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How to Choose the Best Movers

VWB Blog 1 year ago 3

In 2021, 80% of Americans lived 100 miles or less from their hometown. It might be surprising, but there are only a select few that choose to venture to new places and put down roots elsewhere.

Are you one of these Americans? Then you’ll want some help figuring out logistics, and the main part is finding professional movers who will make your move smooth and easy.

How can you ensure that the money you’re spending will pay off though?

Keep reading to see how you can choose the best movers for your relocation.

Ask Your Social Circle

It’s very likely that your friends and family have moved before, and they probably didn’t do it on their own. Ask around to see if anyone’s used professional movers before and if the companies are available locally.

This is a great opportunity because they’ll want to help you and won’t have any ulterior motives to promote a company (unless they work for or own it, of course). They’ll answer your questions honestly, and they’ll also tell you which businesses not to use if they had a bad experience.

Look Online

Now that you have a list to start with, it’s time to start digging. Google is your best friend here; type in “local movers,” and you’ll get many results immediately.

See if the recommended movers appear on the Google results. If they do, that’s a good sign since they’re still in business.

Now add to this list by clicking the top results and checking out their websites. Go with your gut instinct; if something seems weird or fishy, then trust it and look elsewhere.

See What Services They Offer

While you’re looking at the websites, note what services they offer. Nowadays, moving companies can do much more than transport your belongings, such as:

  • Packing
  • Storage
  • Unpacking

Some people prefer to pay a little extra to have everything done for them, so they don’t have to lift a finger. But others would rather save some cash and DIY as much of the move as possible. So it’s up to you to determine which services you want and to find the business that matches your needs.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that if you’re making a long-distance move, some moving companies specialize in this. So if you’re moving from California to NY, you’ll want a reputable cross-country relocator on your side.

Check Online Reviews

Some movers may seem perfect on paper, but the reality is, they’re a nightmare. After all, you can put anything you want on your website to “sell” yourself, including cherry-picking good reviews from other sites.

You’ll want to take your shortlist and do your own research. Thankfully, this is easy!

Enter the business name into Google, and Google My Business will automatically bring up its information, including the number of reviews and the average rating. Try to pick movers that have at least four out of five stars.

You should also take a few minutes to read through the reviews. What do people love about the business? What do they find not satisfactory?

Remember that you can’t please everyone, so it’s normal for companies to have bad reviews. Take those with a grain of salt, unless you see a huge splattering of them.

If you filter by “recent” and see that most reviews are bad, then take that mover off your list. It’s possible that the business had a change of ownership, and things went south afterward.

See if They’re Registered

If you’re moving across state lines, then movers are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation (DOT). If a business is legitimate, then it should have this DOT number listed on its website.

Take this number and check it on the DOT’s website. This will tell you whether or not a mover is federally registered. It’ll also tell you if they’re properly insured.

Needless to say, for an interstate move, never choose a company that doesn’t have a DOT number or insurance. These are people you’re trusting with your belongings, after all.

Check With the BBB

What if you’re moving within the state? Then local movers aren’t required to have a DOT registration. So how can you make sure you’re choosing a reliable company?

The BBB is a good alternative to check. If there are any, you’ll find official complaints here.

Request Quotes

Never find movers and commit to them right away. You shouldn’t even do this after you’ve requested a quote and found it acceptable.

First, ask for an in-home estimate. Over-the-phone quotes won’t be accurate since they can’t see your property and your belongings.

Then, request quotes from at least two other movers. This allows you to compare the services and prices.

An added benefit is you can spot any scammers straightaway. Those who quote absurdly low prices will probably sneak in extra fees. And those who have high prices are taking advantage of their customers.

Pick the Best Movers

Hiring the best movers for your relocation can make all the difference. So take your time and follow the advice we’ve given you in this article.

Ask your social circle for recommendations, do your own research, create a shortlist, and dig further. Then when you have several choices left, ask for in-house estimates.

If you take all these steps, it’ll be hard to pick a bad mover. And as a result, you’ll be pleased with how easy your move will go, no matter how far you’re going.

Keep reading the rest of our blog page for more interesting posts.

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