Tips for hiring a reliable moving company

So, you finally decided to move. That is an amazing start, but keep in mind it is far more complex than you think. That, of course, does not mean you should call everything off, it just means you should prepare accordingly. There are many tasks at hand but it all gets easier after hiring a reliable moving company for the job. Finding a professional Chicago moving company is half the job done, but even that has to be done properly. With capable movers, you can leave all the moving matters in the hands of the pros, and focus on other important tasks.

The benefit of hiring a reliable moving company is that you won’t have to constantly check on them and waste time. Given the fact that there are plenty of moving scams around, selecting reputable movers is vital. Here, we’ll help you do just that.

Fraudulent companies can make your move a nightmare. From insurance scams to downright theft, danger looms at every corner. So, on your journey of hiring local movers Chicago, you need to take this into account, as well a few other things.

You need to know how to start looking for movers, but also where and when to start looking. Getting recommendations on solid movers, comparing the available companies, and most importantly deciding on the type of service you need. There are many factors to think of when hiring a reliable moving company, and we hope to make it a bit easier for you.

Start planning early

Many moving mistakes occur when you are working in haste due to the lack of time. Anyone who moved before knows this as a fact. When in the process of moving, time is precious, and often a luxury. It speeds by so fast and before you know it, the moving day is there. Planning on time can also greatly help, seeing as prices and services vary depending on the season. And that is when things can get complicated.

Do your research when hiring a reliable moving company

This is, logically, the first step when finding the moving company of your dreams. It can be approached from many different angles, and the more options you have, the better your chances are.

Ask the people you know

A great first step in your research. Word of mouth is often a great way of gathering that much-needed information. Americans move more than you think, so there are high chances that you know someone who has moved in the recent past.

Ask your friends, family, or coworkers about their experiences with movers. Some may be positive, some may be negative, but one thing is certain, they re all valuable. If none of them moved recently, they might know someone who did. It sounds complicated, but it really is not.

Check the local ads

Another good option and a fairly simple one is to look for movers in ads. This may be the simplest method for hiring a reliable moving company since all you need to do is buy a local newspaper and flip it open. The good thing about local ads is that, if you find two or three movers in the area, you can easily go and take a look at their offices. Talk directly to their sales representative, and book an in-house estimate.

Look for movers online

When it comes to finding a reputable mover, searching online is probably the best thing you can do. And it is not such a bad idea at all. Mainly because you can do it from the comforts of your living room, so it doesn’t require that much effort. It is also worth mentioning that this option is becoming safer and more viable over time. Sites such as the Better Business Bureau collect information and reviews of various moving companies and moderate for the appearance of fake online reviews.

Not only that, but you can compare movers by looking at their official websites. Customer reviews help a lot when making a decision. There will definitely be a mix of positive and negative feedback, which is normal. However, it is important to note that bad reviews don’t define a company, what’s important is how the company handles them.

Always ask for an in-house estimate when hiring a reliable moving company

This is the best tip someone can give you when it comes to selecting a moving company. Cost is an important factor in every move, so you need to know what you’re working with. Sometimes, over the phone estimates are a good way of getting a rough number for comparing. However, it doesn’t even come close to an in-house estimate.

With it, you will have an exact number since in-house estimates never vary and are always fixed. Not only that, but your mover will have an opportunity to see what they will work with. This is a great way to get to know your mover, and it will help them prepare for the move in terms of equipment and manpower.

Do your best to avoid moving scams

The moving industry has become a very competitive field in recent times, and everyone tries to stay on top of the game. Unfortunately, this resulted in a number of moving companies resorting to dishonorable methods of making money, with little regard to their customers. Some do petty insurance and hidden fee scams, while others go as big as stealing their patrons’ goods and disappearing. When hiring a reliable moving company, it’s important to protect your money and your items. Here are some of the things to look out for to avoid being scammed:

• License – Every reliable moving company should have a registration number issued by the US Department Of Transport. If a company doesn’t have a valid license, chances are, they are rogue.
• Overly positive reviews – If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some companies hire people to write good reviews about them on different sites, in order to raise their reputation. If suspicious profiles are praising the company too much, it’s best to walk away.
• Surprisingly low rates – Same as reviews. If it’s surprisingly low, there’s most likely a hidden fee waiting to pounce. A company should be totally transparent about all of their fees, including gas costs, packing services Chicago, and distance fees.
• Suspicious contracts – If a company persuades you that you don’t need a contract and that everything is fine, run. A solid contract protects both sides and should have everything written down, from fees to items. A blank or a partial contract is definitely a bad sign.