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How to Hire a Moving Company When Relocating Across the Country

Posted in How-to on December 19, 2022

Like the vast majority of Americans, you undoubtedly fear the thought of relocating across state lines. Relocating may be stressful and time-consuming because you have to pack and move all of your stuff. But, if you hire a moving company, you can avoid some of the stress associated with the process. Continue reading if you’re curious about the many benefits of hiring a professional mover.

The first step of this process is research because it will help you avoid potential scams. When you learn how to recognize the red flags and how to avoid mistakes, you can proceed with obtaining more than three quotes and comparing them. Ensure that the chosen relocation crew offers all the services you need, and don’t wait until the last minute to book them.

Why Should You Hire a Moving Company?

Hiring cross-country movers is the typical first advice that can be found in every quality relocation guide. Professional assistance can make the moving cross country much easier and quicker, regardless of whether this is your first time relocating or you already have some experience with it.

A qualified relocation crew can show you incredible time-saving tricks and advise you on how to avoid making rookie relocation mistakes. You can have a stress-free move if you know that trained specialists are there to assist you with everything on your to-do list. The only thing that really matters is finding out what you need to do before hiring long-distance movers, you can leave everything else to them.

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A Good and Thorough Research Is Half the Job

When you’ve decided it’s time to move and settled on the specifics of your relocation, start researching movers. You’ll want to choose a team that not only has positive reviews but also provides all the cross-country moving services you require at a price that fits your budget.

Check the availability and service options of the top-rated companies you find. Instead of just reading customer reviews that companies share on their websites, find comments on other websites because company-shared reviews are always cherry-picked and don’t always reflect the actual situation. Keep an eye out for both positive and negative feedback to get the whole picture.

For those who enjoy reading customer evaluations, here are a few warning signs to keep in mind:

  • Numerous damages,
  • Subsequent fees,
  • Unforeseen holdups,
  • Companies asking for extra money.

There will always be a few people who are unhappy with the service they received from a particular relocation company, but you should take their opinions with a grain of salt. It’s encouraging if the vast majority of comments about a business are positive rather than negative. One should probably avoid a business if the vast bulk of its customers complains about it.

Avoid Companies That Change Their Name Frequently

Companies that operate under a couple of different names can sidestep BBB ratings. Make sure there is a physical location listed, as well as contact information, proof of insurance, and license. Anyone answering the phone for them must state the whole company name.

Look up the company’s state and federal licensing numbers, as well as any other names under which it operates. Check whether the company has any online complaints. Call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration if you want to find out any additional information about the company.

Check Their Licenses and Insurance

In order to operate vehicles used by long-distance moving businesses, personnel almost always need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The work of loading up those vehicles with your goods, many of which are pricey, sentimental, or both, falls to the movers. Because of the inherent risks involved, businesses must be adequately regulated and insured.

Professional movers must be insured and licensed to operate within the law, regardless of the state in which they are based. When a business is bonded, it has gone one step further in protecting its clients by acquiring an extra layer of insurance. You can ask the mover directly or use a third-party service like the Better Business Bureau to confirm that they are properly insured.

Read BBB Ratings and Reviews

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit organization that provides reviews and ratings for businesses. BBB accreditation indicates that the company is committed to providing quality customer service, following ethical practices, and promoting integrity in the industry.

When it comes to choosing a mover, it’s important to evaluate the reviews and ratings provided by the BBB. This can help you understand better how trustworthy the company is and whether or not they are reputable.

Obtain Multiple Quotes and Compare Them

When you are selecting a relocation crew, it is essential that you obtain at least three quotes from different companies. Different providers may offer different prices, as well as services and features that can save you time and money on your move. Comparing multiple quotes is one of the most useful relocation hacks that will allow you to find the best possible deal for your needs.

The best way to find the best deal on services is to gather estimates from multiple companies before making a final decision. In order to save you time and money, some businesses provide estimates over the phone. However, until you file a full inventory list or have an in-home evaluation of your things, you won’t know the actual cost of your relocation. Still, a rough guess can give you a good indication of what to expect.

Beware of Some Extra Fees You Might Have to Pay

Do you currently reside in or plan to relocate to a new home with more than one floor? Need help with a move to or from the tenth floor? If so, expect to pay more because the movers will have to use elevators and stairs. Have a street so narrow that a relocation truck can’t pass through it? Be careful to talk with your chosen movers about these and many other things that could lead to additional charges.

Avoid Signings Blank Contracts

The signing of a blank contract should be avoided at all costs because it’s one of the red flags of a relocation scam. Make sure you have everything written down. Dates of pick up and delivery should be included, as well as the mover’s estimate and any additional fees.

Make sure your items are all accounted for by reading the contract carefully. Your laptop and other electronics packed will not be in the box when the crew comes unless they are listed on the inventory list sent and approved prior to the big day. Anything that’s not included on the inventory list cannot be handled by the crew.

A woman talking on the phone
Ensure you have more quotes so you can compare them and choose the best one

Ask About the Moving Services They Offer and Understand Whether They Suit Your Needs

You may avoid the hassle of organizing packing, loading, and unloading by hiring professional movers to do the job for you. Most companies will also disassemble, wrap, and reassemble your furniture as a part of a standard packing service. In addition, many cross-country movers provide the option of having them pack (or unpack) everything, as well as the car shipping option.

Make sure to get a detailed list of the services they offer so you can compare them with others and decide which ones are the best for your move. If you fit into any of the following categories, movers are your best bet, but they will cost you more.

  • Time is of the essence right now,
  • There is a lot of stuff that has to be relocated,
  • The distance between your current and future locations is significant,
  • You have a lot of priceless items that require special handling.

Check With the Relocation Crew Which Additional Services They Offer

When you’re negotiating with professionals, additional help with relocation is offered on an as-needed basis. These features are less popular in do-it-yourself moves, but they are still offered by most relocation companies. If any of these additional services are necessary for the successful completion of the move, make sure to ask about them beforehand to ensure that the business provides them.

  • Full-packing is usually an advanced option for packing specialty items (for example, if there’s a valuable family heirloom or any other fragile item that needs extra protection).
  • Antiques and other precious items, such as mirrors and artwork, often require special custom crating because they cannot be packed in standard boxes.
  • Partial pack is a great option in case you want professional help for only a part of your inventory while everything else is taken care of by you.

Although this additional help will probably be needed in many cases, you need to consider your relocation budget first. As their name says, these services are additional, and you’ll have to invest additional money to get them. However, this way, you can make sure that all of your needs are being taken care of. By being aware of the additional services available and turning them to your advantage, you can be prepared to handle whatever comes up during your move.

Professional mover carrying a container with fragile objects
The additional assistance will require more money

Don’t Wait the Last Minute and Book Your Move on Time

You can schedule your relocation as soon as you’ve done your homework and decided on a relocation crew to hire. Estimates can be scheduled online at most businesses, but actual appointments are typically made over the phone.

You shouldn’t move at the last minute, so pick the best time of the year to move timely. For example, if relocating in the summer, it’s more likely you won’t have as many options to pick your relocation dates as you would if relocating in winter. The reason is quite simple – spring and summer are peak periods when most people decide to move.

A woman surrounded by boxes before moving across the country
Pick wisely the time of your move and book movers on time

Find the Best Relocation Crew When Changing Homes and Moving Across the Country

Dealing with all tasks necessary to have a successful relocation can be just too much to do on your own, which is why having a trustworthy relocation team by your side is essential. However, finding the right people to help with such a major undertaking can be difficult. That is why it is important to research and ensure that you get the best possible assistance for your move.

Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.

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