According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 8 million people in the United States moved between states in the last year. There is a significant 20% increase in the number of movers compared to previous years.
So, it is essential to know how to choose a moving company. Especially if you are one of the thousands of families that are planning a relocation in the next few months.
Otherwise, you could lose a lot of time and money if you are unprepared for your move right from the start. Here is everything you should know about choosing a moving company and how to transport your entire life without falling apart.
Do You Need a Reliable Moving Company?
Before knowing how to choose a moving company, you should ask yourself if you need to hire someone to help you relocate. One of the first choices people need help to make is whether they can do everything by themselves or if they should hire a team of professionals.
If you are one of those DIY gurus who want to take on the massive ordeal, consider how much time and effort you need to complete the job.
Then you need to assess all the various risks associated with relocating. For instance, if you have a lot of expensive antique furniture or paintings, you want to avoid your teenage nephew being in charge of all the heavy lifting.
There are many reasons to hire professional movers, even if you have a few things. Remember that even shifting some boxes will be hard work and time-consuming.
Moving around large furniture and hefty appliances can be highly challenging if you do not have the right equipment and skills. Hiring the best moving company will help you avoid a lot of hardship and injuries.
It is always best to let professionals take care of all your valuables. Then they can ensure that all your possessions are packed and loaded securely to avoid getting knocked around in the back of the truck.
Moving to Another State
Another way to decide if you need to hire a moving company or not is by analyzing the distance of the move. If you are moving across state lines or planning a long-distance move, hiring professionals to do the job right is much more beneficial.
This is because there are many things to do before moving to a new house in a new state. For example, if you have sold your old house and are moving into a new property in a different state, you must consider the items you take across state lines.
These will be regulated by the federal government and monitored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
By hiring professional movers, you can benefit by working with a company that strictly adheres to FMCSA regulations. These can be tricky to navigate without a professional moving company to guide you.
Otherwise, you will have to deal with many restrictions on the importation of plants from outside borders. There can also be other regulations that can delay your move.
A moving company will also have a realistic timeline for getting your items safely to your destination. Instead of taking on a massive undertaking and stressing yourself out, you can let the professionals do the entire process.
Then you do not have to take the time to research everything yourself. This can be lifesaving for many families working full time and juggling kids without any free time to pack and ship their entire homes.
Packing Support
Do you dread organizing all your belongings to pack into boxes and load onto a truck? This is where professional movers can come to the rescue. They can offer a range of services that involve packing up all your belongings and loading them carefully onto the vehicle.
Imagine how much easier everything would be if you did not have to sort through and wrap everything yourself. Even if you choose to pack your own items, think about the stress you will have on the other side when you need to unpack everything again.
This is where many people underestimate the effort and time it takes to pack and unpack everything. It is also necessary to ensure everything is wrapped and safe throughout the journey.
Whether you work with professional movers or not, the last thing you want is to arrive at your destination and realize that your family heirloom grand piano is now in multiple pieces. The best way to organize everything is by purging your items first.
This is where you should donate or sell things you plan to avoid taking during the move. Then you will feel like packing is much more manageable than you thought.
When you start packing, always label every box. This way, your movers will know which ones to load first and which boxes you will need as soon as you arrive.
Labeling boxes is an excellent way to remember where you have stored things.
For example, if you have boxes labeled as kitchen, you can unpack these items immediately if you want to prepare a meal in your new home. If you do not label boxes, you will spend all night sifting through everything to find utensils.
How to Choose a Moving Company?
Working with a reliable moving company is a surefire way of keeping your heavy and fragile items safe during transit. Otherwise, you may be surprised at your destination, where things may be missing or broken altogether.
It is worth investing in a professional moving company if you have high-value items like collectibles, artwork, and antiques. They can guarantee that all your things will be handled and transported safely throughout the moving process.
Research Local Moving Companies
Do you want to find the best moving company to handle your valuable items? This is where it becomes necessary to do some research online. You can judge how good a moving company is when you read reviews and comments from past homeowners.
