Finding the right moving service requires knowing what will hinder your progress. Here are mistakes to avoid when hiring a local moving company.
Getting ready to move sometime soon? Then you have probably already begun looking at moving companies to help you move your furniture and personal items from your current home to your new one.
However, whether you’ve used a moving company before or not, you may find that you’re hesitant to move forward with this task. You want your move to be as smooth, easy as possible, and you want it to be affordable, too. At the same time, you’d want to choose a company that is reputable, and one that will take care of your stuff as if it were their own, as well.
Choosing the best local moving company can seem overwhelming and daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you know what to look for, you can easily choose the best company for your needs.
Moving Company Red Flags
There are a number of red flags that can indicate a moving company may not be as great as they appear at first. Read on to learn more about those red flags. Find out how to select the best of the best. In this way, you can rest easy from the beginning to the end of your move.
1. Their Price is Too Good to Be True
Of course, you want to get a good deal on your move. But as the saying goes, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. A local moving company that gives you an estimate far below the others is not going to do a good job, and worse yet, their low price might be a sign of moving fraud. Even if they do really show up to move your stuff, the quality of service will likely be quite low.
Every once in a while, a company with a very low quote may be good after all, but do you really want to take the risk?
2. They Give You a Quote Over the Phone
It’s impossible to determine the true cost of a move without seeing your home and your belongings. If a company is quick to give you a complete and final estimate over the phone, you will probably want to consider a different company instead. Reputable companies will visit your home and help you itemize the things that you need to move. Only then can they give you an accurate estimate.
3. Their References and Reviews Aren’t Good
You should always check reviews and references when hiring someone to complete a service for you, and this is especially true when it comes to moving. There are so many different places you can check reviews online these days with a few clicks, so there is no excuse for not taking the time to do so.
Almost every company will have a few bad reviews from overly picky customers, but if there seem to be a lot of them, it’s a huge red flag. Try a different company instead.
4. The Company’s BBB Rating Is Low
The Better Business Bureau is a great resource as well. This private, independent, non-profit organization has been helping consumers since 1912 and is a reliable source for determining whether a company is reputable or not. Companies listed on the Better Business Bureau site are rated on a scale of A+ to F; look for movers with an A rating, and avoid any with a rating lower than B.
5. They Don’t Tell You About Possible Extra Costs
Even the best estimators rarely provide clients with an exact, correct price – that’s why it’s called an estimate. However, a reputable company will tell you about the possible additional costs before you sign the contract.
Extra costs incurred in a move may include the movers having to go up and down a set of stairs, the cost of boxes and tape, and the cost of gasoline for the trucks. This should all be itemized on any contract you receive; there should be no surprises at the end of the move when it comes time to pay.
6. The Company Doesn’t Do Written Contracts
A verbal contract is never a good idea when it comes to hiring someone to do work for you, and it’s certainly not a good idea when it comes to hiring a local moving company. All estimates should be in writing and a detailed contract should be provided to you before any of the moving begins. Never hire a company that insists on a verbal agreement.
7. They Are Not Adequately Insured
Reliable and reputable moving companies are insured. If the company cannot tell you about their insurance coverage when you ask about it, you should choose a different company instead. You want all of your belongings to be safe, and you want to make sure that you are not liable should one of the movers get injured on your old property or your new one.
Choosing the Best Local Moving Company Will Make All the Difference
It’s tempting to choose the local moving company that is cheapest or the one that advertises the most. However, as you can see from the list of red flags above, that is not at all the best way to choose the company that will be moving the possessions that you love and need.
Instead, take time to analyze the companies that you are considering against one another, and then make an informed decision. This is an additional step in your moving process, but when your stuff arrives at its new destination safely, undamaged, and in one piece, you’ll be glad you took the extra time.
If you’re looking for an affordable and high-quality, reliable moving company in the D.C. metro area, please consider us. You’ll find that we pass all the tests above and we’d love to help you with your move. Give us a call today with any questions; we can’t wait to hear from you.
