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Relocating to a new house necessitates making numerous decisions in a short period. From choosing the best supplies to deciding on the ideal moving date, the list of must-dos can quickly become overwhelming. The most vital relocation decision is also the most difficult: selecting the appropriate moving company. There are thousands of local and nationwide moving firms throughout the country, so you won’t be short of options. When interviewing moving firms for a job, it’s critical to know what questions to ask. These are five questions to consider before choosing a moving company to identify one that best meets your needs.
Are you duly licensed?
To avoid moving scams and rogue movers, always inquire if the moving firm is fully licensed. All professional interstate moving companies must have a United States Department of Transportation license number (USDOT). Online, you can look up their license number and complaint history with USDOT. Local movers, on the other hand, that exclusively relocate customers within the same state, are governed by the state, not the US Department of Transportation. As a result, state licensing is required for local movers. It’s crucial to remember that each state has its unique set of moving laws and licensing requirements.
Of course, if you choose a reputable moving business from our network, you won’t have to ask this question. Every professional moving business with whom we engage must be licensed and insured.
Do you have any prior experience with my particular move?
Ask the moving company about their experience with the type of relocation you are planning. For example, if you’re moving to a high-rise apartment complex, a townhome with numerous storeys (and steps), or to a huge metropolis, you should ask the moving company if they’ve done anything like this before. Moving companies should be prepared for anything, including limited parking, steep stairs, a lack of elevators, and tight doorways.
What types of liability coverage does your organization offer?
When handing over your items, check to be sure they are insured in case of an accident during the relocation. Whether you’re moving across town or across the nation, your professional moving company should provide you with a variety of liability coverage alternatives. Liability coverage must be provided by licensed interstate movers in two forms: full value protection and released value. These alternatives are defined by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Agency) as follows:
“Your mover is accountable for the replacement value of lost or damaged products in your entire cargo,” according to Full Value Protection. This is the most complete plan available for your items’ security.” The price of Complete Value Protection varies depending on the mover.
Consumers can also acquire insurance from a third-party insurance company. But, before getting insurance, the FMCSA suggests double-checking your homeowners’ insurance coverage to ensure you aren’t already covered.
In addition to liability coverage options, you should request proof of insurance from a moving firm. When questioned, every respectable, licensed moving business should be able to show you its insurance policy.
Do you have any recommendations?
You wouldn’t hire a worker without verifying their references, so why would you choose a moving company without doing the same? Get recommendations before entrusting your things to a moving firm. A moving business representative should be able to supply you with all of the information you require when prompted.
Of course, it is always your responsibility to complete your homework. Consider asking friends and neighbors for suggestions while looking for a moving firm. Even in this day and age, word-of-mouth is still one of the most dependable ways to identify a reputable mover.
Check the moving company’s web reviews and ratings as well. Our Moving Company Directory provides customer reviews for over 600 movers around the US. The ratings also contain the movers’ USDOT numbers. Better Business Bureau rating. Any official complaints filed with the FMCSA, and whether the movers are members of the American Moving & Storage Association.
Can you provide a binding quote or an estimate that will not be exceeded?
Don’t let your bill give you any unpleasant shocks. Many movers provide non-binding estimates, which means the projected cost of your move is subject to alteration based on actual costs. This could be beneficial or detrimental. You may wind up paying more than the original estimate if your relocation requires more man-hours or is heavier than originally predicted. If you don’t, you might get lucky and end up spending less.
Do you prefer to know exactly how much you’ll owe ahead of time? Using a moving company that provides a contractual quotation is therefore the preferable alternative. A binding written estimate guarantees that the cost of your move will not surpass the original cost estimate. Add-ons and additional charges should be included in the binding estimate. While starting your moving company search, make sure to ask if the organization provides consumers with binding written estimates. All extras and services, such as stairs and travel time, should be included and clearly stated in the estimate.
Some essential questions to ask movers
While the five questions listed above are vitally necessary to ask moving firms, they are not the only ones. Here are some additional questions you should ask movers to guarantee you pick the best moving company.
How long will the relocation take? – Most long-distance moves take between seven and ten days. Local moves are normally completed in a single day. Inquire with the mover about the estimated time it will take to send your items. Inquire if they also provide guaranteed delivery dates.
What types of moving services do you provide? – Does the mover provide the services you require? Do you, for example, require packing assistance, specialty item relocation, or expedited shipping? Make sure to inquire about the precise services you require.
