Like most consumers, you will want to start your search by asking friends if they can recommend a company and checking out listings and websites of companies in the truck and van line of business. After you have had a list of suitable moving companies, you will find yourself at the most difficult and challenging stage of making a choice because most of the companies you’ll find online will have impressive websites and an interesting history that backs their service, but you will be looking for one that meets certain requirements. Below is a guide on how to find a reliable moving company.
Check Out the Companies on Your List
You want to find out if the companies on your list have a good reputation in working with their customers and in handling claims. You understand that inconveniences can happen during a move and you want to ensure that the company you hire will take care of you and your shipment. So, check with the organizations like the Better Business Bureaau (BBB) and the American Moving & Storage Association for complaints against the company and how they handled them. Dissatisfied customers will often post reviews of a service online, so you will be able to locate those reviews by entering the name of the company followed by “review” on search engines. Your initial screening should help you eliminate candidates who are not quite suitable for the job.
Get on the Phone with Shortlisted Movers
There are many reasons you should get on the phone with the companies on your short list. First, the way a moving company handles your initial call can tell you a lot about their reputation. You want to determine if the employees are professional, patient with prospects, and forthcoming with information you need to know. You are checking if there can be a good rapport with the representatives. Make sure you ask questions that allow you to know if the company has the experience required to handle the kind of move you are moving. Ask the company if they have assisted customers before in shipping things to your new location, especially if you are moving into another state. Schedule an actual appointment with the company to get a written estimate.
Request for Estimates and Compare Them
Be wary of removal companies who give you an estimate over the phone or without seeing what you have to ship. You want to get written estimates and they should be provided after an inspection is done by the company’s estimator. During the estimator’s visit, make sure you show him or her everything. Let them know if there are challenging situations to handle in your new home. Are there things like stairs that can make it difficult to move certain items? Is some part of the house under construction? Do you have things that need a special care? You want to be as forthcoming as possible as you don’t want to pay more than what is stipulated on the estimate. The estimate should serve as a legal document that authorizes the move, and it can be your bill of laden, so ensure that every item is listed and that the words “Binding Estimate” appear at the top of the estimate. You can negotiate for a cost that fits your budget and get the highest cap of what you can pay. After getting estimates from different companies, compare them and note that the lowest bidder might not necessarily be the best shot for you.
Review the Companies for Reliability
You want to make sure that the moving company you hire for the service is registered and licensed to provide the service, so ask for a copy of their license. Reliable companies want to protect their clients and their business, so they buy insurance with liability coverage and you should check that out as well. By the time you finish talking with the estimator, you should make sure that you have the contact information of the company, its phone numbers, email address, physical address, and legal name. Get references and call them to find out if they were satisfied with the service provided by the moving company.
You will need to be organized and thorough if you want to hire a company that can help you relocate uneventfully. With the above guide, you can be sure of hiring a company you can trust and transforming your move into a fun experience.