Moving cross country is one of the most challenging tasks so choosing the right moving company is crucial for the final success of the endeavor. Probably only the international relocation beats it in terms of complexity of logistics, planning and execution. If you ask moving companies if they can handle your long distance interstate move almost each of them will give you a positive answer. The fact, although is different – most of them actually do not have the expertise, professionalism and experience to handle it successfully. As long as moving cross country on a long distance do not happen quite often in a lifetime and it is also very expensive, be sure to pick out your mover really accurately with the help of this guide.
How to select a reliable cross country mover
Finding a reliable interstate mover is a long process so start as early as possible. Do a thorough research from the comfort of your home – make a search in the Internet and look the web sites of moving companies in your state first and then nationally operating moving companies. A web page can tell a lot about its owner but do not solely judge the moving company on its site. It is not very expensive nowadays to build a nice looking web site and lure customers with low cost moving offers. With such companies you’ll eventually find yourself in a lot of trouble. To avoid this unfortunate scenario, be sure to:
- Check moving companies’ accreditations. See if the company you are considering is fully licensed, bonded and insured. The Better Business Bureau web site (bbb.org) offers an easy search in its database of accredited businesses. If the moving company is accredited business it means that you may rely on their commitment to make a good effort to resolve any consumer complaints. You can also check whether the mover is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association (moving.org). AMSA also runs a consumer protection and certification program called ProMover. If a moving company is certified as a ProMover you can be certain that it possess industry’s recognized professionalism and expertise for smooth cross country relocation.
- Reputation is king. Nothing is more useful than getting some first-hand impression. Reading moving reviews, ratings and testimonials on actual cross country moves can help you build your own opinion on movers’ reputation. Make sure that the mover you are researching has enough positive moving reviews. You can even contact the customers that wrote the reviews and ask them for more information or any other specific questions that may concern you for your move.
Get moving quotes and estimates
It is always good to save money on moving but be aware for some suspiciously low bids – usually something is not right with bids that are considerably lower than the rest.
After the research is done you should have a list of at least three or four moving companies to get a free moving quote or even call them for an in-home estimate. When you get your moving estimated read them carefully to find anything that is unusual or difficult to understand. In this case do not hesitate to call the mover and ask to explain in detail all you need to know. For interstate move it is always best to ask the moving company if it will give you a written binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimate. These estimates will guarantee that you are not going to pay more for your move. Compare all the bids and choose the best one but be aware for some suspiciously low bids – usually something is not right with bids that are considerably lower than the rest. Look also at the high bids and try to find out where the extra costs are coming from. If you have several reasonable bids from reputable cross country movers do not be afraid to negotiate better rate. Particularly in such competitive market, most movers will agree to work on the final price.
Choose your mover
Finally, after all this information gathered and the checks you’ve run you can be confident in choosing the right cross country mover. The only thing left is to sit back and wait for the time to enjoy your move in sweet anticipation for you new life coming. Just remember to fine tune the process by confirming the dates and details of your move and make sure you get a signed order for service and bill of lading.
