5 Tips for Hiring Movers – How to Find a Good Moving Company

Kitchen, bedroom, dishes and books moving boxes

You’ve landed a new job in a new state, you’re moving across town to be closer to family, or perhaps you’re growing your family and need a bigger home. Whatever your case may be, you’re ready to pack up and move out, but you realize the job might be too big to handle on your own.

Your first reaction is probably to grab your computer or phone and type “local movers near me” into your search engine. Simple enough, until you’re bombarded with a never-ending list of contenders to choose from. Choosing a moving company should not be done uninformed. If you don’t do your research when hiring movers, it can end up costing you much more than anticipated.

That’s why we’re offering 5 tips for hiring reputable, trusted movers for the job.

Types Of Moving Services Provided And Extra Fees

As you begin your journey to find a mover, it’s important to really think about what your move involves and whether a moving company provides the services that meet your specific needs.

  • Do they have experience moving specialty items, like pianos or antiques?
  • If you need help with packing your belongings, do the movers include packing services in moving costs, or does it cost extra?
  • If you don’t need help packing but need moving supplies like boxes and padding, are those products offered by the movers?
  • Does the mover provide storage services for those items you need to set aside during your relocation?

Be sure to ask yourself these questions when you’re on the quest to find a moving company. Beware of hidden fees that may sneak up on you. Doing your research and asking the movers questions about which services are included and what additional fees might be applied will go a long way in saving you money.

Reputable Movers Offer Free In-Home Estimates

A key indicator when trying to figure out how to find a good moving company is if they provide a free estimate. A quick online quote or an estimate given over the phone is a good starting point, but a reputable moving company will offer a more accurate quote via a video or in-home estimate.

These options will show the movers what they’re working with, and they’ll be able to offer you a more accurate quote in response. A video or in-home estimate also gives you a chance to discuss any challenges, like flights of stairs for apartment moves or large furniture and fixtures, that might generate additional charges.

Not only will you get an honest quote upfront, but you’ll save yourself shock later from an extra-expensive moving bill.

Trusted Moving Companies Are Qualified, Licensed And Insured

When searching for movers, it’s important to look for the ones who are fully licensed and insured. These precautions mean that not only is the company legitimate, but if something goes wrong during the move, there is insurance as backup.

The moving companies that you look at should be licensed by the United States Department of Transportation. You can ask the mover for its US DOT number; otherwise, you should be able to find it on their website. You also want to verify that the moving company is insured. Ask the moving specialist the type of valuation protection they provide and the costs that will apply for the level of protection of your goods.

Reliable movers you can trust will also be a member of moving associations, such as the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) or their state association of movers.

Read Online Reviews From Real Customers

Finding out information about the mover from their website will give you an idea of who you’re dealing with, but the true assessment comes from the reviews of real customers.

Reading customer reviews of people who have had experience with the moving company you are considering will give you a great deal of insight as to how the movers conduct their business. The Better Business Bureau is a good source, as well as Google, Facebook, Yelp and Angie’s List. You can even search for reviews on sites specifically focused on mover reviews, such as MovingCompanyReviews.com, MoverReviews.com and MyMovingReviews.com.

Contacting the movers directly and asking for customer references can also give you a better idea when hiring a moving company.

Years Of Experience And Community Involvement

The amount of experience in the moving and storage industry that the company has will speak to the quality of the services they provide.

When hiring movers, you need to choose one you can trust with your valuable belongings. A decade or more in the business with a respectable track record will be the difference in whether you have a successful move.

A moving company that is involved in the community is also a bonus. Community involvement shows they care about the people they serve (and will ultimately provide you with better customer service), and it shows their familiarity with the area.

It’s easy to be scammed by unsavory characters posing as movers. Don’t let this happen to you!

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect movers for you. Not only will you find licensed and safe movers, but you’ll be able to relax, knowing your move is in good hands.