How to Find the Right Moving and Packing Company

Moving can be an overwhelming process. Packing your belongings and relocating is difficult both physically and mentally, and hiring a company that offers packing & moving services can ease the process.

However, choosing the right moving and packing company can be mind-boggling. It isn’t easy to leave all your belongings and precious memories with someone you don’t know. You want someone who can provide high-quality service and ensure all the belongings reach the destination undamaged.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to find the right packing and moving service and offer tips on how to make moving easier.

How to Find the Right Moving and Packing Company

Finding a company you can trust with your belongings isn’t simple. Here are a few tips that can help.

Browse the Internet

Nowadays, most moving packing companies have an online presence. This allows you to get information about the services they offer without even calling them. The more detailed the website, the better. Some companies can provide a free quote after entering the locations and the desired date. This is an excellent way to get acquainted with average moving costs.

Besides checking the websites of the companies you’re interested in, you should read online reviews and ratings. Dozens of positive (or negative) reviews are a clear sign of a company’s reputation and the quality of services they provide.

Get Referrals

If you know a family member, friend, or neighbor who has recently moved, reach out and ask them what moving and packing company they used. Their answers will help you narrow your choices.

Ask for Multiple Quotes

Instead of reaching out to only one moving and packing company, contact at least three full service movers and get quotes. This will help you compare the services they offer and decide on the company that suits your requests and preferences. If one of the companies offers a much higher or lower quote than the other two, this could be a red flag.

It’s recommended to get in-person estimates. No company can give you a precise quote if they don’t know how much stuff you have.

Ensure the Company Is Insured

Reliable packing and moving companies have an insurance policy that protects your belongings from damage. If a company you’re interested in doesn’t have insurance, hiring them is not advisable.

Watch Out for Red Flags

Numerous signs could indicate a company isn’t a great choice for you. For example, most reputable moving companies won’t ask you for a large cash deposit before the move. If a company seems eager to get the money upfront, you shouldn’t hire them.

Pay attention to the employees’ behavior during the estimate. If they are unprofessional, rude, or can’t answer your questions, you should look for another company.

Be wary of companies with a name switch. Some companies change their name to avoid being assessed by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Before hiring a company, check their address and licensing to ensure they are a legitimate business with nothing to hide.

Some moving companies can ask you to sign a blank contract, and this is something you should avoid at all costs. Reputable companies will have absolutely everything in writing, including a detailed inventory list, pickup and delivery dates, estimated costs and extra fees, etc. Before signing the contract, read it thoroughly to ensure you agree with everything and check the inventory list. If something isn’t on the list and gets damaged or lost in the moving process, you won’t be able to file a claim.

Know What You’re Looking for and Ensure the Company Offers Those Services

Before hiring a moving company, you need to ask yourself whether you need help with packing. Namely, not all moving companies offer home packing services. Before hiring a company, ensure you know what you want from them. Naturally, the fee will be higher if you want full-service packing and moving.

Check if the Company Offers Storage Options

If you need to store your belongings during the move, you’ll be happy to know some packing and moving companies offer different storage options. From temperature-controlled warehouses to simple outdoor storage units, a versatile company will provide an efficient solution for every phase of the moving process.

Talk to the Employees

The company you hire should have experienced and professional employees that can answer all your moving-related questions. Good customer service is an important factor that should impact your decision on whether to hire a company.

Do Your Research

Referrals from family members, friends, and neighbors are an excellent starting point to finding long distance right moving and packing company. However, you shouldn’t forget to do some research on your own. Check the company’s track record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Moreover, establish whether the moving company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA).

Know the Difference Between Brokers, Carriers, and Broker/Carrier Hybrids

Every moving company belongs to one of the three categories: brokers, carriers, or broker/carrier hybrids. Brokers partner up with different moving companies and outsource their moving services to them. After you contact a broker, they will post the job, and multiple companies can apply. Since the companies “fight” over the job, you’ll usually get a lower price for the move.

While affordability is an excellent advantage, working with a broker can have some downsides. Since you only talk to the broker, you won’t meet the actual crew that does the work until they arrive at your house. The broker can forget to convey certain information to the moving crew, potentially resulting in misunderstandings and problems.

The second option is working with a carrier. A carrier is a company that does all the work with its staff. This is a great choice if you want to meet the crew and discuss their service before hiring them. Keep in mind that this is usually a more expensive option.

The third and the last option are broker/carrier hybrids. These companies do some of the work themselves and hire other companies to help them with certain aspects of the process.

Knowing how the moving company you hire operates is crucial for avoiding miscommunication.

Questions You Should Ask a Moving Company

This list of questions should help you hire the best moving company for your needs.

How Long Has the Company Been Operating?

Both the company’s owner and the employees should be able to tell you how long they’ve been in the business.

