If you have a home relocation on the calendar, you may already be calling around to moving companies for estimates and availability. The mover you select can make the difference between a successful moving day and one full of unforeseen complications.
First Class Moving Systems, Inc. is a trusted moving team that knows a thing or two about delivering quality moving services, holding a "Quality Mover Award" from North American Van Lines to demonstrate this. Below is a list of questions we believe any homeowner should ask a potential moving company to help discern reliable businesses from inexperienced ones.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
The first thing you should ask any mover is whether they are licensed and insured. Licensure acts as proof that a mover is legally permitted to offer their services within a certain state and is a testament to their professional standard. Additionally, working with an insured mover means you're protected against things like property damage, personal injury or accountability if something goes wrong.
2. How Long Have You Been in Business?
The next thing you'll want to know is how long a mover has been in business. A lot can be gauged from the longevity of a business, such as level of experience or overall reliability. The longer their history, the more stable and trustworthy their service is likely to be. While there may be some new companies that offer excellent service, this question is still definitely worth asking.
3. Can I See References or Reviews?
Who better to tell you about the quality of a moving company than the previous customers themselves? Another thing to check on before hiring residential movers is their reputation with other homeowners that have utilized their services. If you see hundreds of 5-stars, words of praise, and a long list of happy customers, chances are you can expect the same, too.
4. What Services are Included in Your Quote?
To avoid unwanted surprises come moving day, make sure to ask a moving company what all is included in their estimate. This eliminates the chance of hidden fees and makes sure you're getting the assistance you need. It will also help you compare the quality of each mover. We also suggest asking your mover what type of quote you've been given, like:
- Binding: A binding estimate is a fixed price, and will not change.
- Non-Binding: This type of quote is a "best guess" and the final price may vary.
- Binding-Not-to-Exceed: With this option, your final price will either be the exact quote or lower.
5. Do You Provide Long or Short-Term Storage?
Relocations often leave folks in need of additional space, but reasons vary greatly from one person to the next. One customer might need a quick fix until newly-purchased furniture can be moved into their new home, while another might be interested a more permanent home for seasonal items. We recommend asking your mover if they offer short or long-term storage to make sure you get the solution you need.
6. Do You Handle Specialty Items?
Did you know that many items in your home may require specialized moving solutions? Because of this, we recommend checking to see if a potential mover handles specialty items so you don't end up calling a second company to tackle a few leftover pieces. Common items that require specialized moving techniques or equipment include:
- Pianos
- Vehicles & Motorcycles
- Hot Tubs & Pool Tables
- Safes
- Antiques & Fine Art
- Large Framed Mirrors
Wherever you are headed, let First Class Moving get you there swiftly, safely and seamlessly. We're agents of North American Van Lines, so our local and long-distance movers have access to reliable equipment, trained personnel, and state-of-the-art technology, allowing us to continually exceed customer expectations while still offering affordable pricing. Get in touch with us today to learn more, and for a free estimate on our moving and storage services.
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