Hiring a moving company is an important decision that requires proper research and planning. We all move at some point in our lives. It could be for anything. However, there are belongings to protect and carry with you on this journey. You want to make sure that you will safely move everything from one point to another. Therefore, it is important to choose a good mover for the job.
When looking to move from New York to California, there are many options to pick. Here is what to do when hiring long distance movers:
- Check Moving Companies Online
The first step to take when looking for a good mover is to do some preliminary research on moving companies. The internet is a great place to begin such research. However, be sure to investigate the moving company. You can do this by checking their website and social media profiles as well as browsing customer reviews. Most importantly, ensure that they provide free estimates when you contact them for inquiries.
Here is a checklist to use to determine the convenience and quality of service from a moving company:
- How much experience does the company have?
- Are they fully licensed and insured?
- What forms of payment do they accept?
- How will the final price be determined? Is it based on weight, volume, distance or some other factor?
- When and how will you receive your bill?
- Can you get regular updates to the status of your move?
- Get an Estimate for Moving
Request quotes from different movers to compare rates and services on offer. Also, be sure to get rates in writing since verbal quotations can easily be misinterpreted.
The quote should include the cost of labor, services offered and estimated time required for the move. All these estimates depend on the distance between the starting location and destination.
- Hire Reputable Moving Companies
Select movers with good reputations because they are more likely to offer quality services. Find out if they have insurance coverage in case any of your belongings are damaged during the move.
Most importantly, they should be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state authorities. Verify their license to be sure of their reputation.
- Consider moving insurance
Ensure you have valuation protection and insurance coverage. Moving insurance offers coverage against damage or loss of your belongings. The valuation protection covers the replacement cost for items that are damaged during the move.
- Check customer references and testimonials
A good moving company should provide references from customers who have moved similar items recently. Contact at least three customers to find out about their good experiences with the moving company you are considering. Ask them if they were satisfied with the service, if not, what was lacking.
- Find out if they have Moving Trucks
It is important to work with a mover that owns transportation trucks for the job. Therefore, ask about the availability of a moving truck to move your belongings from the old to new place.
The right company should have a large number of trucks that can accommodate all your items and relocate them easily. Again, the price for renting the truck should be reasonable. Get an estimate of the total moving cost, including truck expenses.
- Beware of Hidden Moving charges
Be wary of hidden charges and ask about insurance coverage for each type of good that needs to be moved. Some moving companies may not be clear about their rates or additional costs to expect when hiring them.
Ask if their estimate includes packing materials, storage fees or other expenses. Get the estimate in writing so you do not run into any surprises later. This will give you a clear idea to budget for your move.
Important Tip!
Although it is good to have a moving company handle all aspects of your move, you might want to pack some things yourself. Some long-distance movers will not load small items like dishes, glasses and lamps. If you are worried about damaging them during transit, pack them in sturdy boxes so they will also be easier to unload.
Final Thoughts
There are many options to consider for your moving needs. Use this guide to make the right mover choice.
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