Whether you are planning a move to the neighborhood across town or moving across the country, it’s important you select the best movers. You need to make sure the mover fits your budget and has a reliable reputation. Keep in mind the following tips and you are sure to come out on the other side of your move with all of your stuff and your sanity intact.
1. Get a recommendation.
Be sure you reach out to friends, family, coworkers, and even the grocery store clerk to get their recommendation for a good mover in your area. Ask them about their experience with the mover, the cost, and how big their move was at the time. Keep in mind the experience of moving across the country is far different than moving down the street.
2. Read the reviews.
Any reputable mover will have reviews online. So, before you book your mover, look them up on a few review sites such as Yelp, Google, or the Better Business Bureau. Take a look at more than one site and pay attention to the most recent reviews. However, not all reviews are real, so take caution with a mover that has only five star reviews. This usually means some of the reviews are paid as any real mover will have a variety of experiences shared on review sites.
3. Get an estimate of your move.
When you have made a list of at least five different movers you are interested in, start out with getting an estimate of how much your move will cost. The best way to get an estimate is having someone go by your home and give you an in-person estimate. Show them everything in your home that will be moved and give them details about the location you are moving, noting any stairs, and elevators. Also, get your estimate in writing, and be sure it includes the company name, the name of the person who gave you the estimate, their telephone number and address, as well as cost per hour or flat rate of the move.
4. Compare the estimates.
When you have received at least five estimates, compare each of them. Don’t simply go with the cheapest option because that may be a sign of subpar service. However, for the higher estimates, figure out where the extra costs are coming in and how they compare with other estimates you have received. Read all the details and the fine print included in your estimate.
5. Don’t pay everything up front.
One huge red flag is if you are working with a mover that demands full payment before your move even starts. Most movers will ask for a deposit of 10 to 20% percent. More than that should be a red flag to you.
6. Visit the moving company in person.
One way to figure out if you are dealing with a reputable mover is visiting them in person. If a mover doesn’t have any moving trucks or any actual physical presence, this could mean they are dealing with outside freight services, which can result in further damage.
7. Follow the consumer checklist.
The OCA (Office of Consumer Affairs. with Canada has an excellent checklist for you to use when booking your mover. Some of the questions you should ask your mover include whether or not they are insured, if the company has their own equipment, if the movers have a workers’ compensation board certificate, and other questions you should ask.
While moving can be incredibly stressful, worse is entering into the process unprepared. With these tips in mind, you are most likely to get everything in one piece without spending an arm and a leg.
