4 Steps to Selecting a Mover
If you have never hired professional movers before, your concept of moving up until this point was probably calling everyone you know who had a pickup truck, offering pizza and beer, and hauling your stuff across town over the course of about seven or eight trips.
That system may work excellently for a one-bedroom apartment, but if you are trying to move an entire family, you are going to need to look into some local movers. However, starting from zero can be difficult for anybody. How can you be sure you’re working with someone reputable? What kind of prices are considered acceptable?
To help you select the perfect moving company for your needs, follow these four steps.
Get Recommendations
One of the best things you can do when you first start looking for moving companies is to ask for recommendations from friends and family. Speaking to someone who has real-world experience with a moving company can be very valuable. Ask for both good and bad reviews. If something went wrong, what was it? If they had a very good experience, what did they like the most? Online reviews can offer a good thumbnail picture of moving companies as well.
Ask for In Home Estimates
In order for a moving company to provide you with an accurate estimate, they need to come to your house to get an in-person look at what the moving job will entail. They will be checking for things like the number of stairs they will have to go up and down, whether or not a moving truck will fit in your driveway, or whether you have any specialty items such as pianos, aquariums, or cars which must be moved.
You want a moving company to take their time and carefully inventory as much as they possibly can before offering you an estimate. If a company representative seems rushed, it means they are not giving you the attention you deserve.
Compare and Choose
It is always a good idea to get at least three or four estimates to compare prices. If friends and family are comfortable doing so, you can ask them for a ballpark price on what they paid. If any of the companies who offered you a quote come in wildly over or under priced, you can probably take them off the list.
Be sure to read over your estimate in detail, as each company should be spelling out exactly where every dollar is going, and why it is being charged.
Create a Moving Day File
Once you have selected your moving company, it is time to begin your moving day file. Get a folder, and neginning with your estimate and signed contract, keep every scrap of paper you ever receive regarding your move. Everything from insurance information to a moving day schedule will be coming your way, and you will want to have them easily accessible at all times.
Hiring your first moving company can be a little intimidating, but it’s no different than hiring any other contractors. The most important thing is that you work with a reputable company that you can trust.