How to Find the Best Relocation Company

Relocating to a new location is not an easy task – however, in some cases, it becomes even harder due to improper practices and a lack of work ethics on the part of the relocation company. There is no doubt that a good moving service can streamline the relocation process significantly, making it much easier and quicker. In the same way, one that is not professional can stretch the process out and make it much longer and more sluggish than it has to be.

Additionally, in some cases, one can even run into rogue moving companies that misplace or even steal the belongings of their customers. Criminal practices like these might sound like they only happen once in a blue moon, but you’d be surprised at just how often they occur. This is why it is absolutely imperative to rely on a trustworthy relocation company that not only provides you with excellent services but also does their work in a professional and sincere manner.

However, the question remains, HOW are you supposed to find a company that can uphold these values? The truth is that as impossible as this task sounds, it is actually quite simple. With a bit of research, you can easily find the very best moving company for your relocation.

The following are a series of steps that you can follow to ensure that you find the perfect moving company in your area.

Step 1: Get Recommendations

The most candid advice is that which is given by close friends and family. Their personal experiences can allow you to more clearly understand the services of the companies they have tried out in the past, more so than any review you can find online (we all know those can easily be faked). Asking friends, co-workers, colleagues or family members can be the first step towards finding a good moving company.

In addition to this, it’s always recommended to assess all of the options available to you, as opposed to simply going with whatever company is the most popular one near you.  Companies with big names often have to stick to a certain code of conduct, but that doesn’t mean that their services cannot be a bit unprofessional at times. Additionally, they charge quite a lot and in many cases, this extra charge isn’t for a superior service, but simply because of their name which garners a lot of attention and popularity.

In any case, instead of searching on Google and picking the first name that pops up, doing some research and getting a few recommendations from close friends and family members can allow you to survey the industry properly and draft the first list that you will eventually narrow down to one company.

Step 2: Make a List of Choices

Once the initial research process is over and you have taken a look at the companies that could suit your needs, make a list of the top 5 or 10 choices. From there on, don’t go back to any other names – carry out further research only on the options on the list. This will allow you to get a deeper insight into the services of a few of the best companies instead of getting a vague idea about a couple of dozen firms.

Through some quick background checks, you can make sure that a particular company is reliable, professional, and perfect for your needs. Contacting organizations like the Better Business Bureau can also be helpful in this regard.

Step 3: Estimate the Cost

After the last step, you must have shortened your list further to omit companies for being unreliable or just not suitable for your relocation. You will now be left with only a few companies on the list. This is when you can begin taking things to the next level. Cost is something that will undoubtedly act as a major player in the decision. It is important to get a good and effective service, but if it comes at a cost that is just too much for you to bear, then can it really be called a good offer?

This is why making sure you are getting the best deal, i.e. the best services at the most affordable price, is important. Call the companies you have on your list and ask for a quote or an estimate for the relocation process for your particular location. Costs can be determined based on the location, the distance of the trip, the weight of the items being carried, and many other things. Once you have an estimate from all companies in hand, you can compare them better and choose one that provides the best services while staying within your budget.

Step 4: Have a Thorough Estimation Check

Most companies will want to carry out an estimation check before they can give you an accurate quote. As such, they will have someone from the company give you a visit to check the number of items that are to be transported, determine the distance that is to be covered, and inquire about many other details that are important for the process.

It is imperative for you to make sure that you show the company all of your items that are to be moved during this visit. Even smaller goods that you might think can be taken away without any sort of charge, should be made visible. While you may not be hiding any details on purpose, having incomplete information can cause the company to give you an inaccurate estimate, causing issues later on. In such a situation, you may end up being forced to pay more than the amount that was shared with you earlier on. In the worst case scenario, the extra charge will be much more than the original estimate and you will have to pay it as you can’t leave the process in the middle.

This is why having a thorough estimation check not only prevents the chances of you losing money unjustly in the long run but also keeps everything between you and your moving company quite transparent. Detailing some important intricacies about the move to your mover is also recommended. Things such as the nearby location and environment can prevent disturbances for you, your neighbours, and the movers.

Step 5: Compare the Bids

Once you have estimates from various companies, the next step is to check which company provides the best price. It is important to understand that the ‘best price’ doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest price. Instead, it refers to the best value for your money, that is, the most affordable service that doesn’t compromise on quality.

That said, it is best to steer clear of a company that offers their services at a price that seems too good to be true – because it probably is. These services are often not the most reliable ones that are available. Call and resolve your queries if you feel like any of the estimations are unclear. Feel free to negotiate the price – movers have to deal with competitors so they are likely to treat their customers well and provide any kind of relief they can so they do not lose the client.

Step 6: Check for the Tell-Tale Signs of a Bad Mover

Certain bad movers can easily be detected upon the first contact. They have all the characteristics of unprofessional service providers – even if they aren’t visible the first time around, they begin getting more and more evident with further meetings. When they do, it is recommended to not take your dealings with the company any further.

Some signs that one should look out for are discussed below:

• Any mover that doesn’t agree to an on-site inspection of your goods and instead gives a final estimate over the phone can often not be trusted. Usually, the estimate is quite low and it is only at the time of the move that they drastically increase their cost, saying that the actual amount of goods to be transported is much more than what was initially anticipated.
• A company that requires you to deposit a large amount prior to the move actually taking place should not be trusted.
• Does the website of the company not provide any form of licensing information and not have a local address mentioned? It’s probably a scam. A call to the company will often end in an automated message being played that is generic, instead of giving any details about the company.
• The moving vehicle is your usual rental vehicle as opposed to a company truck.

Step 7: Review Your Selected Company’s License and Insurance Information and You’re Done!

The final step is to check whether or not your selected company can legally operate as a business at all. This can be done on safersys.org, the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Once you have confirmed that your hired company is legit and that all of their information is up-to-date and correct, you can begin the relocation process and expect a safe and sound journey.

Ending Note

If you carry out all of the steps mentioned above, there is very little chance you will go wrong and hire an unreliable company. This should alleviate some of the stress you have been facing with regards to your move, so stop worrying and start searching. May you find the best relocation service that is perfect for your unique needs!