Evaluating Moving Services for Your Home

 

Are you planning a move and feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of options available to you?

Moving is one of the most common things people do in the United States, with over 25 million Americans relocating every year. That makes selecting the right moving company more important than ever.

The problem is that the moving industry is big business – worth $23.4 billion dollars – and not all those companies have the best interest of their customers at heart.

The solution?

It doesn’t have to be difficult to evaluate moving services for your home. If you follow a simple process and do your research, you’ll have no trouble finding trustworthy moving companies.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including:

• Why Moving Company Research Is Important
• Red Flags Every Homeowner Needs To Know
• Key Questions To Ask Before You Hire
• How To Compare Moving Estimates Like A Pro

Why Moving Company Research Is Important

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of evaluating moving companies, let’s talk about why this step is so important in the first place.

On average, moving expenses account for one of the biggest bills incurred during relocation, with the average cost to move coming in at $3,020. So finding moving services with affordable moving pros that charge competitive prices for high-quality service can save you money, hassle, and frustration.

Here’s the thing. Think of the moving company you hire as the custodian of your most valuable possessions.

This business is responsible for every item you own – from your furniture to your photos to your valuable heirlooms. Hiring movers is trusting strangers to pack up everything that matters to you and drive it away in a truck.

The stakes are high.

The proof? People who fail to evaluate moving services before hiring end up with damaged belongings, unexpected fees, or scammers that hold their stuff hostage until they pay more money. In fact, a moving scam complaint is filed for 1 in every 4,000 moves across the country.

Interest rates and financial concerns continue to affect the Moving industry as 76% of moving companies say it had a negative impact on their business. If moving company research isn’t high on your list of priorities, then that’s what you will get.

Red Flags Every Homeowner Should Know

There are certain things to look out for in moving companies that should immediately put you on alert.

You want to avoid any potential moving nightmares by dealing only with established, reputable moving services. Here are some red flags every homeowner should know.

No Physical Address Or DOT Number

It’s a simple fact. If a moving company has no brick-and-mortar office address and can’t provide a Department of Transportation (DOT) number, then stay far away.

You can easily verify DOT numbers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website in under a minute.

Lowball Estimates That Seem Too Good

If a moving company gives you an estimate that’s far too cheap to be true, there is a good chance they’re trying to pull one over on you.

Cheap, online quote generators are notorious for lowballing people, then hiked up once your belongings are loaded onto the truck.

Experienced moving companies do thorough in-home inspections, then provide a detailed, written quote before the move. Be suspicious of any company that tries to give you a quote over the phone without seeing what they’ll be moving.

Cash-Only Payment Demands

Trustworthy moving services will never demand you pay cash upfront or wire them money before the move.

If a moving company asks you for a 100% payment in cash, run the other way.

No company that follows sound business practices would ever ask for more than a small deposit (around 10-20% of the total cost) upfront.

Key Questions To Ask Before You Hire

Asking the right questions is the next important step in finding moving services that will suit your needs.

Ask these questions before hiring a mover to get an idea of how a company does business.

What’s Included In Your Estimate?

This is an important one.

Ask the moving company exactly what their estimate includes. Does it cover the cost of packing materials, for example, or is that an extra charge? Are loading and unloading fees included?

All too often, additional fees and surcharges are tacked onto the final bill, which is why you need to ask specific questions about what’s included in the price.

How Do You Handle Damaged Items?

Moving companies are responsible for your belongings while they’re in their care. What happens if an item gets damaged?

Ask about their claims process, turnaround times, and what their insurance will cover.

A reputable moving company will be happy to explain their policies to you in detail.

What’s Your Experience With Moves Like Mine?

There are plenty of moving companies out there, but not all of them are set up to handle every type of relocation. For example, local moving services are better equipped to help you with short distance moves than long-distance relocation services.

How To Compare Moving Estimates Like A Pro

The key to finding the best value when comparing moving services is to do your research and be thorough.

Get at least three written estimates and compare them line by line to see what each company offers.

The cheapest option is rarely the best value, and sometimes paying a little extra will get you better service, more comprehensive insurance, or a more reliable mover.

Understand Binding vs Non-Binding Estimates

There are two types of estimates to be aware of – binding and non-binding.

Binding estimates, as the name suggests, will never change. If the mover provides you with a binding estimate, that’s the price you’ll pay on moving day.

Non-binding estimates are more flexible, and the price may increase based on the actual weight or the number of hours it takes to complete the move.

Know which type you’re getting, and if possible, go with a company that offers binding estimates to protect yourself against price increases.

Check What’s Actually Included

Two moving companies can provide you with an estimate of roughly the same price but offer drastically different services.

Take the time to compare each estimate line by line. Yes, it takes a bit more time, but it’s the only way to know what you’re getting for your money.

Understanding Insurance Options

Standard liability insurance only covers $0.60 per pound, per item. That means a $2,000 television set weighing 50 pounds will only entitle you to $30 in compensation if it gets broken.

Full value protection is pricier but provides much better coverage. If you’re moving valuable items, it’s worth spending the extra money for full insurance coverage.

Checking Reviews And References

Nothing says a moving company is worth hiring more than glowing online reviews from happy customers.

Start your research with the Better Business Bureau. This organization tracks company complaints and how quickly a moving company responds to customer problems.

Move on to Google reviews, Yelp, and even moving-specific review sites. If multiple reviewers mention the same issue with a company, there is probably truth to the claim.

You can also call the moving company directly and ask for the names and numbers of recent customers. Calling those references will give you great insight into the type of service you can expect.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to choosing moving services for your home.

But it’s worth it.

The extra effort you put in to properly evaluate moving companies and make an informed decision is repaid when the moving truck pulls up on moving day and the process goes as smoothly as planned.

To recap, the essentials of moving company research are:

• Verify licensing and insurance before you consider working with a mover
• Get multiple, written estimates from at least three different companies
• Ask detailed questions about services, pricing, and problem resolution
• Check online reviews and customer references to see what real movers have experienced
• Understand the different types of insurance and choose the coverage you need

By doing your homework, you can find moving services that will treat your belongings as if they were their own and make your move a truly stress-free experience.