Tips on Hiring a Moving Company

You’re Moving! Whether this has been a long-planned move or a last minute relocation, there is still so much to think about. You will be acclimating to a new area, changing addresses and notifying all important companies and organizations of your change of address, registering for schools, or maybe even finding a new job. On top of so many important things on your mind, there is the actual physical act of packing and moving. Fortunately, if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, it is possible to find a great moving company to help delegate the move to and keep your sanity in tact. Here are some helpful pointers when hiring a moving company:

1. Decide what level of service you will need

Will you have your house packed up and ready for a company to just load some boxes and pre-wrapped furniture into a van and unload at your destination? Or do you need help putting items in boxes, taping them off, wrapping furniture, the whole nine yards? Are you moving 2 blocks away or are you moving across the country, or across the world? Knowing exactly what you are looking for when you start calling around will prove to be very helpful in trying to get pricing quotes.

2. Vet the movers

Ask around for personal references from people you trust and double check the company reputation on online review sites and by entering their name in general to find complaints. Scan the Better Business Bureau site for any complaints lodged against the company and dig up any dirt you can. Afterall, these are your possessions and you want to have a reasonable amount of trust in. Which brings me to my next point...

3. Don’t put too much trust in the moving company

Anything that is exceptionally valuable to you (sentimental, information sensitive, valuable items) should be kept with you at all times. Keep these in your personal possession if at all possible. Even reputable companies have the possibility of hiring a bad egg on to their team, so better keep the sensitive items out of temptations way.

4. Get quotes from multiple companies

You don’t want to get stuck in the “It’s more than we thought” trap that can spell financial trouble. Best to get personalized and specific quotes that are realistic. Also, make sure to be upfront and transparent about your expectations and what you want help with. If any of these things will be an additional charge, you need to be told upfront and have it included in the quote in writing so it doesn’t add to the price later.

5. Make sure the company is properly insured

Ensure your possessions are in well protected and in good hands. Also, discuss upfront what would happen in the case something of yours was broken during the move. What protocols does the company have to minimize the risk and also correct the issue if it were to happen? You are moving, after all, things can break even when handled with care.

6. Inventory your items before moving

Before moving, take pictures of the more expensive and fragile items and the current condition in case there is a dispute later on. Know where some of the more important items are and be sure to open the box and check for them soon after moving. If there are any issues you will need to report this sooner than later.

7. Don’t go with the cheapest quote based on price alone

Make sure you do a side by side comparison on what value you are getting for the price when comparing. If a company’s price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The last thing you need is last minute, unexpected charges tacked on or an unprofessional move that leaves you in a bind. Go with your gut. If you really liked a company but they were a bit pricier than the rest, let them know that. See if there is any way to cut down slightly on the price or if there is any service you can forgo to get the pricing in your range.

8. Start early

Reputable moving companies get booked quickly, especially during peak times of year (think summer break and weekends.) Plan ahead and do your research early so the best companies don’t get dropped out as options because of availability.

Moving is stressful enough, you don’t need an ineffective company or extraordinarily high prices to make it hurt even more. Do some thorough research, ask around for referrals, get clear on your expectations in writing and start early. By paying attention to these details, you can help to put an easier and less stressful move in the books. You’ve got this!