Most people don’t give too much thought to the people they hire to move their household goods from point A to point B. This is unfortunate because the ease and simplicity of a move can be greatly multiplied by choosing the right moving company. Rather than hiring a moving company at random, follow these simple steps to find the mover right for you:

–Give yourself enough time to make the right decision. If you wait until the last minute to hire a mover, the one who is best for you may already be booked. Don’t settle for second best at the last minute; instead start early to give yourself enough time to do your research.

–If you follow the first step and get started early, you’ll have plenty of time to shop around for the lowest quote. While many moving companies offer quotes via the web or over the phone, these quotes are not binding and are subject to change. The only way a moving company can provide a legally binding quote is by performing an in person survey of the items to be moved and the area they will be moved from. During the survey, different factors will play a role in determining the final quote. Those factors include, but are not limited to: the number of rooms in a home, the number of floors, the number of sharp corners or awkward shaped hallways, the value of the goods (for insurance reasons) and more. Since the client will be present while the in person survey is conducted, don’t be afraid to have the mover explain their justification for the price offered. Some moving companies do nothing more than drop off a truck, let the client pack the goods, and drive the truck to the final destination. This type of move is much cheaper but requires a lot more physical effort from the client, which some may not be willing or able to perform.

–Once the in person quotes have been issued, the haggling can begin. Collect as many quotes as possible from companies that are trustworthy and that meet your needs. Ask the companies if they can beat the price of the lowest bidding company, if they can, you may walk away with a few extra bucks in your pocket. Remember, just because a company offers the lowest quote it does not mean that they offer a quality service that is right for you. Research all aspects of the company, not just the quote they offer. You would probably hate to hire the company with the lowest quote only to find out that their lack of insurance coverage allows for such low prices.

–On that note, be sure to check the insurance coverage of the moving company. It’s your money and it’s your stuff, so make sure you get your money’s worth and make sure that your stuff is protected from unforeseen events.

The services of a moving company are not services that many people often need to secure. Some people can live their entire lives only needing to hire a moving company once or twice. This means that it is difficult for homeowners and renters to build a strong rapport and history with their local moving company the way that they would with other businesses. In the absence of a strong professional history with a particular moving company, homeowners and renters are urged to do their homework, ask questions, and shop around.

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