If you’re preparing for a move, it’s important to find the right movers. The best companies offer up-front pricing, a safe handling of your belongings, and a pleasant experience for you and your family. You also want to ensure that the movers are insured, have an inventory of your items, and can provide a full bill of lading with the cost of the move and insurance details.
The company you choose should have a reputation for customer service and quality workmanship. Ideally, they should be licensed to transport your belongings across state lines. You can check if a company is licensed by looking it up at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
It’s also a good idea to check their reviews and complaints. If a moving company has a lot of negative reviews, that is usually a sign they are not reputable. They may be a scam or simply not a good choice for your move.
Whether you’re planning to move within the city or out of the country, the right company can make your relocation easier. In addition to the usual services like packing, loading, and unloading, some companies offer specialty services such as crating or storage.
They may also help you arrange for a shipping company to pick up your items and bring them to their new location. It’s a great option if you have expensive or fragile items that might not fit in your home.
The company should have a truck large enough to accommodate all your belongings and be willing to abide by any physical constraints of your home, such as narrow hallways or tight parking spaces. They should also be prepared to work with you on a time frame that’s comfortable for you, and they should provide packing supplies as needed.
When choosing a moving company, it’s helpful to look at the size of their fleet and the number of employees they have. Some movers use larger trucks and more employees to handle more large-scale moves, while others prefer to have smaller trucks that are more maneuverable in tight areas.
You can also check with your local Department of Consumer Affairs office or the Better Business Bureau to see if a moving company has any complaints against it. You should avoid moving companies with many complaints and those that have a long track record of ignoring customer concerns.
It’s a good idea to ask for a list of references and contact them directly for more information. You can also read reviews for moving companies on websites such as Yelp and Google.
Some movers are franchises of national companies. These franchises have their own set of standards and pricing policies. They are typically less competitive than independent movers, but they can be more trustworthy because they are part of a bigger corporation.
There are also some moving companies that focus on sustainability, which is a great thing to look for in a company. For example, FlatRate Moving and Storage is dedicated to buying eco-friendly trucks that use special toxin-reducing filters.