Moving homes or relocating a business can be somewhat overwhelming as far as the logistics are concerned. You have to pack all your goods, deal with heavy furniture and appliances, and secure valuable items during the move. You may also need to hire vans to carry all your stuff to your new location.
By enlisting a reliable moving company, relocating does not have to be complicated. From the packing and loading to the heavy lifting, the moving firm will take care of everything to ensure a smooth and seamless relocation.
However, choosing the right moving company is an entirely different process. You have to research and conduct thorough background checks to avoid fraudsters and ensure you are hiring the right movers.
Fortunately, we are here to help. Below are a few tips that you can use to choose the right moving company for your relocation needs:
Get Recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find a reputable moving firm is by asking for referrals from your loved ones. Recommendations from your family, friends, or co-workers might prove the difference, especially if they’ve worked with a particular moving firm of late.
They may advise you on what companies to consider or steer away from, based on their experience.
Read Online Review
Looking at online reviews can help paint an accurate picture of what kind of company you are about to enlist. The comments highlight the positive and negative experiences of past clients.
You can start by visiting the company’s website and reading what other customers are saying. However, some companies tend to filter out negative comments, only displaying positive reviews on their website.
For this reason, consider visiting independent review sites like TrustPilot and Better Business Bureau to find out more about the company.
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Verify the Mover’s Credentials
Verifying the credentials of the various moving companies will help narrow down your options. After all, not all companies are legitimate movers but scammers out to defraud unsuspicious customers.
Start by checking if the company has a valid physical address to dispel any fears of working with fraudsters. Verify whether the company has a business license or permit and confirm their registration with the relevant regulatory agencies.
Remember to inquire about professional accreditation and determine whether the company has liability insurance coverage to ensure your goods are safe during transit.
Request for Pickup and Delivery Timelines
Whether you are moving homes or relocating your business, the moving process should be swift and within your timelines to avoid inconveniences. Any extra minute spent outside the agreed period might result in financial losses.
For this reason, consider picking a mover with flexible timelines to fit your needs and preferences.
Ask the moving company how you can contact them to avoid misunderstandings regarding the delivery of your goods.
Find Out About Additional Services
Moving is not just about packing your belongings and loading them onto the van. It also involves securing valuable items, assembling and disassembling furniture and appliances, crane-lifting heavy loads, and unpacking and arranging goods in the new home or office.
You can opt to undertake these tasks yourself, but they might take a toll on you. To save time and energy, find out if the moving company can handle these tasks and the expected costs for the additional services.
Obtain Written Estimates
Do not enlist the first moving company that comes your way. It would be best to compare prices by obtaining written estimates from at least three different companies as a general rule of thumb.
You can quickly tell which company is trying to fleece you by comparing the bids on the table. Avoid companies that ask for large down payments and keep off movers with unrealistically low estimates, as they might have hidden fees that might pop up later.
Compare Moving Costs Against Your Budget
Hiring a moving company might cost a bit of money but the services offered are worth every penny you have to pay. However, this does not mean you should ignore your initial budget.
The comparison will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay to facilitate your move. It will also help you determine whether it’s worth hiring a moving company.
Opt for Local Movers
Unless you are relocating to a different province, state, or country, consider hiring local moving companies in Parksville, BC.
It is easy to verify the physical address of a local mover, and the chances are high that one or two of your friends have already worked with them at some point.
Besides, local movers know their way around town, so planning and facilitating your move won’t be a problem.
