When it comes to moving, everyone knows that it can be a stressful experience. While it is true that you can't wait to get moved into your new house, you don't look forward to packing up your belongings, hauling them into a moving truck, and then driving across the country only to haul it all back out of the truck into your new house where you have to unpack it all. You also don't look forward to the possibility of movers breaking some of your stuff or losing some of your belongings. So what can you do to protect yourself during a move?
Tip #1: Do Your Homework
Many of the issues that can occur during the moving process can be prevented by simply doing a little bit of research beforehand. First, look for online reviews for movers—and actually read them.
Also, ask around to find out who has used who in the past. Referrals are your best friend when it comes to moving. Real estate agents are the know-it-alls in the housing industry, so they will be reliable sources for this type of information. Of course, you can always ask your friends, family, and colleagues as well.
Tip #2: Verifying Their Licensing and Check for Complaints
Take the time to thoroughly investigate the companies that you are considering do your moving. Interstate moving companies are required to be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If they are not, then this is a huge red flag.
There are sites online where you can find out if a moving company's licensing is current and if they have even had federal complaints filed against them. Complaints and reliability can also be checked online and locally with the Better Business Bureau.
Tip #3: Be Wary of the Lowball Bid
You have probably heard the term "you get what you paid for," and this couldn't any more true when it comes to moving companies. While you may want to get out as cheap as possible, the last thing that you want to do is accept a lowball offer and wind up having your personal belongings broken, lost, or something similar.
Get multiple estimates from several companies and weed out those low offers. As you go over the offers, don't just look at the price either—take into consideration the above tips like referrals, licensing, and complaints, as this will help you make your final decision.
