You are entrusting everything you own to people who you have never met before, so it is natural to feel anxious about choosing a packing and moving service that you can trust. With dozens of companies offering their services, how do you choose one that will ensure that your stuff will safely arrive in your new home?
Here are some tips to consider when hiring a moving company:
Get Referrals From People You Know
Ask family and friends for suggestions. They or probably someone they know has moved at least once. Ask which moving company they partnered with and their experience with it so you can dwindle down your options.
Ask a real estate agent to recommend trusted local moving services. Marietta, GA. has moving companies that have previously worked with and endorsed by established real estate agencies.
Research Intensively
Before you hire a moving company, do your research. List down contact information so you can contact them if you have any questions or concerns.
Make sure that they have a local address and look it up online or on the phone book. The address should be registered under the company name, not a residential name.
Verify the moving company’s license through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Request the company’s DOT number, issued to licensed interstate movers, in case you need to file a claim later on.
You can also contact the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) to see if a company you are considering is a member. Movers are not required to join the AMSA, but members agree to abide by its published tariffs and participate in the arbitration programs.
Look Out for Bad Reviews
Check consumer advocacy websites, such as movingscam.com or rippffreport.com, for customer complaints. You can also lookup the company’s track record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If the company name is not listed on BBB, remove them from your options. Some companies go under a variety of names to avoid being assessed by the BBB.
Get an In-House Estimate
A mover should agree to an on-site inspection of the things you need to be transported. Anyone who gives an estimate over the phone or e-mail without seeing your household goods should not be trusted.
During the inspection, you should communicate which items you would need in your new home and which items you do not want inside the truck.
Review the estimate. For most movers, the estimate comes as a combined document that also serves as your order or service and bill of lading, too. There should be “written binding estimate” on top of the document as well as the mover’s signature with data on the bottom.
If you are moving interstate, the type and quantity of goods, distance, date of pickup and delivery, and other services should be included in the estimate.
Do Not Pay Large Deposits
A company that asks for large deposits before the move is a giant red flag. If you pay in advance, you would not only lose money but there is also a chance that you will never see your possessions again.
You should always be vigilant. If you have concerns, contact your movers. If their answers do not make you feel at ease, move on and find a company that can assure you that your belongings are safe in their hands.
