Business
Residential Moving Companies Near Me: How To Choose the Right One
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 632,000 new homes changed hands during October 2022 alone, and existing home sales soared even higher.
Buying a home, or receiving a work promotion to a new branch of your company, are both joyful occasions until you realize you’ve got a residential move ahead of you.
If you’re in one of these situations, don’t put off searching for professional movers to help ease the load. The sooner you book your movers, the less stressful your move will be.
Here’s how to make the most of your search for ”residential moving companies near me”.
Get Input From Family and Friends
One way to find the best moving company is by asking around. If you know of anyone that’s recently undertaken a relocation, ask them if they can recommend a mover in the area.
First-hand information from someone you trust is a reliable source of unbiased and up-to-date information. If you don’t have any luck using this tactic, Plan B is to head over to the internet for the next best thing.
Search Online for ”Residential Moving Companies Near Me”
A simple online search for residential moving companies will reveal all the options closest to you. List their names and then search for online reviews regarding their services.
It’s best to find out what their customers are saying about them before you search any further. Pay attention to what their customers have to say, and take note of how the company responds to any complaints.
Do they respond quickly? Do they resolve any issues promptly? Does the reviewer seem like a difficult person to please?
Negative reviews aren’t always a bad sign, as long as the moving company acts swiftly to placate the customer.
Research Moving Companies’ Websites
While investigating online opinions about these services, remove those who fail to impress you from your list. Then, go back online and search for websites for each remaining one.
A company website can reveal much about the movers in question, such as:
Level of Professionalism
A company website serves as a modern-day shop window and should create a good first impression. Good websites look professional, are easy to use, and provide plenty of information about the company in question.
They feature up-to-date information as well as complete contact details for the moving company. Be sure to check for a brick-and-mortar address, it’s a sure sign you’re not dealing with a fly-by-night company.
Services Offered
Before you hire a moving company, it’s vital to make sure they offer all the services you require. These might include packing, transporting antiques and other valuables, or a long-distance move.
In some cases, you may find prices for their services listed on their website, too. You can also compare the costs for these moving options using an online comparison engine.
More About The Company
Additional information listed on a company’s website might include its history, as well as the experience levels, and qualifications of its team. They might list some more customer reviews and accolades awarded to them.
This is where you get to compare large moving franchises with local movers, too.
Work With a Licensed and Insured Company
All movers in the USA require a business license as well as a U.S. Department of Transportation number to operate anywhere within the country. They also require different licenses per state.
So, if you’re planning an interstate move, you must check if they’re licensed to work in both locations.
All movers must offer their customers two types of insurance, namely:
- Released Value Protection
- Full-Value Protection
Apart from the regular insurance offered to customers, moving companies should have third-party liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
Arrange an Interview with the Moving Company
There’s a good chance you won’t find all the above information using the sources available to you. Meeting with the movers is the best way to get all the details you need and gauge whether they’re a good fit for you.
During this interaction, you should ask to see proof of their licenses and insurance. You should also ask a few questions related to their service, i.e.:
- What time will you arrive at my home?
- How long will the move take?
- Who will supervise the proceedings?
- How big is your team?
- Are there any items you can’t move?
Finally, ask them if they’re willing to provide references from previous customers. These can help you resolve any niggling issues you may have.
Most companies will have a list of references. If they don’t, you should view this as a red flag.
Compare Prices
After all your investigations, you should narrow your options down to the three moving companies that impressed you most. Ask them to provide a quotation for your move.
They should visit your home and walk through all the rooms to provide an accurate estimate of the costs.
Never choose the cheapest quotation at face value. Go through every inch of the fine print to uncover any hidden costs, first. If you have any questions, ask the moving company to explain.
Finally, you should discuss payment terms with the mover and make sure you understand what’s expected of you during the move.
Your Move
Moving to a new home needn’t become stressful with a little planning and the right team on your side.
Keep this checklist close at hand during your search for residential moving companies near me, and you’re bound to find the perfect match for your location and your needs.
Would you like some more helpful tips to help ensure smooth sailing during challenging times? Browse our blog for all the best information.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
