How to Choose the Right Movers for Your Move
You’ve found the perfect place to move, but that’s only half the battle. Now, you need to move all of your belongings to that new place. If that idea stresses you out, you’re not alone. Moving is considered one of the most stressful events people can go through in life. To reduce some of that stress, many people hire a moving company. But this is not a decision to be taken lightly. You want to feel confident that your possessions are in good hands. Pack-Men Movers will walk you through everything you need to know to help you find the right movers who will hopefully ease some of that moving day stress.
How to Choose a Moving Company
The search for your new home or apartment was indeed a time-consuming process. Luckily, the search for the right mover won’t be that lengthy. However, it is still a process to which you should devote adequate time. Follow these steps to find the right mover efficiently.
Read a Lot of Reviews
How do you really know what a good moving company is? You’ve got to read their reviews! You can’t always take a company’s word for how good their service is—after all, why wouldn’t they say it’s excellent? If looking online, check out sites like Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. You could also check their website, but they probably only chose the best reviews to include, which doesn’t paint a complete picture.
Online reviews are not the only place to check the credibility of a company. You should also ask friends, family members, and colleagues for their recommendations. Even if they don’t have a company that they love, they’ll be able to tell you which companies to avoid.
Start Early
Moving is already stressful enough. Likely, there will be many things to do that will be seemingly left until the last minute. The last thing you want to do is wait to find a mover until the last minute. Make sure you start your search for the right movers early. Searching ahead of time will give you time to compare companies and estimates. Plus, good moving companies will already be booked if you attempt to schedule something last minute. If they’re available at the last minute, there’s probably a reason why.
Find Experts for Your Specialty Items
Not everyone will have a special type of item to move. But if you do, you’re going to want to choose experts with a lot of experience. Some of these specialty items include pianos, gym equipment, and pool tables. You’ll want to be sure that the moving company you choose knows how to properly handle these big ticket items. Generally, this information is simple to find on their website or within customer reviews.
Find Experts for Your Specialty Items
Not everyone will have a special type of item to move. But if you do, you’re going to want to choose experts with a lot of experience. Some of these specialty items include pianos, gym equipment, and pool tables. You’ll want to be sure that the moving company you choose knows how to properly handle these big ticket items. Generally, this information is simple to find on their website or within customer reviews.
Verify Their Credentials
If you are planning a move across state lines, a mover must have a number issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This license identifies commercial vehicles that transport passengers or haul cargo in interstate commerce. Knowing whether a company is licensed is easy. They must provide the DOT number on their website and within advertising. The company should also have a carrier number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can quickly check these numbers online to ensure the company is legit.
Get Estimates
At this point, you should have a shortlist of potential moving companies. Now, it’s time to get some estimates. As a helpful rule of thumb, if the company isn’t willing to give you an on-site estimate, you shouldn’t hire them. In-person quotes are the most reliable since they will see firsthand just how much they will be moving. Also, make sure they write down the estimates. You cannot rely on them to keep their word with only a verbal estimate. Aim for at least three in-person, written estimates before you lock down a company. Several written quotes ensure that you have enough options to consider before you make your final choice.
While getting your estimates, make sure you have a clear understanding of what the company includes in its service. Do you have to pack everything up, and they simply transport it? Will they do everything—packing, moving, and unpacking—for you? Do they provide boxes, blankets, and other supplies? Is the cost of fuel included, or will that be a surprise charge at the end? Asking the questions will help you avoid unexpected expenses when you get the bill.
Compare Estimates
In the vast majority of cases, hiring movers based on cost alone is a mistake. When hiring a moving company, you typically get what you pay for. That’s not to say that the highest price is always the best either, especially if it is significantly higher than your other estimates. If you are comparing apples to apples, the prices should be pretty similar. If there is a significant outlier, you can generally rule them out right away.
When comparing your estimates, make sure you are taking every aspect of the move into account. Does every company offer every service that you need? Does one company have more negative reviews than the others? You should also consider the length of experience each company has.
Be Wary of Large Deposit Requirements
When choosing a moving company, be wary of any company that requires a large deposit. Any company requiring a deposit of more than 20% of the estimated cost is not the right mover for you. Many companies won’t need any payment at all until they deliver your belongings. If they do require any deposit or a fee, consider putting it on a credit card. That way, you can contest the charge if it is not correct.
Choosing the Right Movers
Every year, 40 million Americans move. As you can imagine, many choose to hire a professional moving company to help simplify the process. If you take the time to select the right mover, it becomes a much less stressful time. While doing the work might be time-consuming, it will be worth it when you find a dependable moving company.
If you’re moving within Illinois, let Pack-Men Movers take care of your move. We are a reliable, family-owned, and operated moving company located in Chicago. We offer full-service moving for individuals and businesses. Take advantage of our packing and unpacking services or opt for do-it-yourself packing. Request a quote from us today!
