Finding the Best Moving Companies

The best moving companies are those that offer the greatest number of services for the lowest rates. They will be cooperative, courteous, and willing to design a moving plan to your specifications. When looking for a company to move your belongings, you need to have a plan and know what to look for.

Plan ahead

Unless you are making an emergency or spur of the moment move, you should allow two or three months to plan your move and find a moving company.

1. Contact local real estate agencies – Because they are in a business that has contact with people who are moving, a local agency should have a list of moving companies and what customers have to say about them. Cross-reference recommendations from three or four agencies to compile a list.

2. Call moving companies with offices in your area – Working with locally based companies, even if they are a national firm, allows you to inspect their facilities and equipment. Also, it provides you with a personal contact if there are questions or problems.

3. Arrange for an in-home visit – A reputable company will visit your home to make arrangements and give you an estimate, basing it on the approximate weight of your belongings, the distance travelled, and additional services you might need, most notably if they will be packing your belongings for you. Schedule a visit from all the companies on your list, and be sure to leave the paperwork from earlier estimates in plain view. If they offer to do an over the phone estimate, politely decline and cross them off your list.

4. Ask for a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” – Federal law requires that moving firms provide this document. If they decline or hem and haw about giving you a copy (they should have a copy with them), thank them for their and cross them off your list.

5. Gather the following information –

a. Full business name of the company (including any other names they may do business under)

b. Address, phone number(s), email address, website address of the company

c. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers

d. References

6. Call the references given by both the real estate agency and the moving company.

7. Go to the website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) - Check the licensing numbers they gave you, the details of their insurance, their authorization to transport goods to your destination, and all the details about the company.

Closing the deal

Once you have all the details, you should be able to make a sound, informed decision for finding the best moving companies. Telephone the company that meets your parameters, and arrange for a contract based on the figures from the estimate you were given. Go over the contract with the company to make sure you understand all of its provisions. One final note, the best moving companies will not ask for full or partial payment up front. Payment is made when everything contracted for is completed.