When it comes to hiring a moving company, a lot of people don’t pay much attention to it and usually go with the first or the cheapest one they can find. But hiring movers who are going to move your precious stuff from one place to another is not a decision that anyone should take lightly. A good moving company is licensed, has an arbitration program, and years of experience.
There are millions of moving companies in the US, and if you are looking for one in your area, you can find plenty of options without putting much effort. But keep in mind even though all the movers may seem like they are offering similar things, the quality of their service will vary. That is why you need to be wise and choose the company that is trustworthy and will best suit your needs. Below I have mentioned a few tips that can help you hire the right moving company. Let’s take a look.
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Licensed And Arbitration
The first thing you need to find out while hiring a moving company is whether they are licensed or not. You don’t want to hand over your precious household items to someone who is not even licensed. Movers license is not just given out to anyone; a company has to fulfill certain requirements to get that license.
So don’t be afraid to ask the company about it directly. Also, any company that moves interstate must have an arbitration program as well. Moving companies in the US are legally obligated to get an arbitration program. It can help resolve the dispute in case your stuff gets damaged while moving.
Moving Inventory
A good moving company will make an inventory of all your belongings carefully and will determine the price accordingly. They will also go through all of your belongings like cupboards, bookcases, drawers, and garages to determine the correct weight and size of all the stuff. The price that the mover will charge you will mainly depend on two things.
The first one is the weight of your stuff, the heavier it is, the more money it is going to cost. The second one is the space your stuff will take in the container. Once these two things are determined, a few other things will come into play as well, but these two will define the price mostly.
Get A Walkthrough
Doing a walkthrough with a mover will also give you an idea of whether their company is good or not. Any mover who does a quick walkthrough without asking too many questions is a big no. A good mover will take his time and will observe things closely. He will ask you questions as well like how much stuff are you planning to leave behind and how many sensitive items do you have. You must also tell the contractor about everything that you are leaving behind because it can help you save a lot of money and some space in the truck.
Never Pay A Big Deposit
If your movers are asking for a hefty deposit upfront, then you might want to reconsider them. A good moving company never asks for a big deposit and bills you once the job is done. When you have paid a small amount in advance, you have much more control over the company, and you can push them to deliver your belongings as soon as possible. On the other hand, if you have paid most of the amount already, then you would not be able to push the company to speed up the delivery, and you might have to wait extra days before you get your stuff.
Check Reviews And References
The smart thing to do while hiring a moving company is to ask a friend or family member for a recommendation. If there is someone who has recently hired a moving company, meet with them and ask them about their experience. If they had a good experience, then you can also consider going with the same company.
If no one in your circle has hired a moving company before then you can check the reviews for the companies you have shortlisted online. You can easily find the reviews on their website and social media pages. If the reviews are satisfactory, then you can consider going with them.
You Can Avoid Packing Costs
Do you have confidence in your packing abilities? If yes, then you should pack all of your stuff yourself and save a lot of money. Movers offer packing services as well, but it can be very expensive. If you do it yourself, you will be able to save a considerable amount of money. However, do keep in mind that if you pack everything yourself, the mover will not be responsible for any damage your belongings will receive. So, the choice is yours; If you trust your packing abilities, you could always save some money.
Keep Extra Fees In Mind
Another thing most people don’t know about moving companies is that there are a lot of extra fees involved as well. So if you have a budget in mind, you might want to keep it a bit flexible. For example, if you are moving to a two-story house and the movers didn’t agree to move the stuff up the stairs, then you might have to pay an extra fee for that. There are other small things that can come up, so it is best that you have a flexible budget.
Report Problems Early On
When you have received all your items safely at the new place, it is recommended that you open all the boxes as soon as possible. A lot of people open some boxes a month later and find out that something in it has been damaged. Normally you only have nine months to report the problem, and once you have reported the problem, it can take up to thirty days for your mover to accept your claim. Reporting early means you will never lose your insurance.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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