There is no denying that moving is a lot of work. This is why so many people who are in a place of transition will turn to a moving company for help. Having qualified professionals handle the move for them can take a lot of burden off of their shoulders.
Unfortunately, hiring the wrong moving company can lead to even bigger issues.
Before you take the leap and hire the first moving company you hear about, you need to find out if they are the best choice. Since you don’t move every day you need to take time to gather all of the right information.
Below you will find the essential questions to ask before choosing a moving company.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
Just because a moving company has been in business for a long time does not mean you won’t encounter hiccups, but you are less likely to deal with them. New companies often come with new movers who don’t have as much experience. This can lead to things being packed improperly and result in items being damaged.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
Keep in mind that every state may have different requirements for moving companies, but it is always a good idea to ask this question. You want to make sure that they are legally running their business and that they have coverage should something go wrong.
Take the time to ask if employees are covered by workers’ compensation, too. If someone gets injured when moving your stuff, you don’t want them to hold you responsible.
Will You Be Moving My Stuff or Do You Broker it Out to Movers?
When you are on the hunt for moving companies, ask whether or not the person you are scheduling a move through is the actual moving company – or if they are a broker. While the latter is not always a bad thing, you still want to confirm they are a licensed broker and know who is going to be moving your stuff.
You can always ask for a list of the moving companies they work with so you can check them out. Or you can reach out and talk to the moving company yourself.
If a broker hides the fact that they are a broker, find another moving company.
Do You Provide In-Person Estimates?
This is a great question to ask. Getting an estimate over the phone means that they cannot see all items that will be part of the move. If something requires extra attention, you may be looking at an additional fee.
Simply put, in-person estimates help you avoid surprises.
If the company does not offer them, it shouldn’t automatically disqualify them as potential movers. Just be sure to allow for a little wiggle room in pricing in case there are any complications with certain items on your moving day.
Will You Disassemble/Reassemble Furniture?
Another important question to ask is whether or not the moving company will take apart your furniture and put it back together at your new place. In order to get some items out of the door and into the truck, they will need to be disassembled. This often includes bed frames and dining tables.
Although taking care of this is often the norm amongst moving companies, never assume that it will be done. It is always good to ask first.
Can I Pack My Own Boxes?
You may think that packing your own boxes wouldn’t be a big deal at all – especially since it means less work for the moving company. However, it is important to ask about this since some will not be pleased that you took the initiative. If something breaks due to poor packing, they do not want to be held liable.
Some moving companies will allow you to pack your own boxes, but they require that you use a certain type of box as well as a protective material like bubble wrap. So be sure to ask about this before putting in the work.
Finding the Right Moving Company
When you are doing your due diligence to find the right company, you are going to want to ask these questions – and any more that come to mind. Remember, they are going to be moving your entire life from one location to the next so you want to ensure they are professional and trustworthy.
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