7 Tips for Choosing a Long-Distance Mover
Moving across state lines is very different from moving within the same city. And choosing a company for a long-distance move is more complex than choosing a local mover.
Here are seven tips to guide your choice.
1. Get at least three estimates involving visits to your home. Three estimates are necessary to get a clear picture of pricing levels and to evaluate all aspects of each company’s estimate. And it’s important to insist that the mover’s representative visit your home. Some companies prefer to ask questions over the phone, but such estimates are much less useful.
2. Ensure that the mover is licensed. A company must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to transport belongings across state lines. A licensed mover must display its U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number in all advertising.
3. Ensure that the mover is insured. Obviously, this is an important requirement, so ask about the specifics of the mover’s basic insurance coverage. If interested, you can also ask about purchasing extra insurance, which is offered by some companies.
4. Check the company’s reputation through authoritative channels. Consult the Better Business Bureau website to review the information, if any, that this non-profit agency has collected on the mover. Also, check the FMCSA website to see if there have been any safety violations involving the company (using their DOT number).
5. Check the company’s reputation through non-authoritative channels. Various social media websites, as well as those listing moving services, provide reviews of movers. These include Yelp, Citysearch, and Angie’s List.
6. Study the specifics of each company’s moving service. Review the estimate to determine exactly what the company’s quote includes, as basic services can vary from mover to mover. Also, ask two important questions of each mover: What is the company’s policy on consolidation (when your belongings are transported in the same truck as those of other households)? Does the company subcontract any of its services to other movers?
7. Ask about the mover’s personnel. Try to find out how many men will be assigned to your move, and ask about their training and experience.
Choosing a long-distance mover is a very important decision.
The right mover can contribute to an efficient and problem-free move, while the wrong mover can cause moving nightmares! When you are reviewing estimates, consider not only the price quoted by each company but also the mover’s reputation and the other criteria cited in this article.
When you are reviewing estimates, consider not only the price quoted by each company but also……
Posted by HaulMatch on Tuesday, March 28, 2017
