So, you are about to move to a new home. You can’t just call the first moving company you see on the street, although they may be the right choice for your needs. However, the odds of that happening are slim. Besides, if something goes wrong with the move, well, you get the idea. This is why it is wise to do some research before committing the job to just any moving company you find. The type of move, how far away the new place is, how much has to go, and when the move has to take place are all factors that will influence what company is best for the job. In this article, we will take a look at what considerations need to be put into the decision and how to pick the company for your move.
Step #1 – Define What You Need
Before you start looking up moving companies, you need to have an idea of what the job entails. First, you need to set the guidelines in place for items that are non-negotiable such as dates and times for the move, where the move starts and ends, the size of the moving truck required, whether the move requires packing or just loading of pre-packed items, etc. These things will be so that the moving companies you contact can give you accurate quotes on their services. It will also help you to eliminate moving companies that are unable to meet your needs due to booking conflicts, lack of available vehicles, limited labor, or whatever the reason. Once you have a clear definition of the moving job, it also gives you a way to picture what all has to be done before the movers arrive.
Step #2 – Put Together A List of Movers
Here is where you can do a lot of research online and offline. Start by asking around in your circle of friends, co-workers, and acquaintances for recommendations of moving companies. Search online for “movers in (your city)” and also expand that search to include online directories such as industry membership lists, Chamber of Commerce membership lists, city business license lists, and anywhere else you think you will discover names of potential moving companies. You may also receive names through contacting local furniture stores, hardware stores, real estate offices, and anywhere else where a moving company would have a connection of some kind. You should have a list of well over a dozen company names to start with and that is a good way to start this exercise.
Step #3 – The First Short List Process
With your long list of company names, it is time to spend a while online seeking reviews and other details about each of the movers you are researching. Don’t let the odd bad review taint your research. What you should be looking for in reviews is things like: did the moving company do everything they said they would? Was the move conducted professionally from start to finish? Were there any problems and if so, how were they handled? Was the move completed within the set time frame and budget? Was everything delivered in the condition they were loaded in or was there a lot of damage? Does the company specialize in city or country moves? Would you recommend this company to others seeking a moving company? The answers to these questions will cut your list in half and narrow down your choices for more scrutiny.
Step #4 – Request Quotes For Your Short List
At this point, you should have five or six moving company names still on your list. One of the best ways to compare them is by requesting a quote for the move you have planned. If you followed the first step on this list correctly, you should have a complete outline of what your expectations are and what the move will require. There are several ways to reach out for a price including clicking on the “Get Quote” button on the company website, sending a fax request, emailing for a quote, stopping by the moving company office and leaving your details with someone, or picking up the phone and making the request. Regardless of how you contact each moving company, the quotes you receive will help you to narrow down your choices even further before your final decision is made.
Step #5 – Compare The Quotes Received
It is fair to say that you should see a bit of a variation in the prices you have. They won’t all be within $100 of each other, but they should be competitive. If there is an extremely high quote or an unexpectedly low one, it would be wise to follow up with each to find out why there is such a difference in pricing. The answer you receive will give you more information when you whittle down your list even further. Pay attention to the services each mover states will be part of your move and whether or not there are add-ons that can be attached. Ideally, you will want to choose a moving company that will do everything you need them to do with a single, all-inclusive price. The lowest price quote is not always the best, nor is the most expensive of the quotes.
Step #6 – Book Your Upcoming Move
Now is the time to choose the moving company you intend to use for your move. Confirm that your proposed moving dates can fit into their schedule, and set the date and time. There should be some paperwork for both sides to fill out, and you will likely have to answer some questions to help the moving company learn a bit more about what they will be doing for you. If part of the move includes them sending a crew to your residence to pre-pack things, now is the time for you to go home and start organizing that to speed up the process. If the moving company provides boxes and blankets, take advantage of these and put boxes in each room of your home and label them to make unloading and unpacking easier once your belongings reach your new destination.
Final Thoughts
It is not difficult to hire a moving company if you know how to do it. The list of steps above is designed to assist you will narrowing down a long list of potential movers to the one that can best do the job for you. If you know what you need, that makes the selection process easier as you basically just have to find the right fit.
—
Marina Turea works as content manager at Digital Authority Partners, a Las Vegas SEO agency.