Collaborative Post¦ Whether you’re a seasoned mover or newbie, moving is always a stressful, horrifying couple of months. Moving locally may be something you’ve done before, but cross-country is another kettle of fish. It’s a much longer, more involved process that will probably strip you of your will to live by the end of it. Jokes aside, you’ll want to make it as easy as possible on yourself, and that’s where the professionals come in.
Finding the right company can seem like a nightmare on its own, but if you just put a little time and effort into it at the beginning, the rest will be smooth sailing. Here’s how to make it as easy as possible.
Research
The internet is a magical treasure trove of information and using it to discover everything you can about the company you intend to hire, is a no brainer. A moving cost calculator is a great place to start. It will give you a list of possible moving companies and rough estimates. From there, you can research the movers, their reputation, location, average costing, and of course, reviews!
Online reviews can sometimes be stilted but the vast majority of the time, they can give you a very clear idea of what kind of company you’re in for. Most of the big social media sites and of course, good old Yelp, will tell you all about the company’s ethics, reliability, cost, timeliness and whether people got their items safe and sound. Another great option is the Better Business Bureau, as those reviews are legitimate and cannot be doctored.
Obviously, asking people you know is another fantastic way to get ideas. Local people, other parents, colleagues, or friends can recommend which companies they used and whether they had a good experience. Nextdoor.com is a social networking site for local communities, and a great way to make friends and get advice from locals.
Subcontractors and Estimates
Once you’ve got a decent list of cross country moving companies, you can begin to contact and get more information from them. One of the best questions to ask is whether they will be handling all of the work themselves or subcontracting some or all of it. Many companies do this, and though it can work, it can also mean you may be getting less than professional service, so once again, information is your weapon. Ask about whether they are insured, and make sure you’re really comfortable before making the choice.
You’ll be getting online moving quotes and estimates, and this is the time to carefully consider what the service is worth to you. If it’s going to save you hours, stress, and terror, it’s probably totally worth it. You may be offered a binding or non-binding estimate. Both are fine, as long as you are comfortable, and be sure to provide your belonging’s accurate weight, to avoid any nasty fees on the day.
Final considerations
Choose a company you’re happy with. Go with your gut. If you’re displeased with a company’s handling of the quotes, or just overall demeanour, don’t hesitate to move on. You owe nothing for asking about a quote, and businesses understand this. If you’ve done your research and know what you’re in for, you should have a smooth move and easy start in your new home.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.