Tips for Hiring a Reliable and Trustworthy Moving Company

Moving into a new home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be an overwhelming and frustrating process. Between the cleaning, sorting and packing, the last thing you want to have to worry about is finding a reliable moving company that you can trust with your belongings.

The good news is that you can find a good moving company more easily than you may think. Once you find the best one for your needs, it can actually make the moving process easier. Here are a few tips to help you hire the best moving company.

BE DIRECT AND SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR NEEDS

When it comes to comparing moving companies, you must be direct and specific in the type of services you want. Moving companies differ in the type of services they offer, the cost of their services and how far of a distance they travel.

Make sure you are specific about the area where you are moving from and where you are moving to, whether you will need packing or moving services (or both) and the date you need to be out of your current residence.

When you pack your belongings yourself, the moving company typically isn’t responsible for damages to items that occurred as a result of the packing. If you hire the moving company to do the packing, there will be added fees for packing materials, boxes and labor, but, it’s also one less thing you would need to worry about.

BEWARE OF ADDITIONAL FEES

You should check a potential moving company by reading their testimonials or scouring their website for information. However, know that when a price is stated, whether it’s by a previous customer or on the company website, the price you see may not apply to your situation.

For example, if you are moving to or from a two-story home that requires carrying items up one or more flights of stairs, you will probably have to pay additional charges.

You should ask about additional fees before the movers arrive to your home on moving day. Additional fees may also be added for heavy items, if you are moving items to more than one location, such as storage unit and your new home, or if the street is too narrow for the truck to safely drive through.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

Unfortunately, for every trustworthy and reliable moving company, there are a few who make their living from scamming people. When doing your research and comparing prices and available services, there are a few things you should keep in mind that will help you distinguish between honest moving companies and a scam moving company.

Verify the address of the potential moving company by driving by the location, checking the Better Business Bureau website or checking a local phone book. In most situations, a legitimate business will list a local address or a local P.O. Box, but a scam company may only provide an email, website address or no information at all.

Carefully review their service records. You can verify the reputation and qualification of a business by contacting the Better Business Bureau, reading online reviews or talking with family or friends that have previously used the moving company you are considering.

One of the most important things to do when verifying a moving company is legitimate is to verify their license. A legitimate moving company should have an active operating license as well as a U.S. DOT (United States Department of Transportation) number on their website and all of their moving trucks.

In most situations, a company representative will come to your home, survey the belongings they will be packing or moving for you and provide you with a written estimate of the cost. You should not accept any estimates over the phone or the internet without an in-person visit because the way you and the way the moving company view your items may be completely different.

To make sure your next move is handled by a reliable and trustworthy moving company, contact Bos Moving & Service Inc.