Has Anyone Ever Filed a Complaint, and How Did You Solve It?

We’re all human, and accidents can happen. If it was the company’s fault, they should’ve taken precautions to rectify the situation. Ask them about those precautions to be sure you’re making the right choice.

Can You Give Me a Few References?

Almost every company has testimonials on its website. Ask the employees if they could connect you to past customers so you can get first-hand information about the company’s quality of services.

May I See the Full Tariff List?

A full tariff list is an official list of all rates and charges. If the moving company you’re interested in is a member of an association, compare the list to the others.

What Experience Does Your Crew Have?

Just because a company has been in the business for 10 or 20 years doesn’t mean its employees have the same amount of experience. Feel free to ask about the experience of the team members that would handle your move.

Can Your Company Do Everything I Need?

Of course, before asking this question, you should know what you need. As mentioned, not all companies offer the same services. Some services include packing, loading, furniture assembly/disassembly, transportation for specialty items, vehicle shipping, cleaning, etc. Of course, you don’t have to use all services a company offers, but you should be clear about what you want.

Can You Give Me Specific Pickup and Delivery Dates?

Any company that gives you vague answers regarding the pickup and delivery dates isn’t a company you should hire. A reputable company will provide precise dates and even tell you at what time they’ll come to your house.

What Insurance Options Do You Offer?

Many insurance companies will offer additional insurance options for your belongings. Check with the company regarding the insurance plans they offer. Since insurance is an important aspect of the moving process, don’t be afraid to ask numerous questions until everything is crystal clear.

What Precautions Do You Take for Fragile Items?

One of the biggest reasons for hiring a moving company is having peace of mind your belongings will be transported safely. A reputable company should be able to explain the entire packing process in detail.

Could There Be Additional Charges I’m Not Already Aware of?

The right moving and packing company should be transparent regarding all aspects of their business, including the costs. Potential additional charges should be disclosed right away.

Is There a Cancellation Policy?

Unpredictable circumstances can arise and cause you to change your plans. Therefore, you should check with the company whether there’s a cancellation policy you could take advantage of in such cases.

Does Your Company Offer Binding Estimates?

Unfortunately, many moving companies are known for increasing their prices on moving day. At that point, it’s too late for the customer to find another company, so they virtually have no choice but to accept the price.

You can avoid this scenario by hiring a company that offers binding estimates. These estimates ensure the fee won’t change unless you add items to the inventory or unexpected circumstances occur.

Of course, just because a company doesn’t offer binding estimates doesn’t mean they aren’t trustworthy. That’s why you should do your research thoroughly before reaching out to different companies. Online reviews are usually an excellent indicator if a company likes to “surprise” its clients with increased prices.

Do You Offer Furniture Packing Services?

Not all moving companies offer furniture packing services. If you need this service, you should ask about it before hiring a company.

Can I Have a Complete Inventory List?

Before packing your belongings, the moving company should create a detailed inventory list. You should double-check the list before the movers leave. This inventory list is valuable if any problems arise.

How Can I Contact the Driver?

A reliable moving company should give you the driver’s name and contact information so that you can reach them anytime during the moving process.

Who Can I Contact for Help?

Many things can go wrong during packing and transportation. If you want to be prepared for such situations, discuss the process with the moving company.

Tips on How to Make Moving Easier

Moving can become overwhelming and frustrating if you’re not organized. These valuable tips will help you make moving a breeze:

Plan Ahead

Last-minute arrangements almost never turn out the way you wanted them. If you want to make the moving process as enjoyable as possible, you should plan ahead. Hire the moving company several weeks before the moving day so you’ll have enough time to run your errands and prepare.

Get Rid of the Unnecessary Stuff

If you have boxes you haven’t touched in years sitting in your garage, this could be a great time to get rid of them. Of course, you don’t have to throw stuff away. You can organize a garage sale or donate the items to charity.

Pack an Essentials Bag

An “essentials” bag has everything you’ll need until you unpack your belongings in your new house. The bag should include a change of clothes, phone chargers and gadgets, toiletries, snacks, etc.

Ask Someone to Help You With Children or Pets

Small children and pets can amplify the stress of organizing, packing, and moving. It may be a good idea to ask a family member or a friend to watch the kids and/or pets while the moving and packing company does its job.

Let the Experts Help

Moving to a new location is much more than packing your stuff and walking out the door. This process requires a lot of time, planning, and organizing. Fortunately, moving experts can help.

Whether you’re moving next door or across the country, you can be 100% sure you’re in good hands with Three Movers. We are a team of professional, reliable individuals and have completed over a million deliveries. Our movers will take excellent care of your precious belongings and ensure the moving process goes smoothly.

Get a free quote here or contact us at 888-202-0036, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.