How to choose the right moving company
When it comes to having a successful and stress free move, choosing the right moving company is the number one way to make sure everything goes as planned. Below is our guides and tips on how to choose the right moving company for your move.
Get referrals
This is our personal favorite way to choose movers. Ask friends, co-workers or even your realtor. The reason we like this option is because these people will have had first hand experience with the companies they are recommending from beginning to end. If they are saying great thing about a company after they have used them they are worth listening to. One tip is to ask the person who referred you if they remember the names of the actual crew who moved them, that way you can personally request the same crew when you call
Find and research companies on Yelp
This is a great way to not only find a list of potential companies but also research what previous customers have to say about them at the same time. When putting your list together we recommending choosing companies that have at least 30+ reviews. This ensures that the company has been around for at least a few years and that the majority of their reviews should all be real.
Make sure they are licensed and insured
The easiest way to do this is simple by calling the companies on your list and asking them to email you their proof of license and insurance, if they are a legitimate company they will have no issue doing this.
If the company is just a local company the best way to check is by ringing you local PUC or by checking on their website. All local companies are required to have their insurance information registered with the PUC.
Another way to check the company you are thinking of hiring is by going to FMCSA Website. There you can pull up information as: company type, fleet size, number of trucks and trailers. You can also extract the moving company insurance information if you need to contact their insurance company.
Get a written estimate
Get a written estimate from several movers and compare them. The estimate should be based on an actual in-person inspection of your household goods. It is important to get an in person estimate as in most states a moving company is not required by law to stick to a estimate given over the phone. If however you receive an in person estimate they are required by law to deliver your goods for no more than 10% above the price of a nonbinding estimate. This is known as the 110 percent rule.
Check with the BBB
Checking with the Better Business Bureau is a great way to research potential moving companies as it will allow you to check if there has been any complaints made against that company. Stick with moving companies that are BBB accredited or at least have a good rating. If the moving company isn’t listed with the BBB, consider looking for one that is, but also keep in mind that it does cost quite a bit of money to be listed with the BBB so some newer or smaller companies may be good but just can’t afford to be listed.
Verify the Moving Companies address
Always ask the company for a business card or look up their information online. It is important to make sure that all the information listed on business cards, websites, licensing websites etc all matches, if not it can be a red flag. Be sure the company has a local address and answers the phone with its full business name — not just “movers” or something equally generic.