Choosing the right moving company isn’t as easy as you might think it is. It requires more than just hiring a few sets of hands to transport and pack belongings to your new place. A good moving company should make the move stress-free. A wrong hire could do the opposite. By choosing accurately, you can avoid the annoyance of the most usual complaints about moving companies. Those complaints include things such as inaccurate estimates that lead to high bills, damaged or missing items, delays in delivery and even companies that won’t release your possessions until you pay additional fees. Before choosing a moving company, you need to know what you’re looking for. Check out these 5 easy steps by our local movers Westchester in choosing the right moving company.
1. Recommendations from people you know
Even though Google might be one of the best places to start looking for your moving company, your loved ones and friends can help, too. You probably know people who used moving companies in your area, so go ahead and talk to them and ask who they would recommend. There’s a possibility that someone you know had a bad experience with a highly-rated company, or might’ve been hit with lots of unexpected fees that are not listed anywhere on the company’s website. Likewise, maybe someone had an amazing experience with a fairly new company that doesn’t have a strong web presence. If you start with family and friends, you might obtain some important information on choosing the right moving company that you won’t find online.
2. Insurance and license
Never choose a company that is not insured and licensed. Anyone can call themselves a moving company by buying a truck, but only those who are officially insured and licensed are legally bound to protect your belongings. Interstate movers have to register with the U.S. Department of Transportation, after which they’re given a special USDOT number. You can make sure a company has a valid DOT number by searching this database given by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Regulations for interstate movers depend on a state, but most states do have licensing requirements too. Research interstate licensing laws in your state, and then confirm that your moving company abides by them.
3. Beware of fraudulent movers
Millions of people move every year, and even though only a small percentage experience moving company fraud, it’s not uncommon. In order to verify a moving company is legitimate, look up their service records, check for an active license, and make sure they have a valid physical address. In addition to this, you may be able to figure out if a moving company is a scam by looking for weird information or typos.
However, some moving frauds are clever in the way they hide. Other things you should look out for are how often they change their name. When it comes to businesses, they want to keep the same name for as long as they can. Although, name changes do happen, if the names don’t match up or if it’s too often, it would be for the best to find another moving company.
You can also check if the company is a scam by checking out the reviews. It can be a concern if they don’t have any reviews since it may mean they have deleted the negative ones or no one has used their services yet. This could also mean that the company is new but you will need to do lots of research if you decide to go with them. By the way, beware of too many positive reviews. These can be bought and faked.
4. Moving Budget
Now that you’ve gotten the referrals from your loved ones and made sure the company you’re going with is legit, it is time to make a moving budget. Your moving budget has to do with a lot more than just packing your stuff up. Basically, you need to get your possessions out of your current location to the new home undamaged. However, you need to research what there is on offer in your area. From there you can figure out what your budget is. Keep in mind that your calculated moving expenses can depend on:
- The time it will take to complete moving out
- Will the moving company help you with packing and unpacking
- The weight of your belongings
- Which day or season you would like to move
When you know this and have figured out what would be the best for you, you can answer your question: How can I estimate moving costs? Start by asking a moving quote. Labor only movers Yonkers offer budget-friendly moving services of exceptional quality.
5. A good mover for your individual needs
Whether you’re moving a studio apartment or a four bedroom house, you have to make sure that the moving company you hire can assist you. You should think about your individual needs, and then ask the right questions to make sure you’re choosing the right mover. Some things you should consider are:
- Does the company has a moving truck that is the right size to fit your boxes and furniture
- If the company can offer additional packing supplies such as bubble wrap, moving blankets, garment boxes, etc.
- Does the company is available in a time frame that meets your needs and can guarantee delivery and pickup dates and times that are convenient for you.
If you’re in need of commercial, residential, or piano moving, check out moving services Westchester and ask about specialty items moving.
Choosing a moving company is easier than it seems, only if you commit to doing it right
You should make sure you have the right information when choosing a moving company. You also have to make sure that the best moving companies are in your price range. It can take quite a lot of time to get all the information you need to make the right choice. Also, you need to do some back and forth to do all the work around the relocation management. But, if you don’t have the energy or time to do this; be it you have too much to do, you’re in a hurry, etc. We suggest you take some time to explore all the options movers in Westchester New York are able to offer. Expect some moving advice, as well.
