Find the Best Moving Companies
Moving an entire household is stressful enough without having to deal with a disreputable moving company. When hiring professional movers, time spent investigating a company can save you a lot of money and heartache. You should know that the movers you hire are credentialed, insured, and among the best moving companies.
Verify your moving company's authority
Before considering a moving company, ensure they are legally registered as a mover. The Department of Transportation requires all household moving companies to have USDOT or MC numbers. All legal movers should provide you with these numbers, which you can verify on http://www.safersys.org. At this site you can search by company name or USDOT number to make sure that your mover is credentialed to provide household moving services.
Check insurance coverage
In addition to being registered with the Department of Transportation, all household moving companies are required to carry a minimum amount of liability and cargo insurance. Coverage varies from mover to mover, so be sure to ask for each company's specific policy.
A moving company should be able to provide you with written proof of their insurance coverage, called a Certificate of Insurance. Confirming a mover's insurance is easy: just look them up on http://www.safersys.org or call the insurance company listed on the certificate. You should also be able to purchase additional insurance from the moving company, which is highly recommended.
Confirm payment terms
Before signing a contract, be sure that you are clear on the moving company's terms of payment. Be wary of companies that take only cash. Most companies will require a deposit up front, with the rest of the payment due at the time of the move. Ask if you can pay with a credit card; that way, any fraudulent charges can be disputed. The final price of your move should be very close to the estimate provided, unless the nature of your move has changed.
Research business records and moving company reviews
The best way to determine the professionalism of a moving company is to investigate previous customers' experiences. If someone recommends a particular moving company, ask if they remember the names of the movers that were assigned to their move. Your experience moving will be based on the service provided to you by individual movers, not the moving company.
For moving company reviews and recommendations, contact:
Previous article
Next Article: Pro Moving Tips