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Quick Summary

1. Get referrals from local real estate agents and friends who have moved recently.
2. Only consider movers that are licensed, bonded and insured.
3. Investigate your potential movers through the US Department of Transportation, the Better Business Bureau and MovingScam.com.
4. Evaluate a minimum of 3 movers based on in-home estimates of goods to be moved.
5. Price isn’t the only factor- extremely low bids indicate a desperate mover.
6. Ask for written “Binding Not-To-Exceed” estimates.
7. Avoid “rogue movers”- if you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts!

The Details

You’re moving and you have a big decision to make: choosing reputable movers or moving companies? By spending some time researching movers, you can eliminate some of the stress that comes from moving. Following are some tips to help you plan your move.

Getting Started: Referrals

Referrals are the best way to start your research about moving companies. While the Yellow Pages and web searches are great resources, referrals and firsthand experiences are the best leads. Friends, co-works and neighbors are the best people to ask about past experiences. It is best to ask people who have moved within the past year as a company’s quality can decrease over time. Be sure to ask about the pros and cons of each move, as all information is helpful in the long run.

Industry professionals are also great resources while researching potential moving companies. Another resource is your realtor or leasing agent and is a treasure trove of information. If you work for a large company, the Human Resources department may have information about relocation. Referrals like this can help your research efforts immensely.

Licensing

All movers are regulated by the federal, state, and local laws. Moving across state lines is mandated by the federal laws, and movers who do this need to be licensed by the Department of Transportation, which does not regulate local movers. Laws vary widely at the state level, and many states, such as Alaska and Delaware, do not require moving companies to have separate licenses. Be sure to verify that the licenses are current. Also, it is highly recommended that you check if your movers are bonded and insured, as both are proof that the company is legitimate and has financial stability in the case you need to make a claim.

Investigate Potential Movers

Once you’ve done your research, your next research topic should be people’s experiences with the companies you’re interested in. All moving companies have their share of complaints, so objective opinions are especially important. There are a few resources you can use provided by the Department of Transportation. One of them is the “Protect your Move” program which is a site that will allow you to look up individual moving companies. Other websites include MovingScam.com, ProtectYourMove.gov and the Better Business Bureau. Checking all three is a great idea to have a fuller view of the company whose services you might enlist. When looking at complaints, it’s important to look at patterns of issues and how they were resolved rather than the complaint itself.

In-home Estimates

Many movers offer estimates over the phone or on the web, simplifying the customer’s job. Keep in mind that any estimates are unreliable until a company representative takes physical inventory of all your belongings. Take note if a company isn’t interested in doing an in-home visit. This disinterest reflects on their importance of you as a customer. Also, getting only one or two estimates may seem like a great idea, but consider having more. Keep in mind that getting estimates provides you with the opportunity to compare services and prices as well as evaluate the personnel. Getting estimates in person may help your move in the long run.

Pricing

Price is probably one of the largest factors when selecting a moving company; however, this is not the only one. Quality, safety and reliability are equally as important. You are putting your property in the hands of complete strangers, which puts pricing on the wayside. If you see an estimate that is more than a third lower than the next lowest estimate, start asking why. Often, these low estimates indicate inexperienced or desperate movers.

“Binding Not to Exceed” Estimates

There are two types of estimates: binding and non-binding. Non-binding estimates are not contractual and provide limited rights. Binding estimates, on the other hand, are contracts and links you to the moving company. “Binding Not to Exceed” estimates place caps on the amount you will be charged, so long as no additional services or items are added to your original request. Moving companies are very meticulous when making estimates, and many of them don’t offer estimates at all. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity if it is presented to you.

“Rogue Movers”

The Department of Transportation offers warnings about scam artists they have called “rogue movers.” These groups often offer low estimates to load your possessions, and then demand absurdly high prices for the retrieval of them. Following are a few warning signs.

• You are not offered an on-site inspection of your goods and get an estimate over the phone that seems too good to be true.
• The moving company demands cash or a large deposit before the move.
• You are not provided a copy of “your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Moving companies are required by Federal regulations to provide this booklet as clients plan interstate moves.
• The website has no local address and lacks information about licensing or insurance.
• The mover claims all goods are covered by their insurance.
• When you call the mover, the telephone is answered with a generic “Movers” or Moving company,” rather than the company’s name.
• Offices and warehouse are in poor condition or nonexistent.
• On moving day, a rental truck arrives rather than a company-owned and marked fleet truck.

A Final Note

While there are many decisions and hoops to pass through to pick a moving company, you will find that hiring those with great reputations often lead to a good experience. By taking these tips in mind, you can be sure your moving experience can be pleasant and easy.

Tags: Better Business Bureau, Human Resources, Transportation and Logistics