Did you know that 45% of Americans say that moving is the most stressful event in their lives? In fact, they say it's just as stressful as going through a divorce or having children!
But relocating should be a mainly exciting event, not stressful. Thankfully, there are ways to lessen the load.
For example, you can hire professional movers to help you not only move your things, but also pack and unpack.
However, not all moving companies are the same. In order for you to get quality movers, you'll have to be smart.
Don't know where to start? Then read on. We're here to help out with 9 ultimate tips for getting quality movers for you!
1. Ask Your Social Network for Referrals
Considering that the average American moves around 11.7 times in their lifetimes, it's very likely that you know at least a few people who have relocated. And chances are, they've done so recently too!
So what better way to get your shortlist going than by asking your social network for referrals? They'll be able to give you honest opinions since they're not involved with the companies at all, which means you'll get an idea of who the quality movers are, and aren't as well!
What's great about doing this is you can ask your friends, family, coworkers, or even neighbors as many questions as you want. They'll be able to describe the services in detail so you know what to expect.
2. Look at Their Years of Experience
When you're trying to select a local moving company, you need to consider their years of experience. The more, the better, and this is why.
First of all, the more time you've had to do something, the more streamlined you can make it. If you hire quality moving experts, they'll know how to handle your living situation and have your move go off without a hitch. Not only will the process be smoother, but more efficient as well.
Also, the years in business are proof of how well movers can serve their customers. After all, you can't keep your company running if you don't go above and beyond! So if you find ones that have been around for decades, then that's a very good sign that they have top-quality moving services.
3. Check Online Reviews
Sure, you have personal recommendations from your social network. But even if you're a social butterfly, you won't be able to gather as many opinions as you can with online review sites.
So take a moment to Google these movers. High-quality movers will have an excellent positive to negative reviews ratio. They should have an overall rating of above 4 out of 5 stars.
You'll want to avoid businesses with tons of negative reviews, as there will be a higher chance of you receiving subpar services.
Make sure you steer clear of ones with no reviews as well. This indicates that they're either completely new or that their old business was so bad they had to start all over with a new name.
4. See What Services They Provide
Nowadays, movers don't just load up their trucks with your boxes, drive them from point A to point B, and unload. They can offer so much more, so browse your options to see which mover will suit you best!
For example, you might be looking for family movers who can help pack up everything efficiently and safely so nothing gets broken in the process. Not only that, but you'll need them to unload, unpack, and put your furnishing and belongings where you need them in your new house.
The good news is, there are definitely companies that offer quality services for moving that cover all of the above, and then some! In fact, they'll even bring the packing materials so you won't have to go shop for them, nor will you have to lift a finger.
Some other businesses offer storage services as well. So if this is something you need, make sure you seek out a mover that has storage facilities. That way, you won't have to do more research to get your boxes into a unit.
5. Check Their Speed of Service and Availability
If you're not on such a strict moving timeline, then this won't be of as much concern to you. But if you need to move in one day, and you need to do it soon, then you'll need the best quality movers to accommodate your tight schedule.
The availability of movers will depend on what time of year you're relocating. For instance, if you're moving in the summer, that's the busiest time of year (since everyone else wants to move as well). This means it'll be tough to find someone for your desired moving date.
Because of this, we can't stress enough how important it is to start your research early. This will allow you to find someone and book them with enough time to spare.
6. Ask About Their Insurance Policy
No matter how far you're moving, make sure the mover you're using has insurance. Federal law actually requires that professional movers need to have liability coverage for transporting your belongings. So if the moving company you're looking at doesn't have insurance, that's a very bad sign.
The best quality movers will have a generous insurance policy in place. Ask them to explain coverage and any other concerns you might have. If they're a quality moving company, then they'll have no issues doing so.
7. Don't Pay a Huge Deposit
For many services, you often have to pay a deposit. But when it comes to moving companies, deposits are actually a bad sign.
Scammers will ask for large sums of money upfront and will disappear without providing actual moving services. Even worse is, they might even run off with your items!
If you source quality moving services, you won't have to worry about this. Reputable companies won't ask you for a huge deposit.
At the most, they'll ask for a small sum so they know you're serious and won't just cancel randomly. They should also accept credit card transactions, which you should opt for if possible. That way, if they really turn out to be scammers, you can file a complaint with your credit card company.
8. Ask for Quotes
The cost to move across the country can be quite expensive. Add the cost of movers onto everything, and you might feel the pressure.
Don't be hit with a nasty financial surprise at the end of it all. You need to go into moving prepared!
When you're interested in a quality moving company, you should always ask them for a quote. Not just that, but make sure you get it in writing!
Unscrupulous movers will try and give you a low quote by phone and then bump up the price significantly when it comes time to pay. If you have things in writing, it'll be harder for them to do this.
In addition, try to choose someone who comes to do an in-house walkthrough. Quality moving experts will take this extra step to get a better picture of what they're working with. As a result, they'll be able to provide you with a more accurate quote.
Quality movers will be more than happy to give you a written quote, as well as do a walkthrough of your home. If they're hesitant or refuse to, take this as a red flag.
9. Compare Quotes
Not only should you ask for quotes, but you should do so with multiple companies. This is another reason why it's important to get things in writing; it'll be easier to compare quotes later on.
Quality moving services will never be dirt cheap. So when you're looking at all your quotes, eliminate any that have prices that are too good to be true. Chances are, they'll try to tack on extra fees at the end so you'll end up paying more than most of the other movers on your list!
You'll also want to cross off those that are at the top of the price list. Yes, quality services for moving won't be cheap, but they shouldn't cost an arm and a leg either.
When comparing quotes, also take a look at which mover will best accommodate your moving schedule and needs. In the end, you should have one or two options that are not only suitable, but also affordable!
Get Quality Movers by Following Our Tips
Relocating can be an exciting yet challenging time. But if you get quality movers to help you out, then you can focus more on being excited rather than anxious.
So do yourself a favor and search for quality moving services by using our tips. It'll take a huge burden off of your shoulders and allow you to look back on this time fondly. Plus, you'll have more time to spend with your loved ones and on tasks that matter more!
Do you need quality moving experts to ship your car? Then use our moving cost calculator now!
