Tips on Finding the Best Long-Distance Moving Company
Moving across the country can be an exciting event, but it can test your nerves and mettle too. Logistically, there’s a lot to prepare for and work out. If you’re not careful and thorough, the process can be overwhelming. Selling your home and buying a new one can be stressful but packing up your things and transporting them can be difficult as well.
You have enough to worry about when you’re moving. Let a professional moving company like American Van Lines help relieve your burdens and give you a hand. The best movers will help the process go more smoothly and will get your belongings to your new home safe and sound.
Not all movers will meet your needs, and not all of these companies provide excellent service. To find the right place, you need to do your due diligence. Fortunately, there are some tips you can follow to increase your chance of finding movers that you’ll be happy with. Your realtor or broker can also be a great source for moving company referrals as well.
Don’t Put it Off
If you want to find a good long-distance moving company, you need to get an early start. This will enable you to have plenty of time to investigate plenty of options. Leaving this task to the last minute has some negative consequences.
First, you may feel so rushed that you aren’t thorough in your search and that you pick the first place you find. You may also find that the company you choose isn’t available to move you on the date you need. As soon as you know you’re going to move, start researching different companies. This will alleviate a lot of stress and allow you to have enough time to vet multiple movers.
Don’t Limit Your Choices
Another mistake people make when moving across the country is that they don’t explore more options. It’s best to have multiple choices available so you can compare rates, services, and other essential attributes. Though one place may look good, another may better suit your needs. Identify a handful of movers and investigate each one before you hire one.
Conduct an Interview
Once you narrow your candidates to a few movers, you can start to get more serious about choosing one. To do this, you should talk to a company representative. Your initial research may involve reading on the companies’ websites, but you can find out even more by talking to a live person.
Interview the moving company and ask relevant questions. You can find out more about pricing, time frames, whether the company will pack your belongings, insurance, and other important information. You should express concerns at this time and see how well the company resolves them.
Ask for a Walkthrough
Be wary of long-distance moving companies that give you a price quote without first seeing how much you have to move. The best movers will come to your home and do a walkthrough before you ever hire them. The company will see how big of a truck you will need and whether you require special accommodations.
Depend on Word-of-Mouth Advertising
Slick marketing techniques and creative ads can entice customers to choose a particular service. Moving companies may try these as well, but you don’t necessarily have to look for traditional advertising. Sometimes, you don’t need to go farther than your own family to get a good recommendation for a moving company.
Seek referrals for moving companies from people you know and trust that have recently moved. Talk to family members, neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Ask them which movers they used and how the process went. Find out what they liked and disliked about their experiences. Ask whether they would use the same movers again if the opportunity arose. When you get a recommendation from someone you know, you can trust their advice and direction.
Read Reviews
Online reviews don’t have to be the final answer, but they can be helpful in narrowing your search for a long-distance moving company. The more reviews you read, the better idea you’ll have of which movers will suit your needs. Get an idea of which places have the best reputations and provide the best service. You can also see which movers you might want to avoid.
Throw out Unlicensed, Uninsured Movers
No reputable professional mover would operate without the proper credentials. If you come across a company that doesn’t carry the proper licenses and insurance, don’t consider it. Insurance will protect you and the company in case of loss or other incidents.
Moving across the country is an event that requires a great deal of planning and consideration. If you want to have a professional moving company help, make sure you follow these guidelines. Doing so gives you a better chance of finding movers that you feel good about. You can then have peace of mind throughout the entire process until you are in your new home.