How to Choose Your Mover
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Once the excitement of moving into your dream home or apartment has died down, the reality and often dread of THE MOVE will most likely settle in.
Not to worry. Hiring a professional mover is like hiring any other professional: do your homework first. “Homework” is defined as studying what mover is professional and what mover isn’t.
For example, use a licensed mover. The internet is filled with horror stories of home owners who hire a “Craigslist” mover only to find out much too late that they’ve hired a scammer. That is, the “movers” who hold their client’s possessions in trucks and will only release them to the homeowner only after a “hefty ransom fee” is paid. Legitimate moving companies are overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is part of the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT). Unfortunately, the FMCSA has only nine investigators to handle thousands of complaints which are lodged against moving companies each year. If an investigation does occur, it takes months, even years for the FMCSA just to fine the moving company.
If you can’t decide on a mover yourself, call some local real estate agents. They’ll point you to moving companies that have REAL offices in your area. These REAL companies have been in business at least ten years.
Here are five ways to find out if your moving company is the real deal:
• Find the full company name and any DBA (doing business as) names then:
• Find out how long they’ve been in business.
• Get the company address and references.
• Get all phone numbers (local and toll-free) and e-mail addresses.
• Get DOT and MC license numbers. Once you have them, check the license information on www.SaferSys.org. This site was developed by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and allows you to search motor carrier’s licensing information.
Once you’ve weeded out the bad moving companies, set up appointments for the REAL ones to come to your home to do an in-home estimate. If a moving company refuses to come to your house to do an in-home estimate, find another company-and make sure this company will do the move themselves. You don’t want them to sub-contract out the job. To be 100% sure they’re legit, visit their office. Or, examine their trucks. If their trucks are permanently marked with the company’s name, that’s a great sign that the company is VERY legit!
Of course, shop around for the best deal. For instance, after a moving company gives you an estimate based on what they saw in your house, leave the paperwork out so as the next moving company can see it. If there’s a marked difference in pricing, ask why. You’ll (hopefully) find out the reason for a higher or lower price is because of: (1) the amount of insurance involved or (2) your possessions’ valuation.
But: if the mover gives you a quote based on cubic feet, find another mover!
Once a contract is presented to you, know what you’re signing. Take your time and read the document–especially any “small print.”
If everything looks okay to you (and another pair of eyes), sign and get ready to move!
