Moving the entire household can be pretty daunting for homeowners relocating.
That’s because for most people packing and unpacking is already over-the-top work and worry, let alone the moving part itself.
Plus there’s always the fear of losing valuable stuff during a move or damages to the property.
That’s why experts recommend professional movers instead of executing the move yourself.
However, professional movers may also turn out quite disappointing.
A 2012 report from Better Business Bureau (BBB) showed that there were about 7,700 customer complaints about movers in the USA.
But, since they know the tricks of the trade (and since not all are bad), the majority of the time movers can be a lot of help.
Good news: In just five steps you can succeed in finding the right mover for you. What are they?
So, let’s go through the FIVE steps below!
1) Google the Best Moving Companies
To hunt for the right mover the first step to take is to start out a zealous search on Google.
Start by searching for the best movers in your town.
No luck in your town? Step out and search for the best city or national moving firms (depending on where you’re moving).
When you’re able to list down a few movers, go through their customer reviews and shortlist the ideal ones.
It’s important to note that every firm has some unhappy clientele so if the reviews are like in the good/bad ratio of 80/20 they might still be GREAT movers.
On a side note, you may do without the Google thing altogether if your sis, aunt, uncle can refer to you their tried-and-tested mover.
Alright now mark the three best movers from your search… and proceed to the second step!
2) Check for Licenses And Professional History
In the second step, get your hands on the contact info for your three favourite movers and give them a ring one by one.
Ask for their address and go to meet them up (you need to be sure they are brick-and-mortar).
Then during the initial discussions request their licenses, stamps and authorizations!
An interstate mover has to be registered with the federal government, the Department of Transportation which issues them a DOT number.
You’ll need to verify that number from the official website ProtectYourMove.gov.
You can also glean more information by calling Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
For a local move, you’ll have to dial the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) to inquire about the movers’ history and verify the licenses provided.
3) Get the Final Quotes for the Move
Now it’s time to get down to financial matters.
Ask your selected moving companies for their final quotes and weigh them up on the difference in prices.
But, remember that you wouldn’t want to consider the prices in isolation.
Because a higher-priced mover could be justifying the difference with a better service.
So, several factors from the skills of the workers, licenses, guarantees, to reviews, speediness and safety count and will have to be looked at in detail.
Also, keep in mind, the quotes must include each and every item that needs to be transported.
If you miss out on a couple of things you may wrap up with a heavier bill post-move.
Lastly, when you get the quotes, get them in writing – don’t take verbals ever!
4) Finalize One and Sign the Contract
By now you’ve gone through the pros and cons of going with each of the three moving companies shortlisted.
You’ve compared their prices, customer reviews, testimonials, licenses and authorizations…
You’re sure all the questions have been answered and you’re about to make the right choice.
It’s time to make the final decision.
Shake hands with the mover that ticks all the necessary boxes based on your preferences and legal requirements!
When you sign the dotted line do so under the guidance of a legal expert.
Because there may be clauses that may seem fine to the layman but would have hidden insinuations, for example, bailing out the mover in case of damage.
So, pre-signing, get an expert to scan the fine print for you.
But wait..! There’s one last thing before signing!
5) Make Sure You’re Insured for Losses
Of course, you’ll talk with the mover in the very first round perhaps, about how they compensate for losses and damages.
But it’ll be necessary to go into and understand the details of their damage policy.
For example, they may say you’ll be refunded for any losses out of their negligence.
But, in case of an actual mishap, you may find them paying only part of the amount in line with some policy that you were never aware of.
So, it’s advised that you seek professional advice on the matter of insurance.
Generally, the mover will be fully responsible for carrying your belongings safely but they may have typed in clauses of ‘shared’ responsibility.
And, that’s not what you want.
Moreover, if the property is something that you can ill-afford NOT to insure, get proper insurance from a credible insurance provider.
Ready to find your next home?
Alright, through the five steps, now you’re ready to sign your mover.
It’s time to move!
AQRE Home makes findign your next home simple, with:
- an intuitive property search
- support from experts
- easy offers with the click of a button
- free property management tools that makes being a landlord easy
- zero listing fees!
So, what’s holding you back from investing in real estate?
Start looking for that perfect property today, on AQRE Home.
