by Charlie Morris, Certified Moving Consultant
Relocation.com
Relocation.com
Obtaining the services of an accountable, trustworthy mover requires research on the part of the consumer, but the reward pays off -- a high-quality move with minimal stress. There are many ways you can assess whether the company you select to handle your move to a new home is the best one. Here are 10 ways to seek out qualified, trustworthy moving companies.
1. Chose a mover with local representation. Always work with a company that is locally based or has a local agent; only use a mover that does an “in-home” visual survey of the items you want to move. Avoid booking your move with an Internet based moving broker. Most of them hand your move over to a different company -- a company you know nothing about.
2. Make sure your mover is licensed. If you are moving within the state, make sure the mover you choose is licensed. If you are moving to another state, make sure the mover is licensed by the Federal Department of Transportation. Check with the website: <http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm>. Don't take the company's word for it; call the regulatory agency and find out for yourself. Many companies affiliated with a national van line use the van line’s license and insurance when doing interstate moves; this is fine.
3. Check with the Better Business Bureau <http://www.bbb.org/bbblookup> regarding numerous unresolved complaints about a mover. A responsible mover will have few complaints filed against them; the more moves a company handles and the larger the population in their market area, the more likely it is that they will have complaints on file. Check to see that the company’s record with the Better Business shows satisfactory ratings and that the company has responded to and resolved complaints in the past.
4. Be sure the mover carries proper insurance. Ask your potential mover if they carry Workers' Compensation Insurance. If you have doubts, ask to see "proof of insurance" in the form of an "Insurance Certificate" issued by their insurance carrier. Without Workers Compensation Insurance, you are liable for anyone hurt on your premises. Workers' Compensation Insurance substantially adds to the mover’s cost of doing business, but the protects you if someone is injured during your move.
Ask the mover about protection on the items you are moving.
5. Make sure the mover's place of business actually exists. Beware of companies that do not provide business address on their Website, do not have business documents, or, when asked, are hesitant to provide you with their physical business address. It is important you know where to find the company after the move, if you have a problem. Again, if you choose a mover with local representation, this will not be a concern; the locally based mover has their reputation at stake with every move they do.
Also, you may want to check out the facility. Observing their facility will tell you about the quality of service you can expect to receive from a particular moving company.
6. Don't listen to sales people who criticize other companies. A high-quality firm with a good reputation does not need to knock their local competition or criticize another van line with the intent of making their own company appear better.
7. Get a recommendation. A satisfied customer is the best sales pitch any company can ask for. Ask what local companies the mover does business with on a regular basis. You can ask for references, but they are often not too dependable. What company will give you the name and contact information of an unhappy customer?
7. Get a recommendation. A satisfied customer is the best sales pitch any company can ask for. Ask what local companies the mover does business with on a regular basis. You can ask for references, but they are often not too dependable. What company will give you the name and contact information of an unhappy customer?
8. Make sure your bid is ‘in the ballpark.’ While it’s important to get a good price for your move, you should treat any curiously low bid with a skeptical eye - why is the mover charging so little? Are they cutting costs in a way that could be bad for you (skimping on Workers’ Comp insurance, for example)? Or do they plan to make up for the low bid by hitting you with hidden charges later?
9. Check the mover’s credentials. Is the moving company a member of an industry trade association, such as a state association for moving companies or the American Moving & Storage Association? Are their salespeople Certified Moving Consultants? Are their moving crews certified? What training programs do they have for their packers, drivers, and moving helpers? A reputable company is usually involved in one or more of these types of moving industry groups and have some type of structured training program for their staff.
10. Understand pricing. Do they charge hourly or by weight? The moving charges for most local moves are based on the time it takes to complete the move. Charges on other moves going further distances within a particular state are often calculated based on the weight of the shipment. Again, the rules will vary from one state to another.
11. Get the right documentation. If you are moving to another state, insist that you receive the following federally mandated documents from your mover:
* Ask for a written estimate that itemizes all of the services that make up the estimate for your total moving costs. Again, always insist on an “in-home” visual inspection of the goods you are moving. A phone or Internet estimate given by a mover will most likely NOT be the actual cost of your move. For the best protection get a guaranteed price or “Not-To-Exceed” price when moving interstate.
* A "Table of Measurements" (also known as a "Cube Sheet") listing all of the items that you will be moving (pieces of furniture, number of boxes, etc.). The mover creates the Table of Measurements in order to calculate the size and weight of your move.
*You should receive an "Order for Service" signed by your selected moving company. The Order for Service protects you by detailing the agreement between you and your mover regarding the dates the shipment will be loaded and delivered, the estimated cost, and the fact that the mover can only collect 110% of the estimate at the time of delivery, if your quote is non-binding.
If the mover is hesitant to provide you with any of these items, you should reconsider using that company:
I urge you to spend a little extra time to assure that you locate one of the many quality minded licensed moving and storage professionals operating in our industry. Hiring a trustworthy mover eases the stress of the entire moving process. At Relocation.com, we make the moving process easier for you -- only licensed and insured movers can be a part of the Relocation.com network of quality moving companies.
-- This article was written in collaboration with Chris Noblit
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