Choosing the Right Full Service Company
By Marissa Emery, Moving Consultant, Truck rental.com Staff
There are many different moving companies out there that would love to gain your business. Due to the fact that a move is so serious, it may be difficult for you to decide on one company over all of the others. This is why it is important to know what to look for in a good moving company so that you can see where one or two shine above all the others. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to find the company that will be perfect for you and your personal move.
Local Moving Companies
You can probably get the best information about local companies by talking to your friend, coworkers, and neighbors. They will be able to give you a good idea of who provided good service to them, as well as which companies that you should avoid and why. People love to share their experiences, so all you should need to do is ask
Long Distance Moving Companies
Long distance companies are not quite as easy to learn about. While they all have websites that invite you to use their services, your local contacts probably have not used many of them before. It is up to you to look online for moving reviews that outline the different companies that are out there before you make a list of who you should contact for more information.
All Moving Companies
Regardless of whether your move will be local or long distance, there are a few things that you need to check before you bother to contact any companies at all. These things can really make the difference between a good move and a disastrous one. Remember, moving companies want your business, so they may not be forthcoming about all of this information.
Checking Records
The first thing that you should check about any company is their ‘on time’ records. By seeing records and checking any references that they offer, you can make sure that this company does what it says it will do. There is no point in hiring a company who cannot pick up and deliver when it says it will do so. Remember, however, that there will always be that one person or time where something got messed up. Don’t expect any of the records to be absolutely perfect.
Call the Better Business Bureau
In order to see if there have been any problems with a given company, call the better business bureau. They will be able to provide you with any information about complaints that a certain company has gotten over a given time period. You want to stay away from companies that have multiple complaints over a short period of time.
Check the Legalities
All moving companies are bound by laws, and you should always make sure that the company that you choose is up to date on all licenses and certificates. You can verify a given company through the United States Department of Transportation, your state DOT agency, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. All of these organizations will be able to provide you with some information.
Make Sure of Coverage
It is vital that you verify what is covered and what is not before you hire a company. Remember that moving companies are bound by law as to how much coverage they can provide for your goods. You should always verify this coverage with the moving company and then set up additional coverage through your personal insurance company in order to cover a total loss.
Final Steps
When you have narrowed the list of companies down to a few, there are a few final steps you should take before choosing one. Always request a moving quote from the carriers. This will give you a good idea of the cost of your move, but beware of moving scams. It is best to enter into a binding estimate so that you do not end up with huge charges on the other side of your move. If a company is not willing to give you a binding estimate, choose a different company. Remember, it is better to be sure than to be unsure about any company that will be handling everything that you own.
