Moving to a new house or a new space could be overwhelming. Most importantly, you have to take so many decisions in little time. Choosing the right date and selecting the bet supplies can cause a lot of stress. Not only is it the hardest but most important decision: finding the right moving company. There are a few important questions that you should ask the moving companies and a few things to look for in them. That is exactly what we would be helping you with, in this guide.
Is the company properly licensed?
The first thing to ask for from a moving company is to ask whether they are licensed. They would keep you on a safe side and prevent dealing with scams and rogue movers. Thanks to the department of Transportation in the US, all the registered moving companies have a license number. You just have to visit this website to confirm their identity and also look into their complaint history. This would give you enough information about them to make a decision easily. [i]
It is also important to note that there moving companies who transport customers only and the relevant state regulates them, not the US transportation department. If you are dealing with a local moving company, make sure that you ask them for their state license. You can learn more about the state ruled regulations and moving requirements which are different for every state.
Recommendations from the people in your circle
The internet might not be the most reliable source of information. This is because it is easy to put fake reviews just to get client’s attention. However, the most authentic source of marketing, as they say, is word of mouth. Start by asking your friends or family. If you don’t get much information from your circle, expand it and ask people about their experiences with the moving companies. The benefit of doing so is that you would be aware of any awful experience they have had or if they were hit with unexpected fee. Not only this would help you expand your search and shortlist more options, but prepare you for an abysmal experience as well.
On a bright side, it is highly possible that someone in your social circle have had great experience with a relatively new company that you don’t know of. It is hard to go with a company that is newly formed but personal feedback from friends and family helps you establish trust instantly. So, without wasting further time, get in touch with your friends and family to glean some details
Transparent Rates
In most of the cases, the moving companies charge on the basis of two things. First is the number of hours for which you require their service and second is the number of movers you need. These two factors cover the base rate in almost every moving company. However, please note that this is not the total cost that you will bear. Depending on the company you choose, they may charge your extra for any packing material used or higher chargers to move bigger or heavier objects. People only want a fixed price rate, and that too on the phone. However, it is recommended to let them visit your home and take a look at goods to be transported to get an accurate quote.
It is up to you to ask them what would cost them extra and whether there are any hidden costs. If you sense that the company is being hesitant to provide you such information or is concealing something, move on to the next company.
Liability coverage
Just like insurance, you would definitely want to make sure that your goods and belongings are covered, in case of an accident or a mishap. No matter if you are moving out of the state, or to a different country, it is recommended to find a moving company with several liability coverage options in place. In most of the cases, a licensed moving company is required to give 2 types of liability coverage to the clients.
- Full value protection: The moving company is required to offer the replacement value of all the goods they were carrying. This is the most secure reimbursement plan that you can get.
- Released value protection: This is the minimal protection that the client gets in the case of an accident. For example, the mover is responsible for 60 cents per pound per article.
Of course, if the goods you are transporting are of precious nature, you can purchase insurance from a third-party company. It is recommended to check if you already have home insurance that covers this area. Last but not the least, it your right to ask the moving company to show their insurance policy. [ii]
Tariffs and estimates
Moving companies usually use tariffs to charge customers and there are several factors that affect the tariff. For example, it is the distance of the move, number of workers required and total weight of your goods influence the tariff. Moreover, there binding and non-binding estimates that company use. A non-binding estimate, for example, gives you only the rough idea of the amount to be charged. Mostly, it is the pre-estimated weight that is considered for non-binding tariffs. Since this is just an estimation, these kind of estimates are only good if the mover cannot actually see the goods.
Binding estimates, on the other hand, gives you the price that you are actually going to pay. It also binds the client to meet and not exceed a specified amount of weight. This results in a lower cost than in the case of non-binding estimates. This is a good idea if the mover can visit your home or place and see the goods themselves.
Using these metrics and criterion, you can
find the right moving company for yourself. Make sure that you ask plenty of
questions from them, to be on the same page and avoid confusions.
[i] https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp
[ii] https://coverhound.com/insurance-learning-center/5-reasons-why-moving-companies-need-business-insurance