Whether you’re moving your belongings into a new home or a storage unit, it can be a very stressful, complicated time. Once you know where you’re going, it’s time to figure out how you’re going. Hiring the right moving company, especially if you don’t have any prior experience, can be a confusing and overwhelming decision. Here are five tips to get you started:
1. Look for Recommendations
Sometimes the best referral is word of mouth. Sure, you can read their company website, visit their Facebook page, and call to speak with someone, but that’s always going to present the company’s best face. Get real reviews and recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers who have gone through the experience already.
2. Look for a License
For your own safety and the safety of your belongings, don’t trust any “professional” movers without a license to operate. While the requirements for interstate moving companies differ based on the state, an out-of-state move requires licensing by the federal government and a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), number, both of which you can confirm online with just the company’s name.
3. Look for Companies That Haven’t Changed Names
When researching potential moving companies, it’s important to steer clear of companies that have undergone multiple name changes. Many times, this is a sign they’re trying to avoid the Better Business Bureau or stop you from finding customer complaints. If you’re unsure, you can always contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to learn more about their history.
4. Look for a Thorough Estimate
If you’re asking for a quote for moving all of your belongings, they should be asking more questions than “what day?” before they give you a quote. A good moving company will want to know if it’s a house or apartment, how many stories/what floor you live on, whether there’s an elevator, etc. They’ll also want to know how many rooms, whether you’re taking large appliances, what size the beds and furniture are, and much more.
5. Look in the Mirror!
If you’d rather save yourself the potential aggravation (and expense) that may come with hiring professional movers, you can skip it altogether and do it yourself. This ensures all of your belongings are properly packed, stacked, and safely transported and you can usually enlist the help of a few friends if you spring for the pizza. Moving things into storage and want to save even more? Look for a storage company that provides a free truck on move-in day, like Secure Self Storage.
Now that you know how to hire the best movers—or do it yourself for free—it’s time to find the best storage solution too. Contact the professionals at Secure Self Storage to learn more about their affordable, secure, climate-controlled storage units.