Starting the moving process, whether across town or cross-country, immediately presents you with lots of questions to be answered. Finding a moving company to get your belongings from point A to point B may seem to be as easy as a quick search online, but there are many important things you’ll want to consider to find the best moving company to meet your needs.
1. REPUTATION
The amount of information available to you in the research phase of a move makes it a lot much easier to narrow the search of moving companies that are worth hiring. Utilize word-of-mouth references from friends, family, and co-workers as well as online customer reviews to obtain a well-rounded picture of the moving company you’re evaluating. A moving company should never ask you to produce a deposit to “secure your schedule,” and it’s actually unlawful for them to ask. Visit: https://wemoveanywhere.com
2. LICENSE AND INSURANCE
Your destination will dictate the requirements of the moving company’s license. An in-state move only requires talk about licensing, but anything crossing state lines will require a DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION number, uniquely issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation for that specific moving company.
You will also want to make sure that the moving company is insured, which can also be verified in the DOT’s official database. Any moving company that will not have a license or insurance is not a good fit to ensure the safety of your belongings. You can also check with your own insurance company to determine if any of your belongings are covered during a move and then decide if supplemental insurance is necessary.
3. CERTIFICATIONS
Just as you have done with the license and insurance information, there are a few more ways to make certain the moving company you’re researching contains the proper certifications to operate legally.
Any legitimate moving company will be able to produce proof of these certifications, and many could even offer them up without you the need to ask. Make sure you verify they have the following certifications:
Licensed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA)
Department of Transportation (DOT) Licenses
American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) – Pro Mover certification
In addition to these certifications, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and moving-company-specific associations like the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) can be a great aid in determining which companies are reputable and which are not.
4. IN-HOME OR VIDEO SURVEY ESTIMATES
Increasingly, customers are requesting quotes over the telephone. For smaller apartment or home moves, some moving companies, come with an estimator tool that provides customers the option of acquiring a quote over the phone plus they can book the move immediately with a deposit.
For larger moves, to be able to get the most accurate quote, it is recommended that you schedule an in-home estimate or a video survey, both which allows you to first meet with the person that may assist you coordinate your move through its completion and find out more about their specific process which means you know what should be expected at every step of your move.