How to choose a reliable moving company

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Spring is here and that means thousands of American families will be their making plans to sell their homes, getting ready to relocate for a new job, or scheduling their move during a time when the kids aren't in school.

Moving is a big decision and so is choosing the company to care for your possessions. Whether moving within your state or out-of-state, you want to make sure you hire the right people. Want to hire a reliable mover? Read on.

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Moving is an overwhelming task in itself and you might not know where to start. If so you aren’t alone. Many other people have been through the process and it’s helpful to start with people you know.

• Ask family, friends, and colleagues.
• If working with a real estate agent, ask who he/she recommends.
• Check online reviews for local and long-distance movers.
• Visit the Better Business Bureau website to check out specific movers.

Once you’ve done the research it’s time to contact the companies you’ve selected. Always try to get more than one estimate.

Qualities to look for in a moving company

Once you’ve narrowed it down a few companies, check to see if the companies you’ve selected are licensed by your state’s official agency if you are planning to move in-state. If you are moving out of state, see if the company is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Questions to ask potential moving companies

Be sure to ask lots of questions. What are the terms? Extra fees? It’s not uncommon for the final cost to be a bit higher than the original estimate. However, these shouldn’t be excessive. Also, in addition to pricing, you’ll want to know specifics about the company and how they operate.

• Is the company doing the moving itself or is it contracting to other companies?
• How long has the company been in business?
• Does the company have a physical address, phone number, and email address?
• Are they insured?

Talk to the company in-depth before signing any agreements, this way you have an idea of any potential extra costs that might be involved and you can also get a vibe about the company itself. Unfortunately, there are a lot of moving scams out there. Several years ago when I moved from one state to another, it took me about a month to get my stuff out of a storage facility in a third state. Turned out the company had no intentions to deliver until it had other moves through my area. It didn't occur to me that our possessions could be held "hostage" until the company was ready to deliver.

Understand the terms

Always insist upon an in-person estimate. Make sure the company is willing to come and assess what you own, how much you are moving, and how far you’re going. You want to meet the people who will be handling your valuable and prized possessions. Be sure to show the person doing the estimate everything you plan to move, don’t forget your attic, basement, shed, or other storage areas you might have stuff stowed away in. This way you get a better and more accurate estimate and ensures there are no surprises or extra fees you didn’t know were coming when the job is complete.

Other things to remember

• Never use an unlicensed mover, always check to see they are licensed to be a mover
• Be sure to get an “Order of Service” that lists the estimate you were given
• Keep copies of anything you sign
• Make your own inventory
• Understand the insurance policy and how purchasing additional insurance works
• Don’t pay cash, use credit in case you don’t receive your possessions

Moving is typically a stressful event for most people, especially if the move is to unfamiliar territory. But even if the move is a local one or to someplace you’ve been before, hiring a reliable mover can help the task go much more smoothly.