How to find a good mover that fits your budget and will not lose the truck.
The process of finding a good moving service can seem a bit overwhelming. But, if you do a little bit of research prior to hiring a company it is well worth it. By shopping around, you will be able to save money as well as avoiding scams. Here are 3 very important steps that can help you through the process of finding the right moving service for you.
Get Recommendations
Ask around; ask your friends, neighbors, coworkers, as well as your local real estate agents. Start by looking in the yellow pages (well now a days we just google things), for moving companies that have offices in your area. You will want to have an in-person estimate of how much your move will cost you. Do not rely on an estimate that has been given to you over the phone from a person who has not looked in everyone of your closets. Do not just go for those websites that offer to find you a mover, do the leg work yourself, you will be able to avoid scams that way.
Conduct an Initial Screening
When you have compiled your list of recommended moving companies, go online in order to do a quick background check (after thinning down your list, you can do a more thorough check later). Go to the website or even call the Better Business Bureau. You are also able to call or email the American Moving and Storage Association in order to find out if a moving company is a member or not. If they are this means that they have agreed to abide by the organization’s published tariffs as well as to participate in its arbitration program. AMSA membership is on a voluntary basis. As long as a moving company checks out good in all of the other checks conducted, the fact that it is not a member of the AMSA should not rule that company out.
Make sure that you also check the consumer advocacy sites, each of these sites contain a blacklist of companies with a history of consumer complaints. You are also able to do a search for a specific company on the Rip-off Report website.
You Should End Up With 3 or 4 Companies
By this time you should have narrowed your list down to 3 or 4 companies to call for an actual in home estimate. If you are moving out of state, make sure to ask if that company will supply you with a written binding estimate or, a binding that does not exceed the estimate that was given. Both of these types of binding put a cap on what that company can charge you for your move. While non-binding estimates are in fact legal, you should in fact expect the final cost to be more than what was estimated. While interstate movers are actually allowed to charge for a binding estimate, most reputable ones will offer them for free.
Of course, if you're looking for some of the best movers in the area then speak with us here at Music City Movers. We are insured and professional, so you know you're getting the best deal when you give us a call. Make sure to ask about our current moving specials that we are running.
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