Relocating your home or office can be an exciting yet demanding experience. With so many tasks to undertake and things to take care of, outsourcing your moving task can bring much-needed relief. However, it can be equally overwhelming to choose the right moving company that meets your needs. Whether you are moving intercity or interstate, entrusting your belongings to an efficient and reliable moving company acts as the foundation for a smooth and seamless move.
If you live in an expensive city like West Palm Beach, it makes sense to want to move out of the city. The cost of living in West Palm Beach is higher than 96% than the state average. Not only is it ranked as one of the most expensive places to live in the country, it is ranked in the top 2% of the most expensive cities in the world. So, if you, like many others, are planning to move from West Palm Beach, it’s important to know how to go about hiring a moving company.
Let’s dive in.
Hire a Local Mover
Hiring a company within your locality is better to avoid delays and issues. Therefore, if you reside in West Palm Beach, Florida, and want to move to Austin, Dallas, Jacksonville, Orlando, San Antonio, Tampa, or the Villages, opt for a local West Palm Beach moving company that offers household and commercial moving services.
The most significant advantage of hiring a local mover is their in-depth knowledge of the locality, including routes and the area you are moving from and to. A moving company Jacksonville, for example, should be familiar with the local traffic patterns, roads, and potential challenges that may arise in the area. This enables them to plan the most efficient routes and make timely adjustments while ensuring the safety of your items.
Credentials
It is advisable not to hire a company that is unlicensed and uninsured. This saves you from getting trapped by bogus movers. Only licensed and insured moving companies are legit and legally bound to protect your belongings. Interstate movers typically register with the US Department of Transportation and receive a unique USDOT number. You can find out the moving company’s USDOT number by searching the database of the FMCSA, a unit of the US Department of Transportation.
Different states may have different licensing requirements, which will impact interstate movers. You can find and read interstate licensing laws in your State and then match them with your moving companies to ensure they have valid licenses.
At the same time, moving insurance protects your belongings from harm, theft, or damage while in storage, transit, or during loading and unloading. Besides, all moving companies in the States are legally required to have liability insurance for the value of the goods they transport. However, you may need to determine the coverage level under different circumstances. There are two main types of moving insurance: full replacement value protection and alternative liability level. Under the full replacement value protection, the insurance company will pay you for the cost of repairs or replacement. The alternate liability level may require you to pay more than the insurance can cover.
Also, find out what your moving insurance or the company’s insurance does not cover to avoid later problems.
Reputation
Checking reviews of previous clients and asking for referrals provides a better idea about the company’s reliability, professionalism, and reputation in the market.
Going through online platforms to check reviews is one of the easiest ways to find out what kind of moving company you are dealing with. You can visit reputable review websites, and online forums, leverage social media, or read reviews on the company’s website, portal, or Google. When assessing the reviews, try looking for patterns, paying close attention to positive and negative ones, and gauging your opinion accordingly. A moving company can get negative reviews outweighed by numerous positive ones. Hence, it may be manageable and not necessarily what your experience would be like if you came prepared. However, consistently bad reviews do not reflect positively on the moving company.
Moreover, consider punctuality, communication, belongings handling, overall customer service, and professionalism when browsing through reviews.
You can also ask for referrals from those with experience with the moving company, like your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. You can also ask for a list of references directly from the moving company and reach out to past clients to inquire about essential things like level of trustworthiness. This is one of the most effective ways of getting feedback since it comes directly from the clients. They can provide a comprehensive understanding of the type of moving company you are dealing with.
Transparency in Rates
It is crucial to understand the pricing patterns of a moving company in line with the average market rates. The quote you receive must be market competitive. More importantly, it will help you plan a budget accordingly while eliminating chances of hidden costs before, during, or after the move.
Make sure that you ask for a complete, detailed, clear, and concise quote covering everything from packing, loading, transport, storage, and unloading, or if you only sign up for certain services. Moreover, ensure that the moving company is open to discussing and negotiating prices based on various factors. Ask for a breakdown of expenses according to the move size, additional services, and distance traveled.
The most important thing to ask and make sure of is the possibility of extra charges. These include parking, toll, fuel fee, varying prices for fragile and heavy items, handling special requirements, etc. Some moving companies may charge extra if you move into an apartment building, requiring them to transport your luggage up multiple flights of stairs. Reviewing any extra charges upfront would allow you to make accurate estimates.
Conclusion
When hiring a moving company, make sure to select a local one that provides all the services you need and understands local routes.
Moreover, verify the moving company’s credentials, including licensures and insurance, to ensure their legitimacy. You can also review previous clients’ feedback and reviews and ask the company to provide a list of referrals to determine their market reputation.
Lastly, make sure that you get a comprehensive list of costs involved in the move to minimize the chances of additional or extra charges. This will help you to plan your move within your budget.
Safe moving!
