Looking for the Best Moving Company? Comparing the Competitors

Finding the best moving company is a time consuming and possibly frustrating task. When moving, it is important to receive and compare multiple estimates. Keeping the following considerations in mind, it will be easier to compare and eventually choose the best moving company for your move.

Price Comparison

Of course, the first thing you will be inclined to compare is the estimated costs of the different companies. While not the only thing you should consider, it is not a bad place to start as you can use extremely high or extremely low charges as an elimination factor. A company with a very high estimate is most likely overcharging, and a company with the lowest estimate may later try to scam you for money by refusing to unload your goods without receiving another payment. As with any purchase, it is always best to purchase services that fall within the typical, average price range.

Service Comparison

In addition to price, you should also compare the service provided by the companies. Take note of the company’s service while you are searching for a mover and their promises for future service. Service does not only refer to actually moving your belongings, but also to their availability, their response time (taken to answer your questions), their ability to resolve disputes, and how they care for your belongings while in storage or transit. A reputable company should be reachable during regular business hours, and know the driver and employees that will be responsible for transporting your possessions.

A company that has not been eliminated due to being too expensive or too cheap, may be eliminated because of poor service. Beware of a company that does not want to send a representative to assess your goods, does not provide a written estimate, or does not return your calls.

Packing Supply Comparison

If you are hiring the company to also pack your goods, inquire about the materials they will use to do so. For example, china necessitates bubble wrap and other cushioning supplies to ensure it will not break during transit. To get a good sense of whether the company will try to cut corners during your move, even if you are packing your own goods, ask what they use to move your mattress. Your mattress should be transported in a cardboard mattress box and not a large bag. A cardboard mattress box protects the shape of your mattress and prevents it from getting dirty. A plastic bag only protects the mattress from some and not all dirt. A company that promises to use boxes for transporting your mattress is more reputable than one which only uses plastic bags.

Insurance and Registration

A moving company’s liability for any damage to your belongings extends only as far as the insurance you have purchased. This coverage is referred to as “valuation,” and can either be the declared value of your belongings, which is based on the weight of your shipment multiplied by a specified amount per pound, the assessed value, which is the cost of the item, or full value which pays for repairs or replacement. The type of valuation offered by your company affects the amount you are able to recover. Before hiring a company, ask which type of insurance the company offers.

The rules of the Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the US Department of Transportation, govern registration, operation, and dispute resolution for interstate moving companies and customers. A local moving company that only operates in one specific state is not governed by the FMCSA, but may be subject to state agency guidelines.

It is important that you compare and ask questions about the different moving estimates you receive. Most importantly, though, follow your instinct when determining which company to hire.