Are you looking to move this year? Moving is one of the most stressful and labor-intensive events in life. Most people choose to hire a moving company to make the process easier and less time-consuming. But you should note that the ultimate success of your residential move will depend on which mover you choose. Today there are so many illegal moving companies that won’t hesitate to take advantage of you if they get a chance.
To protect yourself from such fraudsters and keep your items safe, you need to research thoroughly and make sure you find a reputable, experienced, and trustworthy mover. In this article, we have rounded up a few tips to help you find the right mover for you.
1. Get Written Estimates
To protect yourself from moving fraud, ensure you get written cost estimates from several reputable moving companies in your area. The estimates should be calculated based on a physical inspection of your apartment or home and the items you want to move. The survey of your home is important for getting accurate estimates that reflect your actual relocation cost. Avoid movers that give quotes only via email or over the phone without an actual survey of your home.
2. Be Wary of Movers That Extremely Low Estimates
Don’t be tempted to choose movers that happen to be way cheaper than other moving companies. This is because a “low-ball” quote could be a sign that the company is a fraud or a dishonest mover that’s trying to entice you and disappear with your money or increase the price after the move.
So, when comparing movers, don’t just look at the estimates but consider other factors such as reputation, experience, licensing, etc.
3. Hire Only a Licensed Mover
Make sure you work only with a licensed moving company such as Pronto Moving and Delivery to protect yourself from scammers. In the U.S., all interstate movers must be registered with and licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) so that they operate legally.
Also, check if the company has a USDOT number which is issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Thus agency requires that all cross-country movers meet certain safety and financial standards in order to operate.
For moves within a state, the requirements for movers vary so check with your state attorney general or local consumer affairs agency.
4. Read Online Reviews and Check the Company’s Rating
It’s important to ensure that your mover has a solid reputation. You can determine your mover’s reputation by reading their online customer reviews either on their website or on other review sites. As a rule of thumb, say NO to professional movers that have a low overall rating or too many negative reviews as this means they offer low-quality services.
Hopefully, these tips will help you find a mover you can trust with your belongings. If you live in Los Angeles, you can count on Pronto Moving and Delivery to safely move your house or office. Visit prontomovinganddelivery.com to learn more about their services.
