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12 Tips for Hiring High-Quality Movers
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Mental health experts cite moving as one of the most stressful life events. There are a lot of reasons for that, of course. Often, moving involves leaving friends and family behind, starting a new job, and having to devote significant energy to the task of organizing and packing your belongings. Once you arrive at your new home, there’s still much to do. Overall, moving is a draining experience.
But there is at least one way to minimize the trauma of moving, and that’s choosing the right moving company. A great moving company can be an ally in organizing your move, ensuring that your belongings will arrive on time and in good condition. The wrong moving company, on the other hand, can really screw you up.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 12 tips that will guide you toward the best possible, low-stress moving experience. They’re simple, easy-to-follow tips, but they do take some time to implement. Do the work, though. It can mean the difference between a quick, largely painless move and a months-long moving nightmare.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Tips for Hiring High-Quality Movers
- Tips for Hiring High-Quality Movers FAQs
- How We Chose our Tips for High-Quality Movers
Tip #1: Do ample research on the moving companies you’re considering
A good way to start your research is by reading our Guide to the Best Moving Companies, where we explore the pros, cons, and services offered by multiple well-known moving companies. In our guide, we name the Best Long Distance Moving Companies and the Best Interstate Moving Companies, based on our comprehensive review of the industry.
Another way to scope out a mover for trustworthiness is to note how long the company has been in business. Unfortunately, the moving industry is rife with fly-by-night companies that don’t have a track record of providing high-quality service or perpetrate downright moving scams. Sometimes companies with poor reputations do name switches: they start doing business under a new name so they’re not associated with poor reviews and a subpar safety record. In general, avoid companies that have changed their names. That’s one red flag that a moving company may not be on the up-and-up.
Tip #2: Get estimates from multiple companies
Moving prices vary according to many factors: the size of your move, your location, the layout of your existing home and your new home, and more. You may also need special services like packing services or temporary storage of your belongings. To get the best deal on moving, it makes sense to request apples-to-apples free quotes from several companies. Know your cost options in advance. Barring other considerations like a moving company’s safety record or consumer reputation, spending less on moving can help reduce stress on your budget.
Equally important is the process moving companies use to provide an estimate. Beware of companies that base their estimates on your filling out a website form. Insist that the moving company perform an at-home walk-through video inspection of your home. Problems arise when moving companies claim that consumers made mistakes in describing the job that needs to be done. That’s often what leads to additional fees being levied by a moving company after they’ve completed your move.
Tip #3: Create a complete, written inventory of your belongings
Moving can be chaotic. So much stuff everywhere! It’s always a good idea to declutter before you move. Selling or discarding items you’re not using will bring the cost of your move down. After you’ve taken that important step, it’s essential to create a written record of the belongings you’re moving: the more detailed the better. The dresser that came from your grandma’s home should be listed as an “antique” dresser, for example. If you have to make a claim under your mover’s value protection plan or insurance, there’s less chance your claim will be denied if you have kept an inventory list.
In addition, providing an accurate inventory is one way to prevent surprises down the road. Movers can assess extra charges based on customers not having provided complete information on a job.
Tip #4: Insist on having a written moving contract
Any reputable moving company will provide you with a written moving contract. Some companies provide blank contracts on their websites. If you have the opportunity to review a blank contract, take it.
Among other things, a contract will contain details of what you’ll spend on your move, the moving date deadlines that must be met, extra fees you may be liable for, and more. Bear in mind that, while contracts protect both parties, in general, moving contracts are written to favor moving companies’ interests. They may not be entirely transparent when it comes to detailing additional costs. So read your contract carefully and if there’s anything in it that disturbs you, raise the issue with your moving company. Knowing your contract inside and out is one way to avoid extra charges.
Tip #5: Inquire about the company’s moving insurance or value protection options
Accidents and losses happen — unfortunately more often than we’d like. Be sure your moving company offers adequate coverage for lost or damaged items. Many moving companies offer you a choice of insurance coverage limits: the standard (also known as release value protection) and full-value protection.
Release value coverage is almost laughable — federal law dictates that insurance companies pay just 60 cents per pound per item lost or damaged. Think about it. Under release value coverage, the expensive vintage guitar collection you’ve curated over the years might only be covered for a few dollars per guitar. That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase additional insurance.
Full value protection costs more—usually between 1% and 4% of the total value of your belongings — but it’s the much safer way to travel. Some consumers opt to purchase third-party moving insurance, which costs extra still. But if you own a lot of pricey things and don’t want to get a lot of arguments when you make a claim, third-party insurance may make sense for you. Keeping a precise inventory of your belongings will help you get adequately compensated in the event of a loss. Receipts for high-value purchases can’t hurt, either.
Tip #6: Check the company out on the United States Department of Transportation website
All moving companies are required by law to register with the US Department of Transportation. That’s required of local movers, intrastate movers, interstate movers, and international moving companies. Once registered, the company is assigned a DOT number. Moving companies should display their DOT number(s) on their websites.
We recommend that, before you sign a moving contract, you search the DOT database by the company’s DOT number — or name if the number isn’t available — to read about the company. The DOT, in cooperation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, reports on various statistics that can help inform your decision on which moving company to hire, including the size of its fleet, the number of inspections the company had in a given year, the number of crashes reported, and more.
