How to Pick the Best Moving Company for You

​Moving is a stressful ordeal, especially when moving day finally comes around. The one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about on moving day is whether or not all your belongings will make it there safely. Choosing the correct moving company can make a huge difference in the moving day experience. Here are a few tips on how to pick the correct moving company for you.
 
Get Referrals
Everyone has different moving experiences, some good and some bad. Ask your friends, neighbors, and family about their experiences and what moving company they used. This will be the easiest way to start the search, instead of scouring the internet. You could even ask your real estate agent, if you are working with one.
 
Talk to Multiple Companies
You should never accept the first estimate you get. Get estimates from multiple companies, as well as making sure they do the estimate in person. If they don’t see your stuff, the estimate can’t be solid.
 
No Large Deposits
If a moving company asks for a large deposit or cash, this is a huge red flag. No reputable company will ask for these things up front. If you pay in advance, there is nothing stopping them from just taking your stuff.
 
Make Sure They are Insured
Moving companies are given a U.S. DOT number that ensures that they are insured. There are multiple ways to check for this. If you are staying in state for the move, you can check this by contacting your local consumer affairs agency. If you are moving out of state, you can go to protectyourmove.gov and request the companies U.S. DOT number from there. Keep this number on file, as you will need it if you end up making any claims later on.
 
Check with the BBB
One of the best ways to check any company’s reputation is by looking them up on the Better Business Bureau website. If the company is accredited by the BBB or has a good rating, then it is worth moving forward with them. If they have a poor rating or are not on the website at all, it’s best to move on to another company.
 
Check their Address
As soon as you get a company’s address, look it up online. You are doing this to verify the legitimacy of the moving company. Make sure the company is registered to the address given to you, and that it is an actual business and not a residential address.
 
Be Aware of Any Extra Fees
Extra fees can completely inflate the cost of the move. Ask the company of any possible extra fees up front. For example, if the mover has to navigate any stairs to get your belongings from point A to point B, you will almost definitely be paying an extra fee. In the same vein, ask the cost of having them pack your stuff up. While it will almost always be cheaper for you to pack your stuff into boxes yourself, sometimes it is worth having the movers pack, because then they are aware of what’s in what box and how to best put it all in the truck.
 
Check their Equipment
A huge red flag is when a moving company does not own their own equipment, such as a moving truck. If they are renting their equipment, it would be a good idea to look elsewhere because either this company is not very professional, or it is a scam all together.
 
At the end of the day, you should pick the moving company you get the best feel for. Multiple companies may seem appealing, so it will ultimately come down to your decision and who seems like they will get the job done safely and in a timely manner.