How To Pick A Reliable Moving Company

Good help is hard to come by, especially when it comes to moving. There are so many horror stories like boxes going missing, companies holding your things hostage, or even movers taking your money and never showing up.

Trusting companies to do their job is something we deal with every day, but it’s a little freakier when it involves everything you own going on a cross-country trip.

To help make your life easier and mitigate the risk of hiring movers, we compiled an actionable guide so you can weed out any dirty players when searching for reliable movers.

A great starting point for finding reliable movers is to ask friends and family for referrals.

You won't have to waste any time searching for yourself, especially if they had a great experience.

Another source for referrals could be your coworkers.

However, you may want to think twice if it is coming from somebody you don’t respect. Make sure the referral comes from someone with trustworthy judgment.

You won’t be able to tell how reliable a moving company is based on their website alone.

Finding the right company for you will take some digging, but it will be well worth it.

We recommend getting at least three estimates before you make a decision.

And never accept an estimate as valid if they do not do an in-person consultation.

You can check online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Angie’s List.

Make sure to read both positive and negative reviews and try to gauge the quality of service.

One thing to look out for is professionalism in the replies.

If their replies sound more defensive than professional and forthcoming, you are likely to experience that same level of attitude yourself.

Avoiding any weirdness or red flags will save you in the long run.

Here are a few to look out for:

• No Physical Address: A legitimate company will always have a physical address and easy-to-find contact details.
• Missing a License or Insurance: Any reputable business will be licensed and insured to protect your belongings during a move. Always check for a USDOT number (required for interstate movers) and for insurance coverage.
• Requesting a Large Deposit: A telltale sign of a shady operation will be large amounts of money upfront. Small deposits are common for securing dates to avoid last-minute back-outs, but a large sum of money is unnecessary.
• Low Pricing: It is likely that if the price is significantly lower than other movers in your area, it is too good to be true. These scams will undoubtedly want some form of cash up-front.
• Rushed Agreements: If the moving company seems a little eager to get things signed and you are still left with questions, or if they want you to sign a quote before seeing your belongings, consider this a huge red flag.
• No In-Home Inspection: Trustworthy movers will want to perform a detailed inspection of your home and belongings before providing a quote. Be wary of any online or over-the-phone quotes.

A reputable company will have a clear plan and pricing for your move laid out ahead of time.

A common scam is to demand extra payment during or after the move for costs not originally discussed.

Make sure to ask about any extra fees beforehand and try to get some type of signed estimate.

Typical Extra Moving Fees:

• Packing and Unpacking
• Stairs Fee
• Long Carry Fee
• Elevator Fee
• Storage Fee
• Heavy Item Fee
• Disassembly/Reassembly Fee
• Express Delivery
• Narrow Street Fee
• Fuel Charges
• Special Handling

Although these charges are not all totally unreasonable, it is best to discuss them upfront so you do not experience any surprise costs.

Something commonly overlooked is if you are receiving a quote from the actual company, or a broker.

Often times the broker can promise you pricing that does not align with what the moving company charges.

Make sure to ask if you are dealing with a broker and double-check the estimate to see if the moving company is the same as who is quoting your move.

The best advice we can give is to go with your gut. If something seems off or fishy, it’s worth it to keep looking for trustworthy movers.

The risks involved in working with shady movers are much higher than the time it takes to research. Always remember not to pay a deposit for online or over-the-phone quotes.

iMoving is your one-stop shop for finding reliable movers near you. Check us out and get an estimate today!