How to Find Moving Companies Worth Hiring

When you are gearing up for a move, whether it’s across town or across the country, having to find moving companies can be one of the hardest parts of the whole relocation. There are a lot of moving and storage companies, both small local shops and larger cross-country or international moving firms, that can assist you. But some of them are pretty good, and others are terrible. How do customers find the companies that will truly facilitate their trips to a new home? Here’s how to locate the moving service you need, and avoid the ones who would just take you for a ride.

Customer Service: The Great Equalizer

A good way to judge any kind of moving company is through the customer service you get when you initially call up to set up the job. The more time you take asking questions at the outset, the less likely you are to be disappointed on moving day.

If you are dealing with a local moving company, you may actually set up the job directly with the company’s owner, or an involved crew leader. This person will be the key to negotiating a good move. He knows all about the day to day operation of this business, and can give you specific information about how all your possessions will be moved, and what it will cost. A customer who is friendly but firm, and asks the tough questions up front, can know what to expect on moving day.

If you’re contacting a larger company, you may need to work through a dispatch or phone representative. In this case, that person who you set up the move with is going to be your primary resource. You can often tell if the moving company is good by listening to how the individual representative reacts to your questions. In a disorganized company, he may not know much about how your move will be handled. In a good one, that representative can answer your questions directly, or refer you to other resources within the company.

Nailing Down Particulars

When you have a listening ear of the person mentioned above, it’s time to go through and negotiate the terms of your move, including time frame, price and specific handling procedures. Here again, a local company may be easier to deal with, because you can talk directly to the people who will be involved. On moving day, you will be working side by side with these individuals to load your household possessions. Before the move, talk to them about what you can reasonably expect. Then, on moving day, you’re less likely to get any unpleasant surprises.

If you’re talking to the representative of a larger company, the most you can do is to negotiate all of the total price of the move on paper. You can ask for company policies regarding handling and time frame, and otherwise make sure you’re covered by a good solid agreement with the representative. Part of this negotiation helps customers from getting stuck in a “freight hostage” situation, where shady moving companies demand more money after loading all of your goods onto their truck. This and other problems often arise from not having a well negotiated agreement on moving day.

All of the above will help you get the best help available for your move.