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Everyone needs to move from somewhere at some time. According to a statistic, an average American moves 12 times in his lifetime. Moving can be an exhausting experience. You have to pack, load, unpack, and transport. It can take a whole lot of time and energy to do so. This hassle can ruin your moving experience.
This is why there are a lot of moving companies that offer their services so that you don’t have to do it all by yourself. These companies can cost you a certain amount but their services can take away the burden out of your shoulder. This can drastically improve your moving experience.
Choosing a local moving company can make or break your moving experience. This is why you should pay extra attention before hiring them. Your decision should depend on the quality of their moving services.
Here in this article, you’ll be able to read some valuable tips on how to choose the best and affordable moving and packing company.
Referrals & Reviews
Referrals and reviews can be very helpful in determining the company you should choose for your moving needs. You can ask your friends and family members about their moving experience with a company. They can recommend some good names according to their experience. They can also give you a heads up if a big company offered them a less-than-expected service. This is a great way to choose a company because you’re getting first-hand information from someone who has gone through the process.
When you’ve shortlisted moving companies based on the recommendations of your family and friends, now’s the time to go on the internet and look at their online presence. You can visit Google and Yelp and find their reviews and ratings. You can also check out their website. There you can find reviews and testimonials by their previous clients. A customer leaves a review if they had the best or the worst experience. Both kinds of reviews are important. If there are one or two bad reviews you can ignore them, however, if there are more than three or four bad reviews it should be a red flag for you. Moreover, if the general reviews and testimonials are positive you can go ahead and choose such a company for your moving needs as well. Their happy clientele suggests that they provide the best services.
Ask for License
Before choosing a moving service you should always check whether they are licensed or not. Check if they have a valid USDOT number that certifies them. A licensed company is experienced and knows how to provide the best moving service. This is why they have been certified by the authorities. An unlicensed company can pose a risk for you and your luggage. If an unlicensed mover is carrying your luggage, he might be stopped by the cops and made to abandon the moving truck with your luggage in it.
Random guys who own a truck and have people to pick up the luggage don’t qualify as a moving company. They should be licensed to protect your luggage and make sure that you have a fine moving experience rather than tangling yourself in nonsense.
Check for Insurance
During the packing, loading, unpacking, and transporting there’s a chance that some damage may occur to your luggage. This is why when you hire a moving company make sure that they have the insurance coverage. An insured company can provide you peace of mind at such a stressful time.
Insurance means in case of any damage, you’re covered and the burden lies on the shoulder of the insuring company. Moreover, also check whether they have the insurance for the general liability and workers’ compensation. Insurance can provide a safety net to both you and your moving company. This is why you should always choose a company that is insured.
Good Customer Service
Good customer service is very important. They should be able to provide you with all the necessary information. Look how they respond to your queries. Also check, whether they provide a free quote or not. Will they go the extra mile to ensure you have the best moving experience. Check the availability of their staff and how well they behave in your house while packing your luggage. All these things matter, therefore, you should look for the company that provides the best customer service.
Compare Costs
Once you’ve shortlisted the company for your moving needs, look at which is the most affordable moving company among them. Most companies will provide you with a free estimation of the costs. These costs depend on several factors like moving distance, packing needs, etc. You should ask your listed companies to provide you with a free quote of the services you’ll avail of. After this, you can compare these costs and choose a company that provides the best value for your money.
Ask for Written Contract
Moving and packing companies that are legitimate offer a written contract. If the company doesn’t do that you should ask for it. The contract should outline all the responsibilities and costs in it. This way you’ll have a document to refer to if something unexpected happens. You should thoroughly read the contract before you sign it. It will protect you from any surprises down the line.
