Moving can be an incredibly stressful time in one’s life. Even a local move requires a great deal of logistical coordination and planning. Hiring a local moving company is a great way to reduce stress and ensure your items are being handled professionally and with care. However, that is only true if you hire a great company. After all, you don’t want to trust all of your belongings to anyone.
Selecting great local movers can be daunting, but there are some key strategies that can help you find the right company.
- Assess what you need: A small local move can be much easier than a complex move across the country. Still, you will want to identify all items that need to be moved. It’s also good to take note of any large items, such as appliances or pianos, as these may require special equipment or extra personnel to move safely.
- Look for the services you need: Not all moving companies offer all services. Once you know what you need for the move, the next step is comparing your needs to the services provided by local movers. This step is especially important if you are moving heavy items, fragile materials, or require long- or short-term storage. You may find that only a few can meet your needs, reducing the legwork you have to do going forward. Conversely, if it’s a simple move, you may find that nearly all companies can help you adequately.
- Do your homework: While you may come across ads for moving companies everywhere, it’s not a great idea to simply call the first one you come across. They may be great, but they may not. It’s a huge gamble to hire a moving company without getting some information about their track record. And when your life’s possessions are at stake, it’s likely not a gamble you want to make. Fortunately, there are many avenues you can go down while looking for information. Asking friends and relatives for a reference is a great starting point. You can also read online reviews and check websites such as the Better Business Bureau. It’s also good to look up information related to licensure and insurance coverage while doing your research. This data can help you narrow down the field of candidates.
- Compare quotes: Obtaining multiple quotes is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the options. When requesting a quote, you can assess the facility (if you go in person) and speak with current staff to get a handle on their level of knowledge and experience. In an ideal world, the cost wouldn’t matter, but in reality, you must find a mover who can get the work done within your budget. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay approximately $40 per hour per worker. Therefore, the cost of moving a studio apartment is often just a couple hundred dollars, whereas a three-bedroom home can exceed $1,100, even for local moves.
- Look at the contract terms: Once you have narrowed it down to one or two options, you will want to read through all of the documentation they provide you. These terms and conditions can give you an idea of what to expect related to delivery times, insurance options, and handling disputes. Unfortunately, most people don’t read this information until after an incident has occurred. Knowing everything upfront can save you heartache down the road, especially if there is an incident during the move.
- Look at deposit requirements: While most reputable local movers won’t charge you anything until your items are delivered, some moving companies do require a deposit. But this shouldn’t exceed 20% of the total estimate. Unfortunately, there are many scammers out there who can easily set up a website and start collecting deposits, only to leave you in a lurch when moving day arrives. If you are working with professional movers who require a deposit, it’s a good idea to charge it to a credit card, as it can be disputed if any issues arise later. If you encounter a moving company scam, you must contact the local police. This action can save other consumers from suffering the same problems you did.
Hiring professional movers can take a lot of the stress out of moving, thereby allowing you to focus on getting started at your new place. Doing a little bit of research and knowing some of the warning signs of bad companies can help you select the right local mover for your belongings. To learn more about reputable local movers, contact Quantum Moving today.