Chandler, the fourth-largest city in Arizona, is a diverse city with opportunities galore. The city is the base for tons of businesses and has a vibrant workforce. It is home to budding startups, lush golf courses, exotic hotels, an eclectic cuisine, and lots of shopping spots. With so many advantages, moving to Chandler seems like a good idea.
But here’s the catch. Moving isn’t easy. There are a lot of factors to consider, especially when it comes to moving your possessions. There are certain risks involved in it as well.
Given the number of moving companies in Chandler, AZ, choosing one might be difficult. This guide aims to solve this issue. It discusses in detail how you can pick a moving company that’s best for your needs and budget. Read on to find out more.
Plan an Objective
Objectives are important for just about every task. This rings true for moving as well. Figure out what you need before you start hunting for a moving company. Some companies limit their services to specific locations or distances.
It’s also wise to decide whether you need more than just moving services. Some moving companies offer additional services like packing and junk removal. You should also think about whether you need extra help moving fragile or particularly bulky items.
Referrals
You now have an idea of your needs. Your next step is to ask.
Just ask. Ask everyone you know about moving companies. Friends, family, acquaintances, and colleagues. Enquire about moving companies and their experience with them to receive suggestions on possible moving companies. Also, don’t forget to ask your real estate agent for a referral.
Do a Bit of Digging on the Internet
In addition to referrals, make sure to do your bit as well. Search the internet for moving companies that suit your needs and budget. Once you have found them, start looking for customer reviews. Check the positives and the negatives of a moving company before selecting or rejecting them.
Make sure you have at least three or five moving companies before moving on to the next step.
Preparing Estimates
It’s time to contact the shortlisted companies and ask for estimates.
The initial estimates you receive may not be accurate. This is because other factors, like how much stuff you have, will contribute to the total sum. Asking for estimates gives you the option of choosing a moving company that fits your budget. If possible, try to get a written/printed version of the estimates so that you don’t get a new amount later on.
Another factor to consider are flat and hourly rates. Moving companies that have flat rates have a fine balance of efficiency and speed. Hourly rates, on the other hand, may be an advantage to the moving company. They may work slower than required, dragging the work on for hours just to get paid more.
Also, make sure to inquire about additional fees like:
- Administrative fees
- Additional mileage fees
- Complexity fees
Filtering Out the Bad
Now that you have everything you need, you just have to choose one.
But that isn’t easy.
You’ll have to look out for potential red flags. They can either be something that you don’t like about the moving company or just your gut feeling.
Check the level of professionalism of the moving company. Are they rude? Are they dodging your questions? Did they show up on time for their in-house visit? Did they arrive in a rented vehicle? Answering questions like this will save you headaches in the future.
Another important thing to consider when choosing a moving company is licensing and insurance information. Access the search tool of FMCSA to check the license status of the moving company you’ve chosen.
You’ll also need to verify the insurance information of the moving company. This ensures that you have some kind of protection if you lose your items or if they are damaged while moving.
Draft a Contract
A moving contract is essential to avoid new problems popping up down the road. Drafting a contract is useful for both you and the moving company. It contains the terms and conditions that both parties have agreed upon. The contract will hold the following information:
- The services you’ll receive
- How much you pay
- Applicable gross weight of your belongings
- Additional charges you may be subjected to
- Bill of lading
- Date of moving
- Delivery window
- Limits of insurance coverage
- Terms of payment
Conclusion
Moving may be an exciting yet nerve-wracking process. It is important to hire a reliable company to move your belongings. Choosing the right company takes a lot of stress off the entire moving process.