Hiring a Moving Service: Tips for First-Time Movers

Hiring a competent mover can be a daunting task. The quality of service you receive from moving companies can range from excellent to absolutely terrible. As long as you research at least 10 companies before making a decision and ask the right questions during interviews, you’re bound to find the right mover for the job. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you hire a mover for the first time. Free Quote from California moving companies.

Know the Details of Your Move

Before you get started with your move, it’s a good idea to figure out exactly what your move is going to look like. Are you packing your belongings by yourself? Will you opt for a flat rate or an hourly rate for your move? During what time frame are you hoping to move? Do you need storage?

Interview Movers on the Phone

Research the background of at least 10 moving companies, getting information about the history of each company and checking out complaint registries. You can call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Better Business Bureau to request complaint information about movers. Narrow down your options from there.

Once you have a list of potential moving companies, call each one for a telephone interview. Ask them if they offer binding or non-binding estimates and whether or not they are licensed. You can verify if they are licensed by giving your state’s department of transportation a call. Then you can narrow your choices down to the top three, all of which you can have come to your home to assess your move and give you an estimate.

Questions to Ask a Moving Company Consultant

Once you have set up appointments with moving companies to come to your home, have a set of questions ready to ask them. Ask the moving company consultant questions about things such as how long the company has been around, how long the consultant has been giving moving estimates, what pricing options they offer, and whether the company does any repeat work for businesses in the area. You can also test the moving company consultant’s knowledge by asking questions about how they plan to move your fragile items or a particularly cumbersome and large piece of furniture that you own.

It’s important to know how long a moving company consultant has been giving estimates because the more experience the consultant has, the more accurate his estimates are likely to be. And if the moving company itself has been around a decade or longer, it’s probable that they’re doing something right. Further, when you talk to a moving company consultant, make sure you understand their pricing or estimate options very well. You should also ask about the types of insurance that the company offers.

If you find out that the moving company does repeat work for businesses in the area, it’s a good sign that they consistently offer quality service. On the other hand, if you ask a moving company to provide you with a reference, they are never going to provide you with a bad reference so keep that in mind.

Considerations

If you are receiving a flat rate estimate, movers must give you a quote based on weight, not cubic feet. Quotes based on cubic feet measurements are not accurate. If you are moving locally, you may receive an hourly rate instead.

Also remember that if you request any additional services not included in your contract, you will be charged upon delivery. To avoid paying hidden fees, make sure to have your mover list all moving costs in writing prior to the move. The most common type of hidden charge is for packing supplies. Movers may also charge you for wrapping up big items or assembling/disassembling furniture. You can save on some of these extra costs during your move by buying your own packing supplies. San Francisco movers

Tips are not included in moving charges but are almost always expected. If you think the movers did a great job, you can tip anywhere from 5% to 15%. If you think they did horribly, don’t feel obligated to tip and contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint instead!