No matter if you’ve bought a new house, your apartment lease is up, or you’re looking for a new place to live because of work, you might be moving soon. Even though this can open an exciting new chapter in your life, moving is also known to be very stressful. As you have to cover everything from canceling and setting up utilities to moving furniture, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Trying to do everything on their own while still staying on top of work and personal obligations can be a bit too much for some people, so they decide to turn to professional movers. Experts in the field will pack and unpack everything professionally. Moreover, you can also save precious time and money as you will not have to make a few trips to the new location and back, which might be necessary in order to transport all your possessions.
If you too are thinking about outsourcing this task, a few tips on how to choose the best moving company can be very useful. Here is what you need to know.
Look for recommendations
The first thing you can do when looking for movers is ask for recommendations. Perhaps some friends or family members moved recently and have someone with whose services they were very satisfied. If they are unsatisfied, see why. Did any of their possessions get damaged? Was it all done on time? Was the original estimate honored? Depending on what they say, you can also decide which parts you want the movers to handle and what you can do on your own.
Read online reviews
In case there is no one you know that you can ask about previous experiences, you can also look for some help online. A simple search can show you ratings and comments other people have left for a certain company. People are more than happy to share their opinions so you can easily find information about how the whole process was handled. Whether it’s on Yelp, Facebook, or Google, they will list everything from how expensive to how careful the movers were. Just make sure to pay attention to the location of the business as some might have similar names while based in different cities or even countries. If you decide to contact any mover based on the positive reviews you encounter, ask them for references so that you can check with past customers how satisfied they actually were.
See if they have a license
While doing your research, you will see that some countries have licenses for moving businesses. If your country does too, you want to ensure the mover you opt for is licensed. On the other hand, if not, you should look into how many years of experience they have, whether they are registered as a company, and their safety records. You should also ensure they have insurance, as you don’t want to be liable for one of their workers being injured during the move.
Pay attention to their name
Something else to pay attention to is the name of the company. Sometimes, companies operate under different names to avoid bad reviews. If you notice that the same address or phone number is used for several companies, make sure to research them properly, as it’s possible that all of them will be poorly rated by customers. Steer clear of these and consider reporting them to the authorities in charge.
Opt for a local company
When looking through information, it’s always a good idea to opt for a local business that you can easily research. For example, you might be able to go to their office and talk to the people directly. This also means that you can inspect their equipment and see how friendly and approachable they are. Furthermore, this is a great way to avoid scammers as chances are higher that the business is not fake if they have a physical location.
Ask plenty of questions
Once you decide to contact a business, don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions. There are no dumb questions so make a list of everything that crosses your mind. Moreover, here are some more to consider. Ask how long they’ve been doing this and if they have the necessary licenses and insurance. See if they are willing to share some unpleasant stories from their past and provide you with some references. Go over their services and what you can expect.
Understand your needs
Before you go asking questions, it’s a good idea to understand your needs. For example, do you simply need someone to move the countless boxes for you while you handle the packing and unpacking? Do you want professionals to handle every single aspect of moving? In that case, you should look for a reliable removalist service that will provide you with everything from free boxes to transport. Make sure you are clear about your deadlines and what needs to be moved. If you have any special requirements, like moving a huge piano or a hot tub, discuss them beforehand.
Have them take inventory
It’s also important that the movers take inventory of all the items that they will be moving. They can come to your home a few days earlier to work out the weight of everything or have you do an online survey. Reputable businesses will note down all items in your drawers, bookshelves, and garage because the weight is what most prices are based on. Another big aspect of the price is how much space your belongings will take up in the truck. If there are some bulky items, they might have to do a few runs. Additionally, doing a walkthrough will allow them to properly plan how they will pack everything. Finally, by having everything listed, you will be certain that nothing is missing after the move.
Check various other costs
You also want to be aware of any additional, potentially hidden, costs. For example, will the boxes be included in the service or will you have to pay for them extra? If they are overcharged, consider packing up your own items in the boxes you find for less money. The same goes for other packing materials too. Keep in mind that the movers are typically not responsible for any damage if you’ve packed everything yourself. Furthermore, check if there are extra charges for using stairs or needing a smaller vehicle for your not-easily-accessible home.
Compare a few estimates
As is the case with most things, you shouldn’t go with the first option you find without getting a few estimates first. Only by doing proper research and comparing several movers will you be able to ensure you are getting the best deal. The lowest price isn’t always the best option, but a high price also doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. Weigh your options carefully.
Don’t sign a blank contract or give a huge deposit
There are a few no-noes to keep in mind as well. For one, never sign a blank contract as then you have no idea what you’re paying for and how much. Read through the contract and the inventory to make sure everything checks out. What is more, you shouldn’t pay a huge deposit to any company. Most of them don’t ask for any money and even if they do, it’s not over 20%. Remember not to use cash to prevent being scammed.
If you’re moving soon, make sure you take proper care when hiring movers. Keep all of these tips in mind for a stress-free experience.
