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About 22% of Americans have moved or know someone who moved homes because of COVID-19.
It’s getting harder for many to make ends meet because of economic challenges, leaving many people forced to move. Those numbers are expected to increase in the coming months as rent and mortgage protections expire.
If you need to move, you’re going to want to find a reliable mover to help with the move. It will make a very difficult process much easier. Read on to learn how to hire movers for your upcoming move.
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Do Research First
The first step in getting a mover is to do some initial research. You can ask people that you know for recommendations and look online. You’ll want to check the online reviews and check ratings on websites like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau.
You should check the websites of each company. You need to make sure that they are a local company but connected to a wide network of movers. This is necessary for moving out of state.
Verify Licenses
There are all types of moving companies out there. Some consist of a couple of college guys that have no experience, but they’ll call themselves a moving company.
Other companies are licensed and insured. These are the reliable moving companies that you want to work with. Each state has strict licensing requirements for movers.
Some cities have additional licensing requirements. This post tells you what the requirements are for moving companies in Chicago.
Get Estimates
The next step is to narrow down your list of movers to 3-4 moving companies and contact them for an estimate. This will happen in your home, where they come in and assess what needs to be moved and how long it will take.
Some moving companies will require a deposit to secure your spot in their schedule. You should think twice if a mover asks for more than 20% of the estimate as a deposit. If you do pay a deposit, put it on a credit card to make disputing the charge easier if you have to.
You should have a list of questions to ask prospective movers when they visit. This will help you get the information that you need to make a smart decision.
You’ll want to ask if the estimate is binding or what the additional fees are. You want to make sure that the company is transparent about their pricing.
Ask about additional services that you may be charged for, such as the use of padding to protect furniture. There may be services that will take you by surprise on moving day.
Hiring a Reliable Mover
Moving is one of the most stressful events that we go through, but you can lower that stress when you hire a reliable mover. It’s not always easy to find a good moving company, which is why you need to know what to do.
You want to make sure that you do your research, check their licenses, and get an in-home estimate. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and make a decision.
Want more tips to make moving on to the next chapter in your life easier? Read this article about letting go and moving on.
