7 Tips for Choosing a Local Moving Company (2021)
Quick Read
Make sure the local moving company is credible, professional, and most importantly, right for you. It can be difficult to determine, but I have put together these 7 tips to help you with the decision-making process.
- Get recommendations from friends and family
- Read through online reviews
- Check out the services each moving company offers
- Communicate to learn more and check out their customer service
- Receive at least 3 estimates
- Make sure that they give a thorough walkthrough before giving an estimate
- Review the estimate and ask questions
Good, stress-free moves come from doing the proper amount of research and knowing what to look for out of a moving company. With these tips, you’ll be on your way to your new home with peace-of-mind.
Deciding on a local moving company is a big decision. There is a lot to consider and it can be incredibly difficult to determine which mover is right for you. I have over a decade of experience in the moving industry, so I’ve seen a thing or two. I want to share what I’ve learned with you so you make the right decision for your move.
1. Look Towards Friends and Family
Who better to trust with recommendations than your friends and family. Before spending time collecting names of all of the local moving companies you can, ask your friends and your family if they have had any experiences, good or bad, with moving companies in the last few years.
You may not be able to find a lot of recommendations. People don’t move a lot after all. The ones you are able to get will be worth it, since it comes from someone that you personally know.
2. Check Online Reviews
While recommendations from friends and family may be extremely trustworthy, online reviews are much easier to get. When searching for reviews for movers on Google or Yelp or one of the other numerous directories, look out for the overall rating and look to see how they respond to bad reviews. If they don’t respond to bad reviews or they respond in an unprofessional or rude manner, they may not be the local movers that you can trust.
3. Understand the Services Offered
An easy way to whittle down the professional movers that you are looking at is to look at the types of moving services that they all offer. Some important ones to look for include:
- Professional Packing Services
- Secure Warehouse Storage
- Disassembly and Reassembly of Larger Items
You don’t just need to look for these services if you know you need them. Trusting a full-service local moving company means you can rest assured that they can handle any services that pop up during the moving process.
4. Speak With Each Moving Company
Communication is key. Once you get your list of local moving companies to choose from, you can either call and ask about their services or prepare a list of questions to call and ask. You want to make sure that you’re working with movers that excel at clear communication. Not only will you learn more about what the moving company offers, but you will also see how their customer service is.
5. Get At Least 3 Estimates
You will always want to get the most fair price when deciding on a mover. To ensure this, it is smart to get at least three estimates from different moving companies. Remember, it isn’t just about getting the lowest price. You have to factor in how much a moving company will do for you as well.
6. Make Sure They Do a Thorough Walkthrough
When determining the legitimacy of a local moving company, it is smart to look at how they conduct their estimates. Movers who are offering estimates that you can trust will go through every bit of our move and your home to determine a fair cost. This can either be through an in-person walkthrough or through a virtual walkthrough over video chat. Be sure to avoid any company that offers an estimate over the phone without seeing anything.
7. Review the Estimate Carefully
This is not the time to rush. You will want to read all of the details about the estimate that you receive and ask many questions. Understanding the terms of the estimate is incredibly important before you sign a contract. Be sure to ask about the factors that can change the price of the estimate.
Final Thoughts
With these seven quick tips you will be guaranteed to have a move with peace-of-mind. Don’t make the mistake of choosing the first local moving company that you see. Understand exactly what you need to look for and do the research necessary to make a truly educated decision.