What to Look for in Moving Companies
Moving is a hard and stressful process and if you choose to hire a professional company to help you with the task, depending on who you pick, things can go well or turn sour. The biggest problem is that once all your belongings are put on the truck, you have little control over what happens next. This is why proper researching into the companies available can save you big headaches in the long run. There are numerous stories of people having the relocation from hell, with their belongings having been lost, mistreated or kept hostage in exchange for additional billing. If you are concerned about this, or just feel like you should be in more control during this step in your life, then maybe some of these tips will be helpful.
Search for the Source
One thing you may not have thought about is that, while the internet is a huge information source, a lot of the listed companies on it are not stationed anywhere. Identify a company that has a headquarters, and although the moving specialists you are interested in may provide nationwide service, their head office allows for all their work to be organized and prioritized. This also means that you can be more certain that any written letters, complaints, parcels or recommendations arrive and are read by the according official. In other words a truly reputable moving company cannot and shouldn’t have to run away from such responsibilities. This would be a big clue on whether you have found the proper movers for you.
Professional Movers are Fully Licensed and Insured
Once you have the attention of your relocation agent, spend some time asking for additional information. Some things you may be interested in are:
- How to contact them – their office, email and company addresses;
- Local and toll-free phone numbers;
- DOT and MC license numbers;
- Full company name and any DBA names (doing business as);
- References;
- If they have managed to capture your attention, ask for a price quote.
This is the best time to ask for insurance coverage, as you would receive the information from the source and it will be updated. Some additional accreditation will always be a plus, such as BBB certification. Don’t forget to research these additional certifications, and read more about how hard it is to receive them and what they really are a proof of. A truly professional company would prefer to flaunt these on their webpage, rather than make you search for this information. This should be a big clue, whether you can trust the moving organization you are currently researching.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Whichever company you hire, expect a perfect move at all times. Don’t allow circumstances to force you into making too many compromises. Whatever issue you may have, a reputable moving company would rather hear about it, and would do all in its power to correct any mistakes. To ensure you aren’t taken advantage of, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation, to see more about your personal rights and responsibilities when you move. A moving company’s staff should be available at any time, always doing their best to be of good use to you and your relocation, wherever it may be. You should have no hesitation to call or email, and always expect a prompt reply. A moving service provider, who takes forever to contact you back, or never does, cannot be trusted with your belongings, and you should not expect a quick and smooth relocation with them. Organization plays a big part in moving and a company that cannot time manage well is not professional enough to handle your goods’ transportation.
Once all the stress is over with, let us know how it all went and if you have any more interesting tips in the comments bellow. We wish you a pleasant relocation.
