How To Find Experienced Moving Companies

18 February, 2010

There aren’t many things in life that can bring on a panic attack like an impending move. Even if you just finished building your dream home and you’re finally leaving your parents’ house, the move can cause plenty of stress. Professional, experienced moving companies can help reduce problems and help things go smoothly.

Moving companies differ greatly. Large companies can help with long convoluted moves from country to country or cross-country, and smaller mom and pop companies can better handle things of a local nature, within a hundred miles or so.

As you contact companies to get estimates, don’t limit this to phone calls. If moving companies can’t come to your home to see what they will be dealing with, don’t use them. Some companies have their phones answered by customer service reps who have never even packed a box in their entire lives, and they are trained to answer questions from a knowledge base. If you have some unique circumstances, you may very well get a quote that can’t be upheld at the last minute.

Also make sure you know how many people you will be paying for. Many companies send out two workers only. Unless you live in a one bedroom apartment, two men can only move a few boxes or one piece of furniture at a time. If their truck isn’t literally at your front door, just loading the truck could take all day.

Ask to see their contract first, then read it thoroughly before signing. Pay close attention to small print. Look for insurance coverage and guarantees. Also look for things like how they charge for overtime if they are basing your estimate on an hourly rate per person. All too often any overtime is the fault of the moving companies, not yours. Don’t allow yourself to end up in a position where you are paying hundreds of dollars extra because these guys took off for lunch, delaying the process.

It’s important to ask very pointed questions as you interview them. You aren’t just looking for prices, you are looking for people who know what they are doing. Ask things like: what happens if it starts raining out during the move? Do you have waterproof pads to cover the furniture as it is removed from the truck? How do you handle expensive antiques and art work?

Also, run fast from anyone who asks to be paid in cash. If they don’t take credit cards, don’t hire them.

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