Moving long distance is very different from moving within your area or state. There are additional requirements that movers need to meet and the extra steps you have to take to hire the best moving company. It is vital that you know what these steps are to ensure that your possessions are safe while being transported.
The License
To legally operate as a long distance or interstate mover, the moving company will need to be licensed by the government. The licensing comes from the US Department of Transportation. Before you even consider working with a long distance mover, you will need to get their USDOT number.
If the company is unwilling to provide this number, it means that they are not licensed. Once you have the number, you can complete a quick check on the USDOT website. The website offers an electronic record of the license and ensures that you only ever hire a company that is legally allowed to do the job.
The Reputation
Once you have confirmed that the company is licensed to work as a long distance mover, you need to look at their reputation. There is no point in contacting a company if they have a bad reputation because there is a good reason for this. The best way to determine the company’s reputation is to look at online reviews. Before hiring moving companies for relocation, it is recommended to go through their online reviews.
Some websites specialize in providing reviews for moving companies, and you should look there first. More general review websites can also be used. However, it is important to be careful with online reviews as they can be manipulated. There are cases where moving companies have paid for positive reviews or paid people to leave poor reviews for their competition.
The Assessment
Reputable moving companies will complete an assessment before they give you an estimate. During the evaluation, they will determine the size of your move and the amount of work that will need to be done on their part. An assessment will provide the most precise estimate possible and is vital for a long distance move.
Some movers allow you to tell them what you are going to move, and they will provide an estimate based on this. While this process may seem more straightforward, there is a greater chance that you will have additional fees when it comes time for the move. It is also harder to get an accurate estimate of costs if you are considering extra services such as packing.
The assessment will also provide you with a chance to meet the movers and get a feel for them. Intuition is something you need to listen to when choosing a mover. If you feel uncomfortable with the movers, you might want to reconsider working with them. Your instincts can often sense things that your conscious mind blocks out, and you need to listen to them.
The Insurance
Whenever you work with a moving company, you need to check that they have insurance. You do not want something to happen to your possessions in transit and have no recourse. It is recommended that you find out about insurance before you get an assessment or estimate from the company.
Any reputable moving company will be happy to provide the details of their insurance to you. If the company does not want to do this, it could mean that they are not insured. If you have checked the USDOT number for the company, you should not have a problem getting insurance information as this is a requirement for licensing.
Compare Estimates
It is recommended that you get estimates for your move from at least three companies. This will provide you with a good basis for comparison. The estimates that you get from the companies should be in writing, detailed, and on letterheaded paper.
A mistake that many people make with estimates is to focus on the total price only. While this is important because you need to be able to afford the total price, there is other information that you need to consider as well. This information will include the overall services provided, the timeframe of the move, and insurance coverage.
Some long distance movers include services such as disassembling and assembling furniture in their price. Other movers may charge extra for this, and you need to consider that. If you want to use their packing service, you should compare the costs between all of the estimates that you have.
Choosing the cheapest estimate will not always be the best solution. However, that does not mean that the most expensive will be the best, either. You need to consider your budget and what you are getting for your money.
If you are moving long distance, you need to ensure that you hire the right moving company. Checking that they have a USDOT number and insurance is important. You also need to have an assessment of your move done to get the best possible estimates which you can compare.