How To Choose a Reputable Moving Company

Knowing how to choose a reputable moving company when you’re planning a move to a new home can help make your relocation process smoother and less stressful. Whether you’re making a local move or moving to another state, don’t let the excitement of your new adventure be ruined by choosing the wrong mover.

Following a step-by-step process and using available online resources for vetting moving companies is vital to ensure you don’t get overcharged and your belongings are delivered to your new home on time.

Create A Plan for Your Move

To help your move go as smoothly as possible, develop a moving plan and stick to it. Create a binder to keep all the important information in one place and make a backup copy online in case you lose your binder. There are many useful online resources where you can learn everything you need to know to choose a reputable moving company and avoid bad movers and scams.

Educate Yourself Using Online Resources

Whether you are making a local move or moving to another state, you have free resources available to help you choose the best mover for your needs.

Download Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move handbook for free from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

In addition to the free handbook, the FMCSA has a mover search tool to check whether interstate movers are registered and to view their complaint history. They also have additional consumer information for local and in-state moves.

Other online resources such as moving.com, part of the realtor.com® network, make it easy to get and compare moving quotes. They also have plenty of other helpful information to help you educate yourself on everything you need to know about choosing a reputable moving company.

Use the simple step-by-step process list below or create your list from some of the website links above. Make sure to do thorough research so you fully understand the entire process including everything you need to know, questions you need to ask movers and how to verify you are choosing a reputable moving company.

Use A Step-By-Step Process

Get Started Early: Start looking for a moving company at least 8-12 weeks before your move. Waiting can limit your options and you could end up with a less reputable mover due to time constraints. Early research also gives you plenty of time to educate yourself, compare different companies and read reviews without the stress of a deadline.

Verify Credentials: When you find a promising mover, check that they are properly licensed and insured. Reputable interstate movers in the U.S. must have a USDOT number issued by the FMCSA ensuring they comply with federal regulations. For local moves, you can check with your state’s transportation department or public utility commission to verify the mover is reputable.

Get Multiple Estimates: Get written estimates from a minimum of three different moving companies. This will give you a good sample of moving costs and help you choose which company to use. It also allows you to interact with the company's staff, which will help you assess their professionalism and the quality of their customer service. The written estimates should be based on a physical inspection of your home’s belongings by each moving company, not just a rough estimate over the phone or from an online source.

Read Reviews and Complaints: Look at reviews and complaints through reliable sources such as the FMCSA and Better Business Bureau (BBB). It’s important to know how a company responds to complaints as that can be an indication of their level of customer support should anything go wrong with your move.

Understand Pricing and Fees: Go over the pricing details with the estimator or customer service representative from each company so you won’t have any surprises on moving day. Most companies charge based on weight and distance but there can be many variables such as hourly rates for local moves and what packing costs are covered in the estimate. Be wary of red flags such as lowball estimates that may be too good to be true, as they can sometimes lead to price hikes on the day of your move or poor service.

Ask the Right Questions: When you speak with movers, ask about their experience, particularly with moves similar to yours. Inquire about their staff's training and whether they subcontract any services. Knowing whether the same crew will handle your possessions from start to finish can affect the quality and accountability of the service.

Beware of Red Flags: Watch out for red flags such as movers who demand a large deposit before the move or companies that do not have a physical address or use rented trucks. These can be signs of a less reputable or inexperienced company.

Understand Insurance and Valuation Coverage: It’s important to understand the difference between insurance and valuation coverage offered by the movers you are considering. Full-value insurance protection, which covers the replacement value of your items, is more comprehensive than value protection, which is generally offered at no additional cost but only provides minimal coverage based on a set rate per pound.

Get Everything in Writing: Once you decide on a mover, get all the terms of the move documented. This includes the estimate, extra fees, pickup and delivery dates, and any other details that are important to your move.

By taking these steps, you can find a moving company that not only fits your budget but also provides the level of service you need for a successful move. Remember, the best mover is one that combines reliability, affordability, and quality service to ensure your belongings are safely transported to your new home.

Epcon Communities

Epcon Communities offers luxury single-level homes in communities designed to bring people together with amenities and activities that provide a variety of options to fit your lifestyle.

We offer homes from 1,300 to over 3,000 square feet with 2-4 bedrooms. Many of our communities include resort-style amenities and landscape maintenance through the HOA which frees up time so you can enjoy the activities and people that make your life more complete.

Contact us to find out more about Epcon Communities and where we build.