Traits to look for in a moving company

With a household move just around the corner you must be wondering whether you will manage to do everything by yourself. The truth is that small, local moves are perfectly doable without the assistance of a moving company. Unless you are moving to another state or overseas, in most cases the final decision falls down to the moving budget.

But, if you don’t feel comfortable moving everything on your own, the good news is that nowadays there are more options than ever when it comes to hiring a professional moving company. Chances are that some people get a bit of sticker shock when they realize how expensive moving can be. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road, make sure to factor in the following expenses.

• Moving truck/van rental
• Fuel
• Moving insurance
• Packing supplies and moving equipment
• Travel costs
• Temporary lodging
• Personal expenses
• Security deposit

After you get moving quotes from a number of different companies you will be able to compare them with DIY costs. Moving companies can issue an accurate moving estimate either by visiting your home or by engaging some of the modern technologies. As a matter of fact, video moving estimates seem to be as precise as the in-home ones. Provided that you’ve linked up with a reputable moving company, you will get an accurate and detailed quote in no time. Also, depending on the time of the year the move is taking place, chances of getting good moving deals or  significant discounts are pretty high.

Qualities of a good moving company

It’s no secret that moving house is one of the most dreaded events anyone can face. Regardless of whether the move is beneficial for your family or comes as a result of some unfortunate events, the process itself can be rather overwhelming. At least the right choice of moving company can make it significantly easier for everyone involved. What’s more, hiring a professional moving company doesn’t have to be necessarily more expensive than DIY approach. Therefore, start your quest off on the right foot by setting your priorities as well as compiling your unique moving checklist.

If pros of hiring professionals happen to outweigh the pros of a self-move, make sure you have an efficient strategy on how to spot the most reliable of movers. The truth is that many moving companies pride themselves on providing outstanding services. But, not all of them are a good fit and chances are you may come across some really dishonest movers while doing your research. The best way to outsmart those who are looking to take advantage of you is to do a thorough background check. By reading online moving reviews you’ll come to realize that the best moving companies usually take pride in being:

1. Trustworthy
2. Punctual
3. Licensed and insured
4. Experienced
5. Consistent

Before you trust the handling of a lifetime of belongings to the first moving company that offers an appealing moving estimate, think twice. Not each company that presents itself as reputable will meet your requirements. So, make sure to collect as many details about your prospective movers as possible before committing to one. It’s highly important to dig deep into the company’s practices and general performance so as to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate team.

Asking right questions when interviewing movers

As with any other service provider you should be careful when choosing movers. You may be surprised at how many con artists there are in the moving industry. So, making an extra effort and investing a bit more time into the process of selection can go a long way.

The truth is that first impression counts, but it’s always a good idea to prepare a list of questions that may give you the big picture. A casual conversation with your prospective movers may help you avoid unpleasant surprises later on. Unless you perfectly understand terms, policies and charges associated with the move, you may end up with the charges you haven’t planned for in the first place. An analytical strategy will help you assess and compare moving companies and their quotes. While the pricing itself does matter, the first impression about your prospective movers is an important aspect you should factor in when deciding who to hire. In order to get a sense of what your movers provide, take the time to ask these questions before signing any contract with your movers.

• How long have you been in the industry?
• Are all members of your staff full-time employees?
• Can you show me your license, USDOT number, registration with FMCSA and references?
• How do you perform the cost estimation?
• Does the quote include all additional fees?
• Which payment options do you accept?
• What type of insurance do you offer?
• In case of long-distance moves, who will provide services at destination?
• Do you offer storage services?
• What kind of moving boxes do you provide?
• Do you support an eco-friendly initiative?

Worst-case scenario when hiring a moving company

When moving to NYC the key to a smooth move is to avoid fraudulent moving companies. Given the nature of NYC moving industry, unfortunately there are lots of companies looking to take advantage of uninformed customers. A constantly growing number of complaints filed against local and interstate movers seems rather discouraging. The good news is that you can keep those unfortunate events and worst-case scenarios with your movers at bay with a couple of extra questions or hours invested into investigating your prospective moving company.

As it turns out, people who fail to interview their movers are more likely to get scammed by dishonest companies.

Underestimating the importance of this crucial step may result in a series of potential troubles and delays. If your earthly possessions fall into the wrong hands there’s no telling how much you will need to pay to get them back. Not to mention additional stress and havoc those unpleasant situations may generate. Taking the time to do your homework proves to be worthwhile eventually, don’t you think?