Here is the link to the DOT website: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Tip #7: Ask for references
Professional moving companies are a lot like restaurants and plumbers — they have satisfied and dissatisfied customers.That’s why, when we want to dine out or have a sink replaced in our home, we ask around for recommendations. And so you should with moving companies.
If you have a friend or family member who recently moved, ask which company he or she has used and whether it was a positive experience. Did the company meet its delivery deadline? Did it stick to its quote or were there surprise charges? Were belongings delivered in good shape? These are all pertinent questions.
You should also ask any company you’re considering to provide you with references — preferably local ones. They should be readily able to provide you with a list of satisfied customers. Find out what your neighbors think. Ask an experienced real estate agent. Reading moving company reviews published by such companies as Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Google can also give you an idea of a company’s know-how and how well it performs in the real world.
Tip #8: Verify the techniques used to secure items during transit
We can’t all be experts at loading a truck, but we sure want our movers to be. When assessing a moving company, it’s a good idea to ask them what techniques they use to keep your belongings safe as they make their way to your new home. Be sure the company’s answers align with the best practices in the industry.
The first step in preparing for a damage-free move is lining the truck floor with cushioning blankets or tarps. Movers should load heavy items into a truck first, then secure them with sturdy tie-downs, so objects don’t move during transit. Heavy items should be distributed for weight to make for a smoother ride. From that point forward, the truck should be loaded in tiers, with lighter objects on top, and should be tightly packed to prevent shifting on the road.
Tip #9: Verify the company’s policy on rescheduling or canceling moves
Moving is a time-sensitive operation. It takes weeks or more to prepare for your departure date. Often we have commitments when we arrive at our new destination — starting a new job, for example. Or perhaps you’ve arranged to take vacation time just following your move date so you can settle into your new home more comfortably. Any hiccup in your moving schedule can cause tremendous inconvenience. That’s why we ask movers to commit to a timeline. But what if that timeline is disrupted due to actions by your moving company or even your own? You should know what you’re getting into.
Every moving company has its own policy around cancellation. But if you cancel your move, you can expect to pay some kind of penalty. Canceling your move weeks in advance will cost you less than if you cancel your move at the last minute. Read your moving contract to be sure what your financial risks are when you cancel. You may forfeit the significant deposit you paid when you hired your moving company.
According to the FMCSA, if your mover fails to deliver your belongings by your agreed upon date, you may have some recourse. If the delivery delay results in you losing money or having to spend money you wouldn’t have otherwise had to pay, you may be entitled to reimbursement of those expenses. Contact your mover and say you want to file an inconvenience or delay claim. But again, read your contract carefully before signing it. Moving companies often build in loopholes to get around having to compensate you for a missed delivery date.
Tip #10: Ask about the company’s policy on handling fragile items
You’d think that damage to fragile items while in transit would be covered under your mover’s standard insurance coverage (up to $0.60 per pound) or under the full value protection you purchase. But if you pack your items yourself, chances are, it won’t be. The details are in your moving contract and you should understand the limits of your coverage before signing it.
Most moving companies will only compensate you for damage to fragile items if you hire them to do the packing for you. Frustrating, isn’t it? If you do decide to pack your own belongings, the best way to protect yourself is to use professional packing materials and techniques. You can research the best ways to pack on many moving company websites. Your local U-Haul store can also provide advice on the subject.
In addition, consider purchasing private moving insurance through a reputable insurance company. And in any case, keeping a photographic inventory of your fragile items is a good idea. You may have to prove that a fragile item was damaged while in transit, not before it was packed.
Tip #11: Confirm your payment options and make sure they suit you
Moving companies typically accept a variety of payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards. You may want to use several methods, such as a credit card to put down a deposit and a personal check to pay your remaining balance when your move is completed. If you’re accustomed to making payments through a payment app like Venmo or Apple Wallet, make sure your moving company accepts these new payment methods if you don’t want to be inconvenienced at the last moment.
Tip #12: Verify the timeline for pick up and delivery
Be sure your moving contract specifies both your pick-up date and your delivery date. That’s a given. But, sad to say, you can’t count on every moving company every time to keep its promises.
Often, delays are due to the fact that your moving truck may contain other people’s belongings. One delay can snowball into multiple delays if you’re not first in line. Ideally, you’ll be the first move scheduled for a truck, but you really have no control over that.
Should a delay occur, you may have some recourse. But the best course of action is preventative. Hire a moving company that has a demonstrable record of fulfilling its promises. Getting references and reading consumer reviews can help you pick the most reliable moving company.
Tips for Hiring High-Quality Movers FAQs
How We Chose the Best Tips for Hiring Quality Movers
We consulted the experts: top-rated moving companies and consumers who have experience moving cross-town or across the globe. And we used our own extensive knowledge of the moving industry, gleaned from having reviewed dozens of moving companies over the years, from the best long distance moving companies nationwide to the best moving companies in Florida.
Good movers are invested in providing smooth, stress-free services. To that end, they do their best to educate consumers on what to do to ensure a positive moving experience. Some of our tips come directly from moving checklists and blog articles published by moving companies and professional moving associations.
But we also studied online reviews of consumers’ moving experiences, whether positive or negative. We read reviews of moving companies on the Better Business Bureau website, Trustpilot, and Google. We noted common problems, many of which are avoidable if consumers follow best moving practices. That’s why so many of our tips direct you to becoming well-informed: because the best moves are those without any surprises.
