Planning a move? Moving home can be incredibly exciting and the start of a new chapter in your life, but moving can also be an enormous and disruptive process to go through. This is why hiring a moving company is so important and can make all the difference to the moving process.
Not all professional movers are equal, though, which is why you need to know how to hire the best moving companies. They will be able to handle all of the logistics and heavy lifting, which will allow you to focus on the other important parts of the move.
So, if you are hiring movers then read on to find out how to find the right one for you.
Establish Your Needs
First, you should establish your needs as every move is different and this will determine the service that you require. If you are moving locally between single-person apartments, this will differ from a family moving across the country, for example.
Consider what your needs are and roughly how much you need to move so that you can use this information to find a company that specializes in this type of move. If you’re looking for compete moving services, you can get in touch with the professionals from move seattle.
Ask Around
Once you know what you are looking for, you will find that asking friends, family and colleagues is a great way to find a reliable moving company (or know which ones to avoid). You should always do your own online research, but a recommendation from someone that you trust will always be worth looking into.
Search Online
Leading on from this, you should then start to search online. You can research any recommendations that you have as well as search for “movers near me” to find a list of moving companies in your area.
You should then spend some time researching each company online to find one that is experienced, trustworthy, and professional. You can also search for the best moving services for seniors as they are specifically designed to assist seniors with their relocation needs. They can assist with downsizing, organizing, and decluttering belongings as well.
Look at Reviews & References
When researching moving companies online, you should always look for reviews that previous customers have left and not just on the company website. This will give you an idea of what doing business with them will be like and highlight their strengths and weaknesses.
You should also contact any references that they provide in order to get questions answered and to get a feel for what the company is like.
Look Into What Is Included
You also need to assess what is included with each moving company. The best moving companies will be the ones that provide packing materials, loading and unloading, storage services and generally handle all of the key tasks involved in moving home.
Additionally, try to find out how many people will be available to help with the move. If it is just two people, this could take a lot longer and ultimately end up costing you a lot more.
Obtain Multiple Quotes
When hiring movers, you should always obtain multiple quotes in order to get an idea of what is a reasonable cost for your move. You do not necessarily want to go with the cheapest option when it comes to moving, but you also do not want to overpay, particularly if there is a more complete service for a lower cost.
Ask Questions
Before hiring a moving company, you should always speak with someone first either via phone call/video call or in person. This will give you a chance to get any questions that you have answered as well as see how comfortable you feel with the company – you should always go with your gut in situations like this.
You should think of any questions that you might have, but a few that are worth asking include:
- How long have you been in business?
- What certification and insurance do you have?
- How will you protect my possessions and property?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What will happen if items go missing or are damaged?
- How are complaints and disputes handled?
- What separates you from other moving companies?
These questions should help you to form a better opinion on the business and whether or not these are the best professional movers for your needs.
Be Aware of Moving Scams
Unfortunately, moving scams can be an issue and it is important that you know how to avoid these. Most moving companies are professional, trustworthy and helpful, but there are some bad apples among the bunch. This means that you need to be careful and know how to avoid moving scams. A few basic tips for avoiding moving scams include:
- Taking your time with the research stage
- Check credentials and insurance information
- Get estimates in writing
- Be cautious of unmarked moving trucks
- Arrange a consultation
- Go with your gut instinct
This should help you to avoid scams and hire a professional, reliable company.
Check Availability
Once you think that you have found the right professional movers for your needs, you will want to get them booked in. Keep in mind that the most popular movers will get snapped up quickly, which is why you need to give yourself plenty of time to find the best moving companies.
If you can, try to move in the middle of the month and on a weekday. This is a quieter time for professional movers, so there is likely to be greater availability.
Book Them In
At this point, you will want to book the moving company. You should not have to pay a deposit and there should be a range of payment options available. You will also want to confirm the details for what to expect on the day, including what you need to do before they arrive.
Unless they are packing for you, it is important that you have everything ready to go on the big day so that they can get to work as soon as they arrive.
Hiring a Moving Company Made Easy
This post should help when it comes to hiring a moving company and help you to find professional movers that will take all of the stress out of what can be a tough time.
If you found this post useful, check out our other articles on real estate for more information.
