Millions of people move long distances or one state to another in a year. Very few of these moves ever go smoothly, with many instances of lost items, broken valuables, or even movers not showing up being reported. However, this doesn’t mean your next cross-country or interstate move has to be as hectic as many people put it. All you need to do is come up with a well-formulated plan for the move, and most importantly, hire the right long-distance mover for the job. Hiring the right mover helps eliminate most of the incidences, anxiety, and stress, another reason you need to take your time when looking for one. Outlined below are a few tips and tricks for hiring the right long-distance mover.
1. Ask For Referrals From Family And Friends
There is a good chance that a family member or even a close friend used a mover’s services or knew a credible one. Asking them to help you identify a good mover, or recommend one, can save you lots of time and effort. While your family and friends will recommend a company, they think is best, you still have the right to decide which mover to hire. Just because your uncle or brother-in-law liked a particular mover’s service doesn’t mean you will too. Hence, you should look into each of these companies information at mylongdistancemovers.com to see which fits your budget, moving date, load, and expectations.
2. Ask For In-Person And Written Estimates
Although most long-distance movers will have a rough estimate of how much an interstate move would cost on their website, you are better off asking for in-person estimates instead. This means the mover will have someone come over to see how much needs to be moved, then calculate the distance to be covered when calculating the estimate. The best thing about in-person and written estimates is that they are nearly as accurate, hence giving you an idea of how much you will be looking to spend on the move. Be sure to get written estimates from several companies for comparison purposes.
3. Ask About Packing Services And Any Additional Fees
Most moving companies choose to include packing services in their package/estimate, while some will offer it as an additional service. You thus need to remember to ask about the service if it isn’t already included in the estimate. Some movers will charge a small fee for the packing service but still require you to pack all your valuable accessories. Most movers will also provide packing boxes should you choose to do the packing and unpacking yourself.
You might also want to inquire about additional services that each of the provider charges. Some of the best long-distance movers in the industry do not have hidden charges but rather include it in the original quotation. Many will, however, most charges that could/should be included in your bill, including extra stop charges, fuel surcharges, or even equipment fees. Most of the moving companies that seem cheap don’t include these charges, only to add them later to the final bill.
4. Check The Provider’s Insurance Coverage
You need to be sure your valuables will be in safe hands and insured during the move. Some of the best moving companies will have an insurance policy covering everything that the mover will handle for clients. This means the insurance company will compensate you, the client if your valuables get damaged or lost during the move. Your items are thus safer off with an insured mover than going for a cheaper but uninsured option. Be sure to check and confirm the company’s insurance policy status before making the final decision.
5. Experience And Licensing
None of all the above factors would matter if the mover weren’t licensed to operate. A licensed mover is better placed to offer better quality services than an unlicensed one, and for a good reason. It has to meet a specific set of requirements for it to be allowed to operate within the state. That said, going for a licensed mover has its perks and advantages, all the more reason it is the best choice. Be sure to confirm the company’s license status via the appropriate channel.
Experience matters a lot and especially if one has to handle your valuables. Many reputable movers have been in operation for years and have also invested heavily to make their work easier and smoother. Their years of experience in the field has enabled them to learn how to manage or mitigate various issues that come with moving. Thus, it would be advisable to hire a mover with at least 3 years of experience in the field. A little research may also be needed to see how the mover handles clients’ items and if they do indeed train their staff on the same.
6. Check Reviews and Testimonials
Check to see the company’s performance under the better business bureau (BBB) and previous customer ratings, reviews, and testimonials. A company might seem decorated only to offer horrible services to clients. However, reading through several reviews and testimonials will help you understand the company better and expect it in the long run.
As mentioned before, proper planning is needed when moving. Identifying the right mover is the first step to making a move successful. You also need to exchange information to enable the mover to serve you better.
