If you’re planning a big move across the
country, it’s a great idea to hire the services of a moving company. Why?
Movers will take the stress and hassle of moving off your shoulders.
* Sponsored post
Instead, you can focus on your family and
the excitement of moving to a new home and city. Your items will also be
professionally handled. No more worrying about that well-meaning but clumsy
friend dropping your grandmother’s china.
So how do you choose a long-distance
moving company that’s right for your family? Read on
for the best tips in the industry.
Licensed and Insured
What’s the most critical requirement for
a moving company? They must be licensed, bonded, and insured. Why is this
important? It will protect you from scammers who want to make a quick buck.
Unlicensed movers are operating
illegally. They’ll have no coverage
should their truck break down or a worker hurt himself when lifting your box.
Professional movers will have insurance to cover accidents, their workers, and
their equipment.
If they aren’t licensed, they are not a
legitimate company and they can sue you for any damages incurred in the moving
process. Should they damage your goods, you’ll be unable to file an insurance
claim against them.
Detailed Quotes and Contracts
When asking a moving company for quotes,
you should expect several things to occur:
- They will physically show up at your house to determine the amount
of space needed for your possessions.
- They will draw up a quote based on their estimation of space,
time, cost, and distance.
The quote you receive should be thorough
and detailed, pinpointing how much space, time, labor, and mileage is covered
in your cost estimate.
They should also include any extra
expenses they believe necessary and optional add-ons they offer. A quote sheet
that only lists a dollar amount is not
an appropriate quote.
Similarly, contracts should be detailed
down to the last mile. Read it carefully and be sure no lingering questions
exist.
If:
Important information has been left out
of your contract, do not sign it! Ask for your agreement to be re-written. If a
company hesitates to fulfill your request, look for a different company.
When asking for a quote or eventually
signing a contract, most companies will not ask for a large deposit upfront,
and no company will ask for it in cash. If your company asks for a cash
deposit, this is a huge red flag.
Experience, Reviews, and Referrals
Experience is everything when it comes to
the moving business. Movers who have been in business for decades will be more
organized, professional, and quicker than a company that started this year. In
general, the more experience, the better your move.
When movers have been around for several
years, they’ve had time to build up a reputation. Read through reviews. Check
good and bad comments, realizing companies cannot please anyone. If red flags
show up in reviews, strike the company off your list and move to the next.
If you have family and friends who have
completed a long-distance move, ask what
companies they used. Referrals are often the best way to score a professional company
that will do the job right.
If your family loved their company,
chances are, you will, too.
Options are Plentiful
The number of moving companies can be
quite overwhelming. By following these tips, you’ll be able to hire a company
of qualified, licensed, and professional movers. Remember, this is your life.
You want people to treat your move as if they were moving their friends or
family.
Now that you’re equipped with the
know-how needed to hire your own movers, do you have a company in mind?
No comments
Post a Comment