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Residential moving is indeed a hectic and stressful task. You’re so equipped that sometimes, you randomly choose any moving company available in the town without researching well. Hence, you get overcharged and poorly served, and your stuff is also at risk.
For that reason, we will teach you what to look for in a residential moving company so that you can choose a reliable one that takes care of your belongings like theirs. We’ll provide you with a complete checklist to judge the company accordingly.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Residential Moving Company
Following this checklist is the best way to choose a residential moving company. It’ll help you avoid getting overcharged, being served poorly, and putting your items at risk. So, make sure you follow that.
Licensing and Insurance:
A reliable moving company is always licensed, and if it’s not, it may not meet the criteria for being one. This means that the company won’t be able to handle your stuff well and may come up with hidden fees that you won’t have been told about earlier while booking the move.
You can check the company’s license or the Department of Transportation (DOT) or other relevant authority’s number online to confirm legitimacy. The next thing to consider is that the company offers good insurance, including release and complete value protection.
Experience and Reputation:
A company’s experience speaks volumes about its reliability. The longer they’ve been around, the better they’ll handle all kinds of moves—whether local, long-distance, or fragile items.
So if you are in Boston and looking for a residential move, we’ve been the trusted residential movers Boston for years, and our customers always give us a 5-star rating and refer us to their loved ones. You can consider us for all of your moves and we assure you that we won’t disappoint you.
Services Offered:
Moving companies offer different services. Some offer full-moving services, including packing, unpacking, loading and unloading, and everything about the move. You can go for them if you have valuable items like pianos, guitars, jewelry, or other luxury items.
The second type of movers offers dedicated services like packing, unpacking, or moving; you take care of the rest. Some companies provide packing and unpacking supplies independently, while others don’t. Ensure you know these things and that the company offers what you need.
Transparent Pricing and Estimates:
Understanding how moving companies provide estimates is crucial to avoid surprise costs. Binding estimates lock in the price, while non-binding ones can change based on factors like weight.
Always request an in-home estimate for accuracy, as phone or online quotes are less reliable. Be sure to ask upfront about potential hidden fees for stairs, fuel, or heavy items to ensure clear pricing before signing any contracts.
Availability and Flexibility:
If you have a tight deadline to move, ensure the residential moving company is available on that date. On popular dates, moving companies are always busy. Also, the company should ensure that it adjusts its timeline and schedule if any unexpected bad weather conditions arise.
Professionalism and Communication:
Whether the company is reliable or not will be reflected in their professionalism and communication. If the company is hard to reach out to, they reply to your messages late or are rude and not the good one to go for.
However, if the company listens to you, replies to you on time, handles your issues, walks you through the moving process, and keeps you updated during the move, they’re a green sign for sure.
Equipment and Workforce:
A moving company needs the right equipment and trained staff to handle your items safely. Trucks should be in good condition, and movers should use proper tools like dollies and padding.
Always ask if the team consists of experienced full-time staff or day laborers, as this can impact the quality of service. Without proper equipment or skilled workers, your belongings are at greater risk of damage.
Contracts and Documentation:
Before the moving process starts, read the moving contract, also known as the Bill of lading. That contract includes delivery dates, pricing, services included, and the inventory list. Ensure all the details are correct and all the items you will move with are listed in the inventory list.
Red Flags to Watch For
After learning what to look for in a residential moving company, these are some red flags that you must watch out for.
- Unrealistically Low Estimates: If the price seems too low to be true, you may have to pay hidden fees once the move is booked.
- No Written Contract: Don’t buy Verbal agreements, as they are insufficient. Always take a detailed contract and verify it to see if it’s correct.
- Lack of Online Presence or Reviews: A company must have reviews or an online footprint to be trustworthy. Check for customer feedback to verify their credibility.
- No Branding on Trucks or Uniforms: Reliable moving companies have branded fleets and uniforms. If the movers show up without these, they’re unreliable.
- Vague or Unclear Answers: If you ask about the pricing of specific services from the company but they avoid it, it’s a big red flag. Avoid such companies.
FAQs
Why is licensing important when choosing a moving company?
Licensing ensures the company is legally authorized to operate and meets safety standards. It’s your safeguard against scams and unreliable service.
What’s the benefit of getting an in-home moving estimate?
In-home estimates provide a more accurate quote based on your actual belongings, reducing the risk of surprise costs on a moving day.
How can I avoid hidden fees from a moving company?
To ensure the pricing is clear, ask upfront about any additional charges, such as fees for stairs, bulky items, or long-distance carrying.
