Choosing a moving company can be a complicated process. How do you find movers that are reliable, enjoyable to work with, and take care of your belongings? Use these 10 questions to find the best company and ensure the highest quality service for your move.
1. Are you properly licensed?
Proper licensing is a sign of reliability, professionalism, and safety. A high-quality moving company will be licensed through their state agencies, and the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) can be a great resource for finding movers, as it ensures the company is in compliance with all federal laws.
2. What are your liability coverage options?
Any moving company you work with should be insured and liable for any damage. Find out what kind of liability options they offer, and ask if they have full value protection if you want the full replacement cost of your items covered by paying a small premium.
3. How long have you been in business?
Quantity of years doesn’t necessarily ensure quality of service, but if a moving company has been around for some time, it’s a good sign that they are reputable.
4. What is your cancellation policy?
Sometimes moves have to be canceled or rescheduled. Not all moving companies require a deposit, but if you do need one, be sure to find out it’s refundable. It’s also good to ask what would occur if the moving company somehow fails to show up or complete the move. Do you get the deposit back in these cases?
5. How do you handle special/valuable items?
Not all belongings are created equal. Some items require special care in moving, such as pianos, artwork, or glass-topped furniture. How does the moving company take care of these items? And what about items that are particularly valuable to you? Your moving company should have a plan for belongings that you single out as being special and needing extra attention.
6. What do you consider an extra service, and what is the cost?
Every company prices things a bit differently, so find out what services require an extra fee. Ask about packing fees, long carry fees, warehouse handling charges, disassembly and reassembly fees, and any other needs related to your move.
7. What is the protocol if something is broken or goes missing?
Even with the most careful planning, things sometimes happen. The level of liability you choose will factor into this, but it’s good to ask what the company’s general plan is for broken or missing items and how they handle claims and disputes.
8. Where can I read reviews or speak to a previous customer?
Researching online reviews and talking to past customers can be a good way to find out if a moving company is the right fit for you. Try to get in touch with anyone who had a move similar to yours to get a real life perspective.
9. What storage options are available?
Moving from one location to the next doesn’t always time out perfectly, so you may need to temporarily store your belongings at some point during the move. If that is the case, find out what options the moving company recommends. How much space will you need? Should you utilize climate controlled storage? Could items potentially be held on a truck or loaded into a container to avoid moving them twice?
10. How long will the move take?
Whether you’re moving one street over or across the country, get an approximate moving time so you know when to be where during your move. Also be sure to ask about minimums — do you have to pay a four hour minimum, for example, even if the move only takes three hours?
Finding the right moving company can feel overwhelming, but with the answers to these important questions you can hire a company that is helpful and reliable. Here at Little Guys, we’d love to answer all of your moving questions! Contact your local Little Guys Movers today to learn how we can help you have a seamless move.