Are you a broker or a carrier? This is vital if you are concerned about a broker selling your things to another company. A broker arranges for the transportation of your consignment via for-hire carriers. A carrier manages the transportation from start to finish.
What are your procedures for dealing with disputes and damages? – Inquire about the company’s claims procedure to ensure it is as straightforward as possible.
How can I reach you and the driver throughout the relocation? – Does the moving firm give a way to contact the driver while the move is in progress? Inquire about how this procedure works.
Do you provide tracking for shipments? – This is a critical question to ask a cross-country mover. Many movers provide online shipment tracking.
Will my possessions be handed on to a third party along the way? Do you outsource your moves? – Shipments are frequently transferred to other carriers through brokers. Contract movers are frequently used by moving companies. We advise avoiding moving businesses that subcontract work to non-employee movers.
What additional moving items will I need to purchase? The price should be as straightforward as possible. Ask about everything you’ll be paying for, including packing services, moving supplies, labor rates, and more, to ensure there are no surprises or hidden fees.
Is there a cancellation policy? – If you cancel a move reservation, certain movers may charge you a fee. Some may allow you to cancel a relocation up to two weeks in advance without penalty. Make sure to inquire about the moving company’s cancellation policy.
What kinds of payment do you accept? – Movers should not charge you for the relocation in advance. If the mover requests full payment in advance, this is a red flag. The majority of movers accept cash, checks, and credit cards.
Do you provide any discounts? – Many moving companies provide discounts to qualified customers. Discounts for AAA members, military personnel, and students are common.
Is there anything I can’t bring or how I can’t bring it? – Every mover should be able to supply you with a list of prohibited items.
Will you pack special things like televisions and electronics? – Most movers can pack specialty items. Nonetheless, just in case, we recommend double-checking that they have the necessary materials, equipment, and experience.
Do you offer storage? – If you require storage before, during, or after your relocation, be sure to inquire with the moving company. Several interstate movers provide consumers with short-term and long-term storage alternatives.
How do you determine your prices? When getting a moving company quote, make sure to inquire about how they determine their pricing. Interstate movers often charge based on the weight of the shipment and have a defined pricing per pound (among other factors). Local movers often bill by the hour or provide a set rate for the move.
Additional tips for interviewing movers
One method to ensure you choose the proper movers is to ask the appropriate questions. Here are a few other factors to keep in mind when interviewing movers for the job.
Get at least three relocation quotes from different moving companies – To determine whether the moving company’s charges are competitive, compare multiple moving quotes. If one quote is significantly lower or higher than the rest, this could be a red indicator.
Prepare your questions – When interviewing a moving firm, print out these questions and have them ready. We recommend emphasizing the ones that are most crucial and pertinent to your relocation.
Examine your budget ahead of time – Knowing what you can afford before getting moving quotes is a good idea. If you’re on a limited budget, full-service moving company alternatives such as a moving container or renting a moving truck may be necessary. Both of these alternatives are less expensive than hiring a full-service mover.
Be cautious of red flags – Before interviewing a moving firm, be aware of frequent red signs. This will make it easier to identify them. A too-good-to-be-true estimate, a lack of necessary licensure or insurance, a lack of references, poor reviews and unfavorable complaints, an unprofessional manner and disrespectful behavior, unmarked trucks, and a demand for money in advance are all common red flags.
Learn your moving rights and responsibilities – Knowing your moving rights and responsibilities can help you understand your responsibilities while hiring movers. Before interviewing movers, we urge that you read the FMCSA document (link in Sources). It should assist you in comprehending the terms of your moving contract, any moving documentation you must sign, how to address problems with a mover, and the definitions of specific moving phrases.
Examine the feedback – When interviewing a mover, look at online reviews, BBB ratings, and complaint history. If a moving business has a history of negative ratings, you should search elsewhere. It’s also a good idea to ask friends and neighbors whether they have any experience with a certain moving company. Another wonderful strategy to discover a mover is to ask reputable sources for moving company recommendations.
Conclusion
You should know what questions to ask moving firms before you start the interview process. Prepare a list of questions and be ready to conduct preliminary research on movers before hiring them. We’ve thankfully done some of the homework for you. Search our network of licensed and insured moving businesses to discover dependable movers. Our website allows you to compare moving services and rates from our extensive nationwide network of movers. We utilize an algorithm to match your relocation details with the most trustworthy and qualified movers for the job.
