Regardless of the reason, a move is always an unnerving experience. If you’ve ever moved, you know the big role movers play in the process. If you’ve never moved before, you are definitely doing the right thing reading this article.
If you want to make sure your move proceeds flawlessly or at least damage-free, you need to keep the following tips in mind.
1. Ask Around
The best movers are those, who get good reviews. No matter how amazing their website is and how well they promote themselves, if the company doesn’t have reviews, don’t consider it.
Ideally, you should get a review from someone you know. Be it a friend, a coworker or a neighbor, genuine and real-life reviews are the best. So ask around.
If you don’t get any referrals, go to the company’s website and such resources asYelp and Google to read what other people have to say. Be wary if all the reviews you see are excellent.
As there is an exception to every rule, there should always be at least one negative review.
Companies with the least number of negative reviews should win a spot on your list.
2. Hire Local Companies
Whether you are moving to the nearby street or to another city, consider hiring a local company. When you choose a local mover, you can come to their office, check out their equipment, and negotiate the price.
If the movers are from another city, this is hardly possible. You may be tricked by a company, which is located solely on the internet. Such companies tend to outsource their work to the cheapest movers in the area while charging a high price for their services.
3. Be Wary About Upfront Payments
If the company is asking for a large sum upfront, beware. It’s probably providing low-quality services. Usually, movers don’t ask for more than about 20 percent in advance. If they ask for more, they are probably unsure that you’ll be satisfied with their services.
According to Toronto movers at TorexMoving, in Ontario, the majority of respectable moving companies don’t require any payment until the work is completed. If you pay too much upfront, the movers may not be duly careful with your belongings.
4. Look At The Equipment
If you are transporting furniture and appliances rather than simply clothing and shoes, you need to check what type of equipment the movers have. Specially equipped vehicles, coupled with hoisting straps, dollies, and ramps are a must.
If the company doesn’t list this equipment when you ask about it, you may want to consider finding one that does.
Not all companies offer packaging services. So if you needhelp with packing, make sure you ask if the company does that.
5. Check The Team
How many movers are planning to help you with the move? Depending on the size of your move, you may need up to six or even eight movers. Usually, people settle for just two. However, the more trucks and workers are involved, the faster you’ll move.
If you are planning a big move, ask if the company has more than two movers and one truck
6. Get A Quote
Unless the company comes highly recommended by someone you trust, get quotes from several of them before making a choice. More often than not, you can find a high-quality moving service at a reasonable price tag.
Don’t go after the cheapest services. If one company on your list stands out for its fantastically low price, it should raise a red flag.
High-quality moving companies care for their reputation and work hard to keep the customer satisfied. Don’t hesitate to list your requirements and see how the company reacts to them before making the final decision.