Moving can be a complete nightmare without hiring professional movers.
According to a Harvard study, 13% of the American population was moving each year. This amounts to 40 million people either moving locally or across state lines. Some of these people took the DIY approach to moving, while others made their lives easier by hiring the best movers they could find.
In this post, we’re going to tell you how to find the best movers in your area. To find movers that you can trust with your belongings, you need to know which factors you should consider. Keep reading and you’ll have everything you need to know to make your move fast and stress-free.
Check Online Ratings and Reviews
When you begin looking for professional movers, you’re probably going to start with a Google search that says, “movers near me.” This will give you a list of all of the local movers in your area, so you’ll need to narrow down the list to a few of the best ones.
The best way to separate the wheat from the chaff is to look at online ratings and reviews. Nobody is better equipped to tell you about the experience of hiring a particular mover than a previous customer.
If there are any red flags about customer service, hidden fees, or damaged belongings, you’ll find out in the comments. Choose 3-5 of the top-rated movers in your town and dig a bit deeper into what services they provide.
Experience and Expertise
As you’re checking out each company’s website, there are a few key things you’ll want to look for. The most important is probably how long the company has been in business. You’ll want to hire a company that has a long track record of moving people locally and across the country.
The more experience a company has, the more expertise it’ll have. When you hire a mover, you shouldn’t have to worry about them doing it the right way. A legitimate mover will take charge of the move and have all of the necessary licenses and insurance to put your mind at ease.
Know What You Need
All of that being said, if you don’t know what kind of services you need, it’ll be hard to discern whether or not a mover can provide them for you. You have to inform the moving company of everything that you need them to do up-front.
If the mover shows up on your moving date and has to do a lot more work than you were quoted for, they’re going to charge you big money. It’s in your best interest to take stock of literally everything that you’re having moved so that they can create a detailed plan of action.
A mover should also be informed of any logistical issues that may arise with your move. If you’ve got a steep set of stairs leading up to your new home, for instance, it’s better to tell them to know early on in the process.
Get a Detailed Estimate From Multiple Companies
Getting all of your ducks in a row is important for getting detailed estimates from each moving company. You need to obtain multiple estimates so that you can weigh the cost of each mover. When getting the estimate, always inquire whether it’s binding or not.
If the estimate isn’t binding, it doesn’t really tell you anything because the actual cost could vary wildly. Movers will charge extra for any unforeseen circumstances, like the stairs we mentioned above or having to park further away from your home to load the truck.
Sometimes, movers will send a representative to do a walkthrough of your home or apartment. This is the best option because they can give you the most detailed estimate possible having seen your home, your belongings, and the area around the home.
Once you’ve got quotes from all of the movers you’re considering, compare them and choose the one that fits within your budget. Cost shouldn’t be the only factor, but it’s an important one.
Ask About Insurance
When you hire movers, it’s essential to look at their insurance policies in addition to third-party insurance policies. With other home or transportation services, you might deny adding insurance, but this isn’t the case with either a local or long-distance move.
If you deny the insurance and something happens to your valuables, you’ll be on the hook for the damages. Renters’ or homeowners insurance only covers your belongings while they’re in your home.
See what each mover’s insurance policy looks like, whether they have full or partial liability. If it’s only partial, talk to your insurance company about moving or relocation insurance.
Select Your Services
All reputable moving companies will have various levels of service that they offer. If you just want them to pick up your belongings and drop them off at the new location, that should be an option.
Add-on services might include packing/unpacking, moving specialty items, disassembly/reassembly, and storage. These are going to add to the overall cost, so try to stick to basic services whenever possible.
Make Sure to Get Everything in Writing
Before you officially hire a mover, make sure to get a written contract that outlines the estimate, along with any extra services. It should also include pickup and delivery dates, as well as the entire inventory that you gave them at the beginning of the process.
Having this protects you in the event that something is lost or damaged. If you don’t have a contract handy, it’s going to be difficult to prove in an insurance claim.
Find the Best Movers Around
If you follow these critical tips, you’ll be able to find the best movers for your local or long-distance move. Having a trustworthy moving company handling the physical move takes so much off your plate and puts your mind at ease.
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