An interstate move costs around $4,000, so it’s more than useful to know how to choose a moving company and not end up being scammed. Especially if you consider there are around 7,000 relocation companies in the US, and in 2020 over 200 scams were reported. No one wants to end up scammed and be left without their belongings and money.
Every move is challenging, and especially when you’re relocating during Coronavirus. There are many tasks to be done to have a successful move. From notifying everyone about the move to making sure all the packing materials are gathered and ready for the packing process. However, indeed the most important step in the whole relocation process is knowing how to find a moving company you can trust with all of your belongings, right? That’s why with our seven steps guide, you’ll be able to do it efficiently, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.
Why Knowing How to Choose a Moving Company Is a Must?
Once you realize all the benefits of this move, you should start thinking about professional moving services. No matter if you moved before or it’s your first time to move out from your home, having professional help is essential.
Not just because there are many things to do when relocating to a new state, (you know, all of those tasks you put on a to-do list), but also because it’s a lot of pressure. Some people find it very overwhelming to plan the whole process on their own.
Also, you might have a second thought about hiring professional movers since you heard many negative experiences. But, if you learn some relocation tips and with seven steps you’ll read in the following text, there’s nothing to worry about.
Step #1: Start the Research Early
The process of how to select a moving company takes time and patience. You’ll put a certain amount of money into the services a relocation business will provide you with. So, a last-minute move isn’t the best situation you can be in, but don’t despair. There’s nothing a good organization of the move can’t solve.
As soon as you decide to move, begin researching a relocation business that will carefully and safely transport your belongings. Gather all the relevant information and keep in mind (or write down) all the right questions to ask the crew.
The relocation day is stressful enough, and having to stress about the reliability of the movers you hired can be just too overwhelming. So, it’s best to have more time to choose a relocation crew for your needs.
Step #2: Look at Referrals and Online Reviews
A good start is getting word-of-mouth of the people you trust and that have moved recently. That way, you’ll be able to exclude some businesses and maybe add some to your list. There’s nothing better than a good recommendation, right? But, that’s not always the case.
If you want to make an efficient move, and you don’t have a recommendation that could save you the trouble of searching, then ensure your internet is working fine – there will be some surfing the internet to do.
Be sure you check all relocation companies online. Read the review on their sites from the recent customers and also their comments. Then, proceed with checking them on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, Google, and Yelp. That way, you’ll get an unbiased and reliable look at the business you want to hire.
Understand How Much Money You’ll Need To Move to a New Home – Get Several Quotes
Relocation to a new home means many sacrifices, and many people find it difficult to say goodbye to a place they’ve been living in for years. Know it’s completely normal to feel that way. But if you decide to move, you should ensure you’re in good hands and have a planned budget.
This is something you shouldn’t avoid, especially if relocating on a budget. Learn the cheapest way to move out of state and contacting the companies from your shortlist is a way to go. Call each one and ask for a quote. That way, you’ll be able to plan your budget properly. Also, you’ll be able to think about additional services, like storage or insurance, if needed.
Get More Than One Estimate of Your Household Goods and Compare the Prices
After you get a quote and a bigger picture of the cost of an interstate move, expect to get an estimate. Before the Coronavirus pandemic, reliable movers offered an in-home estimate, but now things have changed. Now when wondering how to pick a moving company, you’ll have to include all the changes Covid-19 brought, even in the relocation industry.
So, don’t expect movers to move to your home and do an on-site estimate. It should be an online one. And since there won’t be direct contact, you should have more than two estimates before committing. That way, you’ll be able to gather more information when making a final choice.
Step #3: Check If State to State Movers Are Licensed
The report from the last year of the Census Mobility Data shows more than 30 million Americans moved to new homes. This year it’s expected this number will be even higher. So, if you’re one of those people who want to move, you should do some checking first.
Check if movers meet all regulations and rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Only then can you be sure the crew is legitimate. Here’s how to do it efficiently:
- Use the USDOT number – every serious relocation crew needs to have a USDOT number It’s a unique number that helps you see if a crew you intend to hire is legitimate and insured.
- Look for the business certifications – American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) or BBB are the places you can look for all certificates and for insurance one relocation crew should have.
- Verify the online presence – nowadays, in the online age, being present online is essential. Hoverer, having a website isn’t enough. You need to be able to find all information about the crew on their website.
- Ensure the relocation crew’s professionalism – being engaged and wanting to solve your every problem is what professionals should do.
Step #4: Watch Out for Red Flags and Avoid Scams With Some of the Best Tips
There are many reasons to move, but there’s no reason why you should hire an unreliable mover that will only ruin the whole experience. However, mistakes happen, but your job is to avoid the most obvious relocation scams. We all know how anxiety about relocating can be nasty. Not to mention that it can leave you some serious consequences, like feeling depressed after the move. So, here are some of the most common red flags you need to avoid to have a successful move:
- The estimate is too good to be true,
- There’s no insurance,
- There are customer complaints on BBB or FMCSA websites,
- You’re not provided with references,
- Demand to pay upfront.
- No bill of lading.
Watch the video below and find out how to expose a scammer.
Step #5: Understand Which Services Relocation Companies Are Offering
Think through if you can do the packing on your own, or you’ll have to ask for help. This is important because sometimes you just don’t have enough time to downsize for a move and everything from your household has to be packed. So, if you want to know how to find a good moving company, be sure every service needed is included.
It’s better to know if the relocation crew can help you with their packing services because when the relocation day comes, you won’t have time to think about boxes and your belongings. Also, you don’t want any unpleasant surprises on that day – don’t let there be any unexpected charges just because you didn’t ask.
Find Out Methods of Cars Transportation Relocation Companies Are Providing
The period after the move to a new home will be a tough one. The adjusting process will take time until you meet new neighbors and surroundings. Now, things will be a lot easier if you have your auto transported safely and in no time. You’ll feel safer with your four-wheeler in an unknown environment.
Before you get to the car shipping safety tips, it’s best to check the options a relocation team offers you. If a deal suits you, proceed with preparing the vehicle for shipping.
Step #6: Decide Whether You Need a Storage Unit for Your Belongings
Organizing the packing process is a process that requires some of the best tips you can find. You’ll approximately need one whole day to pack your house if there aren’t any kinds of distractions. Also, you should declutter and get rid of all that unnecessary stuff. However, it’s not always possible to do it. In that case, you should consider the storage facility.
It’s better to ensure the storage facilities relocation crew offers you are safe because you can put inside some of the stuff you might actually use later. So, consider some things when renting a storage unit and decide what you will move to a future house and whatnot.
Step #7: Seek Balance Between Price and Quality
You already know this, but let’s just write it as a reminder: nothing comes for free. That way, you should consider those cheap movers probably aren’t good and vice versa. However, this doesn’t mean the high-priced ones are automatically the most qualified and reliable ones.
Count in all the information you gathered and compare quality and price. Also, consider all factors that will affect your decision – price, every service offered, and reputation. That’s the safest way to achieve a stress-free move
Reliable Movers Will Pack Your Bulkier Furniture and Appliances
Another decisive factor to look for when it comes to picking the relocation team is to ask what to do with your bulky stuff. If you, for example, want to move your furniture or bulky appliances, you have to know if the mover you intend to hire will deal with that.
Trust Your Instinct and Relocate With Trustworthy Relocation Company
When the relocation day comes, you should be confident in the crew you hired for this job. The fewer concerns you have about each little process and service, the more relieved you’ll be. This means only one thing – you hired a team you can trust with all of your belongings. Following some simple steps, you’ll have the relocation experience to remember.
