With the moving business growing so rapidly over the past few years, it has become increasingly important to double-check who you are hiring for your relocation. The reason is very simple. With the number of good-quality companies growing so quickly and competing with each other, the number of low-budget, fraudulent companies appears to be mounting, too. For that reason, people are reluctant when hiring a moving company. They often risk their health and safety by deciding to DIY the whole moving process. Even though that might appear like a more affordable option, it can turn out to be very risky, if you’re inexperienced and don’t have the right skills or tools. That’s why a reliable, professional moving team is surely the right answer. Here are the best tips on hiring a moving company – everything you need to know from the first Google search to stepping to your new home safely.
The search – the first step in hiring a moving company
The first step is looking for the best ways to find potential moving companies you can pick from. There are several ways to do that, and we recommend using all of them in finding the perfect team for your move. The easiest way is browsing the internet. With just a few clicks you can get a never-ending list of moving companies and also read the reviews to learn more about them. Even though this seems like the easiest way to do it, use the information you find online just as the first step in your search. It’s a good idea to ask people you know about the recommendations. Word of mouth is a safe way to find great moving companies that your friend or relatives had a great experience with. Furthermore, ask your realtor for some advice, too. They probably know the well-known companies in the area. The mix of all these strategies will guide you to the most suitable and the safest choice.
Be careful: Reading information online can be deceiving, as there are many fake reviews on the internet. That’s why you should look for these from trusted sources – USA Moving Reviews is one of them. Websites like this one include all the top-rated moving companies in the country. So, browse them by area and read honest reviews and information about each of them.
The quote
One of the things to know when hiring a moving company is how a reputable moving team should provide you with a moving quote. This includes evaluation of your home, detailed estimate of your move, and the general communication with the clients. So, to be able to differentiate a good company from a bad one, we recommend narrowing your search. Namely, choose the top 3 companies and get an estimate from each of them. Also, it is important to pay attention to the following things when communicating the representatives:
- a good moving company should be clear about their services – you should be able to understand all the rates and services, and also get answers to all your questions.
- the deposit shouldn’t be large – no reliable company will ask you to pay a lot of money upfront, so a large deposit is a red flag for you.
- a detailed inventory is a must – to be able to give you a precise estimate, a moving representative should make a detailed inventory of the whole house or office. The estimators that come to your home should as you about the items you will be moving, specialty things, and the new location.
- hidden fees – when you get a moving estimate, ask about the final price of your move, and if there are any hidden fees. Increasing the price after the items are loaded is a common technique for rogue movers.
- company’s information should be clearly visible on their website and not suspicious. You should avoid moving teams that switched names a couple of times, have complaints on the Better Business Bureau website, or have incomplete info online. Their phone, address, and other info should be easily found.
- precise documents – Always avoid signing any blank contracts when hiring a moving company. Any paper you sign should include all the necessary info about your move.
Ways to save money when hiring a moving company
Moves can get expensive, so we need to include some ways to cut the costs down when moving into a new home. Here are some tips.
Know your move
Be sure to know the type of your move, so you can hire an appropriate company. Local, long-distance, international moves – companies that specialize in each of these will offer more affordable rates. Also, make sure you know the size of your move. Otherwise, you won’t be able to estimate the costs and prepare your budget.
Relocate off-season
Depending on the place you’re moving to, certain months are more popular for people who move. These are often spring or autumn months. If you avoid them, companies can offer lower moving rates which can help you save a lot.
Packing on your own
Hiring a moving company without taking their packing services can reduce the moving costs a lot. You have to pay for professional packing supplies, as well as the time and labor of the team. However, if you opt for the DIY option, the movers aren’t fully responsible for the safety of your items. So, to avoid any damage, be sure to prepare for the packing process and learn all the necessary techniques. Nevertheless, pay attention to all the specialty items you shouldn’t pack and move by yourself. Sometimes, trusting fragile items to move pro is a much better idea.
Conclusion
Hiring a moving company is not easy, but it’s surely a wise decision. However, if you pick the perfect moving team, there shouldn’t be a reason for worries and stress. It is possible to have a smooth and stress-free move without spending all the money you have. Good luck!