By Othon Jarle
Everyone at some point will want to move from one place to another. Whether you are moving to a new home or you are relocating your business from one location to another, you will need relocation moving service.
A professional moving company will help you move your belongings safely from your current residence to where you are moving to. But with so many moving companies in the market today, how can you choose the right one that you can trust with your belongings? Well, this article can help you make that decision as it gives you some of the top things you need to look for in a moving company.
Let’s delve into them.
- Experience
This is arguably the number one thing you should look for in a moving company you want to hire. Of course, the last thing you want is to entrust your cherished possessions to people who won’t handle them properly. You need to hire a moving company that has the skills, knowledge, and experience to perform a smooth and hassle-free relocation.
Professional movers have been in the industry for many years and they have relocated many people so they are pretty good at their work and know what is required of them. Experienced movers will handle your belongings in a safe manner and take care of all other aspects involved in the moving process.
Experience also translates to efficiency and speed. To gauge the movers’ experience level, ask them during your initial meeting about the number of years they have been in operation. The more the years, the more experience they have.
- Reputation
Another very important thing you should look for in a moving company is reputation. Of course, it’s wise to work with a moving company with a good reputation. The best way to gauge the company’s reputation is to read online reviews and see what people are saying about the company. You can also ask your friends, family, or colleagues as they can be a great source of reviews.
If the company has more negative reviews than positive reviews, then it may not be the right company to entrust with your belongings. So before you choose a particular moving company, you need to read its online reviews to gauge its reputation. This is something you shouldn’t ignore lest you end up falling into the wrong hands.
- Certification
Before you chose a moving company to help you relocate, you need to ensure that they have proper certifications. If you want to ensure the safety of belongings, you need to hire only a moving company that is licensed. Being licensed shows that the company is certified, operate legally, and meet all the federal safety, insurance, and financial standards.
The company should be licensed by the American Mover and Storage Association. This means that the company abides by the national guidelines and they take full responsibility of all the items in its custody.
If you want to verify if the company is legitimate, you need to ask them to show you their license before you sign any contract with them. They must also have a USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA].
- Insurance
Another essential thing you should look for in a moving company is insurance. It is important that you hire a moving company that is insured and is therefore liable for any damage. Relocation can be quite tricky, and your belongings can get damaged along the way. But when you have an insured moving company, you won’t have to worry about digging deeper into your pockets to fix the damages.
While it is true that no amount of compensation will give you back your damaged item which is of sentimental value, but adequate insurance coverage will at least give you some peace of mind. So when you are interviewing your potential moving company, be sure to ask them if they are insured and the kind of insurance plans they provide to their clients so that you can choose the coverage that suits your needs and budget. Remember that choosing a moving company that isn’t insured means that you will be responsible for any accidents or personal injuries that happen on your property on your relocation day. So if you want to avoid such issues, ensure that you only work with a fully insured moving company.
- Additional services
Other than the normal relocation services offered by moving companies [ transporting household goods, packing and unpacking of items, loading and unloading household items, etc], you may also require additional services, such as disassembly and reassembly of furniture, crating, appliance servicing, or shuttle services.
So before you go ahead and hire your potential moving company, you need to ask them if they offer any specialized services and the costs and conditions of these services.
- Affordable price
Affordability is also another crucial thing you should pay attention to when hiring a moving company. Relocation can be very expensive, that’s why you need to look for a moving company that offers lower moving costs. However, that’s not all, you need to look for a company that offers affordable rates and offer excellent customer service.
Getting a company that offers both quality and cost can be quite challenging. To achieve that, you need to get quotes from at least three or four moving companies and compare the prices and conditions of each moving company.
Remember to ask the company what the quoted price includes, the kind of packing materials they offer to clients, and how much they charge for the extra services. The company should also explain to you if they offer any discounts or promotions as well as the kind of payment methods they accept. When you have all the necessary information, you will be able to make the right decision in choosing a company.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right moving company is vital in ensuring the safety of your belongings. Just make sure to do thorough research and ask around. And if your potential moving company raises any red flags, don’t hesitate to look elsewhere.
