4 Sure Ways To Getting The Right Moving Company

Finding a good moving company can seem like a daunting task. However, doing research online and among friends will save you time and get you a good move that will fit your budget. Shopping around can help you save a significant amount of money and at the same time avoid being scammed. Below are four sure ways of getting good moving companies:

Ask for referrals

A few weeks to the date that you plan to move, start looking for referrals from your work colleagues, friends and family. Local real estate agents can also recommend good movers that serve your neighborhood.

If you want to research on your own, check the online Yellow Pages for companies that have offices near your home. You want to talk to the companies in person and find out what equipment they have, how much they will charge you and whether they have any guarantees.

One thing you should specifically research and compare is the fees charged. Contact different companies and ask for a moving quote. Be wary of companies that give you a quote before coming to look at your home items or asking about the amount of items that will be moved.

Pre-screen the movers

When you have a list of potential movers that you can hire, it’s time to do a background check on them to narrow down to those that will give you excellent service and at the best value. Search online at review sites to check what other people are saying about the moving companies in your list.

In particular, look for remarks on the price, customer experience, guarantees, and packaging. Sites like Yelp and Google Local are great for finding unbiased customer reviews. Apart from these review sites, check whether there are any complaints against the companies at the BBB site.

Invite the companies to provide in-house estimate

Invite your best three or four companies to your home to give you a comprehensive estimate. If you are moving to another state, find out whether the company will give you a written binding estimate or a binding not-to-exceed estimate. These estimates guarantee that you will not pay more than a set cap for the moving service.

If you are given a nonbinding estimate, you should expect to pay more than the final cost of the estimate. Most interstate movers offer binding estimates for free. The interstate estimates are usually based on the distance of the move and weight of the items being transported. If you are moving within the same state, the rules about estimates may vary.

Having gotten the estimates, compare them and call the companies to get clarifications on anything that you do not understand. If the quotes are nearly the same, don’t be afraid to negotiate.

Work with a licensed company

Finally, check the company you want to hire is licensed to operate in your state. You can check licenses at the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To check, simply enter the company’s USDOT number and search. If the company is registered, you will get its name, address phone number and other details.