Packing up all of your belongings and moving to a whole new home is undoubtedly stressful, whether you’re moving across town or across the country. While hiring skilled and dependable movers can greatly lessen the load of a move, hiring the wrong company can turn an annoying process into a disastrous one. Here’s how you can avoid making mistakes when hiring a mover:
Get A Referral
While this is hardly new advice, using word-of-mouth to pick the best company is the most reliable method for a reason. If any of your friends has made a move in the past, ask them which company they used and whether they had a good experience. If you noticed a new household moving in down the street, this is a great opportunity to get a referral and meet your new neighbors! If all else fails, Yelp is your friend.
Shop Around
If you select your mover after only consulting with one company, you’re doing it wrong. Even if you’re just moving down the street, it’s good to get quotes from at least three companies—five would be ideal—to get a better sense of market prices and quality.
Make Sure the Price is Right
The cost of a cross-country move will average at just under $5,000. If you’ve done your homework and consulted with multiple moving companies, one quote might be substantially lower than the others. Don’t jump at this reduced price without considering other factors, as it might be from a ill-reputed company looking to lure you in, or might not cover everything the other companies would. Watch out for hidden fees throughout the moving process, and don’t pay movers to pack up boxes for you if your family can do it by yourselves.