Moving can be very tedious, especially if you own a lot of
stuff. Packing up all of your things, renting a truck, loading the truck,
driving to the new place, and unloading everything... This is all very
time-consuming. As a result, many people choose to hire a moving company to do
all or part of it.
Unfortunately, although hiring a moving company can save you
a lot of time and stress, hiring the wrong moving company can add to it. To
protect yourself and your belongings, you will need to know how to choose a
moving company.
Here are a few things to consider when looking for a good
moving company.
1) How much of the
move do you want the moving company to handle?
The saying is that you can hire someone to do almost
anything for you - for a price. This is certainly true in this case. Many
people choose to box up all their belongings themselves, and hire movers to
load/unload the truck and transport everything. Some people, particularly if
they are moving cross-country, might rent a truck and hire movers to box
everything up and pack the truck, then do the driving themselves. Others hire
movers to do absolutely everything, from packing the boxes to unloading it all into
the proper rooms in the new house.
2) How much are you
budgeting for the move?
Of course, everything that you have the moving company do
will add to your bill. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to balance
quality and convenience against cost. This means that you might have to do some
of the work yourself, and hire movers who will just do the most difficult parts
- usually loading and driving the truck. Compare prices between moving
companies, and decide which will best suit your needs.
3) How far away are
you moving?
Long-distance moves affect two things when choosing a moving
company: the cost of the move, and the moving companies you have to choose
from. Some local companies may not be able to move you across state lines.
Also, for long-distance moves you will want to hire a moving company enough in
advance to ensure that they have availability.
4) Does the moving
company insure your belongings against damage or loss?
You have a lot of capital invested in your belongings. Think
how much money it would take to replace some or all of it if something were to
happen during the move. Would you even be able to?
Many moving companies will only reimburse a fraction of the
value of your belongings if something happens to them. Ask a moving company how
much they pay for lost or damaged belongings, and be sure to get a copy of this
policy in writing. If the moving company's policy doesn't provide enough
coverage, you may want to look into additional insurance.
5) What kind of
reputation does the moving company have?
We've all heard the horror stories of things turning up
missing or broken after the movers have unpacked the truck and left. Just as
you want your belongings protected from damage or loss, you also need to know
whether a moving company has a reputation for breaking or stealing things.
One way to research a moving company's reputation is to
search for their name online. Look for both complaints and follow-ups, since
how the company handled the complaint is at least as important as the complaint
itself. You should also check to see if the company is a member of the Better
Business Bureau. Although the BBB will attempt to mediate a conflict even if
the moving company is not a member, there is less incentive for a non-member to
work toward a resolution.
The length of time the company has been in business is also
a good indicator of reputation. Companies with bad reputations generally don't
stay in business for very long, so a company that has been around for a long
time would probably be a better choice than one that only started up recently.
6) Can the moving
company give you references?
A good moving company should be able to provide you with
references upon request. Do check these references, but also keep in mind that
just like individual, the moving company is likely to offer references that
they know will be positive.
Of course, by far the best reference you can get is a
referral from a friend or acquaintance. You are probably better off using a
moving company recommended by someone you know, rather than one you have never
heard of before.
7) Reputable
Pittsburgh Moving Companies
A reputable (Pittsburgh movers) moving company
will ask to visit your home to estimate the cost of your move. If you are
moving a home or office and the moving company says they do not need to visit
your home or office, chances are you will not receive an accurate estimate. If
they are not willing to invest the time to give you an accurate quote, why
would you select them to move you? By not taking an inventory and physically
seeing what you are moving - the responsibility for an accurate quote falls on
you, not the moving company because the quote will be based on the information
that you provide.
Another important point to consider is that a reputable
moving company will not ask for the full cost of the move to be paid in
advance, normally a small deposit is all that is required to secure your dates.
You should also be aware that federal regulations require
that a moving company provide you with a copy of "Your Rights and
Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, so be very cautious if you do not
receive this booklet.
A Pittsburgh moving company that is
not trying to take advantage of you will also provide information about
valuation and their licensing as well as their contact information. If any of
these things are not freely given, you have cause for concern.
Finally, be wary of any company that answers the phone with
a generic movers or moving company greeting. A trusted moving company such as Morganotown
Moving company will freely give you their name and all necessary
documentation to prove their legitimacy and earn your trust. On our website
you'll find information on what to expect throughout the moving process, an
organized plan for the weeks and days leading up to moving day and valuable
packing hints and reminders based on our many years of experience.
Final Tips for
Choosing a Moving Company
When you hire movers, you are putting a large part of your
life in someone else's hands. Things like furniture, clothing, and kitchenware
are expensive, but since we usually accumulate them over time, most people
don't realize how much money they have tied up in their household items until
they have to replace them all at once.
Since there is so much depending on having good movers,
knowing how to choose a moving company is important. Before you begin contact
moving companies for quotes, be sure to make a list of the questions you need
to ask. This will help you stay focused during the conversation.
Remember, your possessions are valuable, so be sure you find
a moving company you can trust!
For more visit our website: moving company
For more visit our website: moving company