Moving is often one of the most exciting, yet stressful experiences one will ever go through because of all the change and uncertainty associated with it. It doesn’t help that the reasons behind a move – graduating school, a new job, marriage, an expanding family – are often equally as stressful and exciting as the move itself. There’s a lot of changes happening all at once that, in addition to the stresses of daily life, build up and weigh you down to the point where it seems like you can’t rest or enjoy anything until the move is complete. This makes finding the right moving company that’ll take the stress away and let you focus on the more exciting aspects crucial for your move to be successful and for you to keep your sanity.
There are a lot of moving companies out there that all promise many of the same things, so how you do know what to look for? Obviously, it’ll depend on the specifics of your move, but there are a few things you should always be looking for and factor into your decision. Read on to find out!
Good Reviews
As previously mentioned, most moving companies will be promising a lot of the same things – safe and efficient services done by experts that can take the stress and hassle out of a move – so it’ll be extremely helpful to get information from an unbiased source.
Places like Google, Yelp, Home Advisor, and Moving.com can be a good place to start, but you’ll also want to get recommendations from people you trust. Reach out to family, friends, or co-workers and ask them about the moving companies they used and their experiences with them. In doing this, you may become aware of important variables that you would have been unaware of otherwise.
Check Out Laborjack’s Reviews
License and Insurance
It should go without saying, but never use a moving company that isn’t licensed and insured. Why? Only movers that are licensed and insured have a legal obligation to protect your property. It’s also against the law to use a moving company that is not properly licensed and insured when moving across states. This is especially important for long distance moves because there is a higher risk of your belongings becoming lost or damaged, even if the moving company does everything by the book and takes the necessary precautions.
The US Department of Transportation requires that all interstate moving companies register themselves, after which they receive a unique USDOT number. These companies are then listed on this database provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The database is your tool to ensure the interstate moving companies that say they’re licensed, and insured are. Moving.com also has its own database, linked here, with information on hundreds of trustworthy moving companies across the nation.
Differences Between Local, Interstate, and International Movers
Obviously, the needs of someone simply moving from one neighborhood to another in their city will have different needs than someone moving to an entirely new country. There are a variety of different laws and regulations at the state, national, and international levels that will impact your move, and you’ll want to hire a company that’s familiar with them and will remain compliant, so your move is not delayed.
Transparent Rates
You’ll want to ensure the moving companies you’re interested in can operate within your budget, so you’ll not only want to ask for a quote but also ask what constitutes additional charges. If they aren’t forthcoming with that information, you can eliminate them from your search because surprise extra fees aren’t something anybody wants to deal with, especially during a move.
Be wary of fraud
Although you can check a mover’s USDOT number, your work shouldn’t end there. You should also look up a company’s records, check for an active license, and ensure they have a valid physical address that isn’t just a P.O. box. Another red flag to watch out for is if the movers ask for a deposit, especially if the deposit they ask for is more than 20%. You can also refer to the Federal Motor Carry Safety Administration for more information on how to protect yourself from fraud.
Ask questions!
Every move is different, and you want to make sure the moving companies you’re considering can adapt their practices to your needs (within reason). Obviously, you should ask whether they’re licensed and insured when asking for a quote, but you should also establish if they have large enough trucks to fit all your belongings. You can also ask if they provide packing supplies like boxes, blankets, bubble wrap, and tape, and if they can guarantee pickup and delivery dates. Your move is important, so assume nothing and don’t leave anything to chance.
Contact Laborjack Today
If you’re planning a move soon, we’d love to supply the muscle and pack, load, and unpack all your belongings so you can focus on the more exciting parts of your move rather than exhausting yourself with manual labor. We’ll help you save time, save hassle, and save your back! Call (833) 527-5225 to learn more or book your job with us today!