By conducting thorough research regarding moving companies in your area, you are setting yourself up for success. This is because anyone who owns a truck can become a mover, especially if they also know how to design a website.
However, relocation requires a lot of skill, resources, time, and knowledge. Without these, you can expect to end up with an amateur. They may forget to wrap some valuable vases that can end up in several broken pieces by the time you arrive at your destination.
If you want to ensure your relocation goes smoothly, you should always look for reputable companies. They must have a proven track record of providing the best quality relocation services.
When you check a moving company’s website and read their reviews, you will feel confident hiring them to give you a hand with all the heavy lifting.
Obtain Detailed Quotes
After doing your research and narrowing down the relocation company you want to work with, you should always ask for a detailed quote. This way, you can avoid last-minute surprises or price hikes by discussing everything before a single item is removed from your home.
When you reach out to the moving company for a quote, you should give them as much information as possible. Ensure to include all the details, or else they may need to add extra charges later if you are unclear.
Right from the start, you should always mention everything you need help with. This way, the moving company’s detailed quote can include all the required services like storage solutions, unloading, packing, loading, and transportation.
If you have other needs while moving out of state, your moving company can go over all the extra steps needed so they can take care of the entire process for you.
This way, you can determine fair pricing and labor from the beginning of the move instead of allowing for unexpected surprises at the end.
During the time you get the quote, you should keep an eye out for any red flags. Remember that the best moving company will always be transparent about their quotes. This way, they can help clients understand why they are being charged the quoted amount.
Insurance Coverage
The most reliable moving company will have strong insurance coverage to give their clients the peace of mind they deserve. Always ensure that your chosen moving company provides adequate insurance to protect all your valuable belongings during the shift.
When selecting the best moving company, you should ask about the insurance policies and everything that is covered.
Remember that moving can be risky. You need the right skills to wrap, pack, and tie down all your items correctly so that they do not bump into each other and break during the move.
However, accidents can happen no matter how well you are prepared. So, it is worth working with a company with enough coverage to protect your possessions from the start to the end of the relocation journey.
Level of Experience
One of the best reasons to work with a top moving company is their level of expertise and experience. When you opt for a relocation company with years of industry experience, you guarantee a successful move.
It is worth noting that moving many items over a long distance can be tricky. There are a lot of fragile and valuable things that can get damaged on the road. So, it is worth working with experts who have done this line of work for a long time.
Never be afraid to reach out to your movers and ask them about their history with previous homeowners. Did they manage to get everybody’s items from point A to point B without a scratch?
The most experienced movers will also be equipped to handle large and heavy furniture items without breaking their backs. It is always recommended that residents do not risk carrying anything that they cannot handle.
After the relocation, you do not want to spend more money on medical bills. Let your professional movers do all the hard work while you kick back and relax while thinking about the gorgeous new wallpaper designs you have ready for your new living room.
Attention to Detail
Finally, the best way to choose a reliable moving company is by asking them about the extras they do for their clients. Do they always pay enough attention to detail to protect all your belongings better than their competitors?
The best moving company will have a team of experts that come to your home and do a quick survey before providing an estimate. This is because they will accurately assess the weight and volume of all your belongings in person.
Then you can expect to get the most precise quote. Your movers will also carefully analyze all your items and develop the safest ways to pack and move them.
For example, if you have expensive wine glasses or large paintings you want to take with you, your professional mover should have some creative ideas to give you the peace of mind you deserve.
The last thing you want is a mover who does not anticipate which items to load first on the truck or if they forget something. Remember that you deserve the best service to ensure that all your family’s belongings and valuables make it to your new home safely and soundly.
Always consider your specific requirements and check if the moving company you want to work with offers additional services and a keen eye for detail. They must display utmost care when handling fragile items to ensure nothing breaks your heart.
Choose the Best Moving Company Today
Now that you know how to choose a moving company, it is time to reach out to find out more about specialized handling, packing, and storage options.
Research extensively, gather detailed quotes, and check a company’s insurance coverage.
Then you can be sure that all your items will arrive safely at your destination. Contact us today, and we can help you plan a successful relocation from start to finish.