It’s commonly accepted that moving home can be one of the most stressful events we can experience in our lives. While there’s the undoubted excitement of moving to a new place, there are still many things that can go wrong. Moreover, it’s often daunting trying to pack up all your belongings and entrust them to a third party.
Unless you decide to take the DIY approach, and opt to try and do the move yourself (not normally recommended), you’ll need to hire the services of a moving company. However, with so many around, it can often be hard to choose.
How to Choose the Right Moving Company for You
If you’re looking to move home, and have opted to use a moving company, below are some simple questions you should ask to ensure you get the most professional service possible.
Is the firm fully licensed? To have full peace of mind that your belongings are going to be safe in the move, you should only ever hire a fully licensed moving company. Licenses vary from country to country, and state to state, so check online to see what relevant documentation applies where you live.
Does the company have any relevant experience with your type of move? Again, this will vary depending on your circumstances and the type of move you’re making, but you should ask the company if they have handled that type of move before. For example, if you’re moving to a high-rise apartment, you should ensure the company is capable of handling furniture delivery, like Shiply, in that type of move. Or, if you’re moving to a busy city, ensure that they’re aware of any parking restrictions that might apply around your new home. Working with a firm that has experience will make things much easier when moving day arrives.
Be sure to check the firm’s website. You can learn a lot about a moving company just by checking their website. Not only should you find comprehensive information on previous moves they’ve handled, but you should also be able to get an idea of how much experience they have.
Can they supply references for moves performed for previous clients? A reputable firm should have no problem providing you with references from previous clients. Indeed, with so much competition in the home moving market, they should have them on their website.
What liability insurance does the company have? All moving companies should have at least some form of insurance that will cover you should the worst happen and they end up damaging your items. Again, this insurance will vary from country to country, but you should ensure they have adequate coverage. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen but, if they’re insured, at least you’ll be compensated.
Will the firm provide a binding quote or at least agree to a maximum fee? Many moving companies prefer to provide the bill for their work at the end of the job, which can often result in a few unpleasant surprises. If you want to avoid possibly being charged more than you expected, you should try to get them to give you a binding quote, or at least agree to a ‘not-to-exceed’ figure.
