplies, and even ensuring that their availability times line up with whatever your needs are. These are things that can be overlooked, but they are all important and can greatly impact the experience that you have with a moving company.