1. Make Your Google Searches Specific
It can be tempting to just search for something as simple as “Movers” or “Moving Companies” on Google to find your list of moving companies to consider. You will get a list of movers, but they won’t be the most tailored for you.
We suggest looking up phrases that better describe what you’re looking for. Here are some examples:
- Local Movers
- Long-Distance Movers
- Senior Movers
- Apartment Movers
- Antique Movers
By using phrases that are this specific, you will be more likely to find moving companies that fit your needs.
2. Check Licenses
Only move with a moving company that is fully licensed. Find out right away so that you don’t find yourself in a bad situation partway through your move.
For a local move in the Richmond, Virginia area, you will want to look for their Virginia state license. This is called the Virginia Intrastate for Hire Certificate. Any legitimate moving company will list their license number right on the bottom of their website.
3. Read Online Reviews
People rarely move and not everyone uses a moving company. This means that it is hard to find an in-person recommendation. Luckily, you will be able to find plenty of online reviews to get a sense of the company that you are considering.
You should look for three things when researching online reviews:
- The total number of reviews. If there are not many reviews then you simply can’t trust them.
- Whether or not they respond to negative reviews. It is even more of a plus if they respond to positive reviews as well.
- The total average score of all of the reviews.
With these, you will get a sense of how the moving company handles their moves and how dedicated they are to providing great customer care.
4. Use the Federal Movers Database
The Federal Movers Database is a great tool that not enough people know about. By just entering the USDOT number, found at the bottom of any of good mover’s website, you can get a ton of useful information.
This includes insurance info, complaint history, and much more. Take a look before dedicating yourself to a moving company.
5. Look for Any Certifications
You don’t have to take the moving company’s word on how good they are. For your move, go with movers that have received certifications that prove that they can handle your move.
We recommend looking for movers that are ProMover Certified by the American Trucking Association: Movers and Storage Conference.
6. Reach Out for Any Questions You Have
If you have any questions or want to learn more than you can find on the website, you should give your potential movers a call.
This serves two purposes. One is that you will get the answers that you’re looking for. The other is that you will see just how much they value good customer care. Moving is a lengthy process, so go with movers that care to treat you correctly.
7. Get Three Moving Estimates
Even if you find a really good moving company that checks all of your boxes, you should still get at least three moving estimates.
This will give you peace of mind that you are getting a fair price. Keep in mind that you should weigh what services you are getting for the price, not just go with the cheapest price.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is a lot to do and a lot to consider when choosing a moving company. It’s an important decision, which is why it requires such in-depth consideration. By doing this research, you will be able to have a truly stress-free move knowing that you can be confident that you are making the right decision.