Moving companies help families, businesses, and individuals transport their belongings from one home to another. Whether they are local or long-distance, the best movers make sure your items arrive safely and in good condition.
How to Find a Moving Company
The first step in finding a moving company is to make sure they are licensed and insured by the state. Often, this is a function of the state’s Department of Transportation, but it can also be a separate entity. You can also check the BBB and customer reviews for a moving company to see how they’ve performed in the past.
How to Pay for a Moving Service
The cost of a move depends on the distance between your old home and new one, the number of movers needed, and any add-ons you may want to use. You’ll also need to consider your budget, since a local move can be significantly cheaper than a long-distance one.
Local moves are billed at hourly rates, which can vary depending on the time of day and how many crew members are needed to complete the move. Similarly, long-distance moves are billed by the line-haul fee (the price the movers must pay to ship your belongings), which is determined by the weight of your shipment and how far it will need to travel.
Some movers offer storage solutions, which can be an excellent way to help reduce your move costs while giving you more time to prepare for your big move. These options include temporary self-storage, storage in transit, and permanent storage.
For a more streamlined moving process, many movers will send an inspector to your home or business to get a better understanding of the size and layout of your belongings. This allows them to create a comprehensive estimate of how much the moving job will cost and ensures that you have a full understanding of your move costs before the work begins.
Special Items
Some of your furniture, appliances, and other possessions are so unique that they require specialized attention to transport them to your new home. Fortunately, most moving companies will have specialists on staff who can handle these unique items with care. For example, they might hire a team of professionals to dismantle and reassemble a pool table or piano for the move.
During the quote process, ask about specialty movers and what types of extras they offer, such as specialty packing or value protection. Typically, these additional services are included in the basic price of the move but you can request additional features for an added fee.
A moving company should provide you with a written contract that spells out all of the terms and conditions, including what happens if your belongings are damaged or stolen. This can prevent you from being hit with surprise charges on your final bill.
How to Choose a Moving Company
The moving industry is a competitive one, so it’s important to compare quotes from a variety of movers before you sign a contract. Getting multiple estimates is the best way to avoid paying too much or too little for your move.