Tips For Hiring Movers In Maryland

Packing up your entire life, placing it in a truck, and driving it several miles to a new city is never an easy task. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make things significantly easier on you and your loved ones – such as hiring movers to help along the way. However, there are a lot of considerations that go into hiring a moving company. The last thing you want is to set up a pickup and delivery date, sign your contract, and then have your moving company hold your belongings hostage until you pay them a ton of hidden charges.

Unfortunately, these types of situations do occur and it’s incredibly important that you be extra vigilant in order to prevent this from happening to you. So, if you’re trying to hire movers for an upcoming move in Maryland, to Maryland, or from Maryland, we’re here to help. Read on for five essential tips for hiring movers in Maryland, to ensure that you find a company you can trust and have the best moving experience possible.

1. Research Movers

Although you may be able to being your search for reputable Maryland movers on the internet, this may not be the most reliable place to start. Instead, consider asking around for recommendations first. You likely know some friends, family members, or co-workers who have moved recently. Reach out to them, ask about their experiences, and if they have any moving companies that they recommend.

Once you’ve gathered a solid list of recommended moving companies, start perusing online reviews to learn more about them. In most cases, people will leave reviews if they’ve had a very good experience or a very bad one. If these companies offer references, give them a call and ask them questions about their experience. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau, as they will display if the company has had complaints filed against it.

Aside from looking at reviews or getting references from past customers, you also want to verify how much experience a moving company has. When it comes to movers, you’re often better off going with a company that has been in business for at least a couple of years. In fact, the more experience the better.

2. Check for License and Insurance

Put simply, you should never use a moving company that is not properly licensed and insured. Any group of people can purchase a truck and start calling themselves a moving company. However, those who are officially licensed and insured are required by law to protect their belongings. For interstate relations, movers must register with the United States Department of Transportation and will be given their own USDOT number.

You can verify a company’s DOT number, in addition to their insurance, by checking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database. The regulations for local movers vary from state to state, but most states have some sort of licensing program. Check out this page from the Maryland Department of Labor for more information on moving regulations in the state of Maryland.

3. Get Multiple Estimates

Whether you’re moving locally in Maryland or long-distance, it’s always recommended to obtain two or three moving estimates well in advance of your move. Rates can vary drastically, depending on the specific moving company, their size, availability, location, services, and more. Getting multiple estimates ensures that you get the best deal and also helps you weed out potential moving scams – as movers that come in with a rate significantly lower than the rest are usually a huge red flag. Not to mention, you should always get your estimate in writing (or via email). Estimates given verbally cannot be verified.

4. Make Sure They’re Thorough

For best results, always request an on-site or in-home moving estimate. During this estimate, you also want to make sure that the estimator is as thorough as possible. They should come away fully aware of everything that needs to be moved, otherwise, the costs will increase to account for anything that wasn’t included in the initial estimate.

Your movers should also be aware of potential circumstances that may make your move more difficult. For instance, do you live on the fourth floor and there is no elevator? Or, is it possible that the moving truck may have a hard time finding parking close to your new home? Any of these circumstances could incur additional fees and you don’t want these to be a surprise on moving day.

5. Understand the Types of Moving Contracts

When it comes to moving contracts, there are three general types that you should be aware of. Again, a personal “guarantee” is not enough and you’ll always want to get everything in writing. The three common forms of acceptable moving contracts include:

• A binding estimate is an all-encompassing agreement. It involves the movers coming out to your home or business, providing you with a detailed estimate, and then you sign a contract that outlines the exact amount you will pay for the move. With binding estimates, there are no surprises – what you are initially quoted is what you pay, it’s as simple as that. However, on the downside, some movers will charge slightly higher rates if they commit to a binding estimate to avoid possibly losing money.
• A non-binding estimate means that the movers cannot charge you more than 10% of what they initially quoted you. This option leaves moving companies with a little bit of a buffer to help cover extra expenses. As such, they are less likely to cut corners to save money.
• A non-binding to exceed estimate indicates a maximum amount that you will be expected to pay. This contract states that you will not be required to cover overages or additional charges past what you were initially quoted.

Hiring the right Maryland movers for you

Whether you’re moving down the street or to another state, the first step in achieving a stress-free relocation is to hire the right movers to get the job done. Living in Maryland, or really anywhere else in the United States, you likely have tons of options to choose from. For this reason, it is so important to do plenty of research, ask around, and not hesitate to look elsewhere if a moving company raises any red flags.

Overall, you want movers with a proven track record of reliability, high-quality service, and safety. While you may only be using the company for one day, there’s a lot that can still go wrong during local moves. When it comes down to it, the more work you put into finding the right Maryland movers for you, the less work you’ll have to put up with regarding potential mishaps.

If you’re planning on hiring movers in Maryland, you’ve come to the right place. At Three Movers, we are committed to taking care of you and your belongings from the first phone call all the way until that last box is unloaded. Contact us today to schedule your FREE, on-site estimate and learn how you could save up to 20% when you choose Three Movers as your Maryland movers.