4 Steps to Selecting and Hiring a Moving Company

If you are about to embark on a move across town or across the country, you know that it can be a daunting process. It can be even more challenging to find a reputable moving company. However, you can save a lot of money and avoid become a victim of a scam by doing some research ahead of time. There are steps that you can use to find and hire a moving company that will meet your needs and budget.

Ask for Recommendations

Chances are you have a friend, relative or coworker that has recently moved. They can serve as a great source of information for reputable moving companies in your area. Local real estate agents can also provide you with a list of moving companies their clients have hired.

As a last resort, you can search online for moving companies that are local to you. It is better to select a local company because you get an in-person estimate. Never hire a company that gives you an estimate over the phone without first visiting your home to see the items you need to move. 

Screen Prospective Companies

Once you have secured a list of prospective companies, conduct an online search to retrieve some basic background information for each company. You can always conduct a more thorough background check later. The Better Business Bureau and the AMSA (American Moving Storage Association) are excellent online resources to gather initial information. 

Also, take the time to check out websites that are dedicated to consumer advocacy in the moving industry. Most of these websites also post a blacklist of businesses that have complaints against them. 

Schedule an In-Person Estimate

After you have compiled a shortlist of four companies, you will need to contact each company for an estimate. A customer-oriented company will send a representative to your home to see what items you need to move. 

If you are moving out of the state, it is important to ask the company if it will provide you with a written, guaranteed estimate, or an estimate that will not exceed a certain amount. Both types of agreements will cap the price that you pay, and your costs will not exceed that amount. 

Show the Representative What You Need to Move

While the moving company's representative is at your home, show them everything that you have to move. Show them everything in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and backyard. All of your sofas, tables, and bookcases will need to be inventoried, as well as the rough cubic footage of your boxes. This can also be a good time to re-evaluate the furniture you may have collected since your last move. If you know your bed is on it’s way out, for example, you might consider having it removed rather than moved. In fact, a mattress in a box or other furniture can be delivered right to your new home so you’ve got one less thing to worry about later.

It is critical to show the moving company all of your items during the in-home visit because if the mover believes you have included more items on moving day, the movers can challenge the original estimate. Although you cannot be forced to pay more, the moving company will no longer be required to move your items at the original estimate either. 

Once you have accepted an estimate from a company, be sure that the company has the proper licensing and insurance to operate in your state. 

Planning to move is stressful and you do not need the added pressure of worrying if your personal belongings will make the journey to your new location safely. These steps will help you complete the process smoothly and give you a smooth transition to your new home. 

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