Even though the majority of moving companies are trustworthy enterprises, there will always be a few rotten apples in the bunch. These “rogue movers” are known to cause trouble for people during this difficult period by preying on families. It is your job to ensure the moving company is legitimate if you want to spend the money on expert movers. Fortunately, there are many ways to investigate a moving company’s reputation before hiring them. Here are five quick ways to determine whether you can trust a moving company with your possessions.
Are They Licensed and Insured?
Make sure a moving company has the appropriate insurance and licensing before hiring them. If it’s a local move, request proof of licensing and insurance and inform yourself of the rules and laws in your state. You can look up information in the U.S. DOT system since interstate movers must register there. The Better Business Bureau also provides certification information.
Can You Find Them Online?
Consider it a warning sign if you can’t discover any mention of the moving company online. It is unlikely that a reliable moving business would be difficult to find online. This can be the first red flag that the business is a fraud.
Can You Get a Free Estimate from Them?
Before scheduling your move, moving companies should visit your house in person to do an inspection and provide you with a free estimate. If they don’t, you might get hit with a far larger bill than you bargained for. Consider it a scam if someone offers to give you an estimate over the phone based on your description of your household goods.
You should not trust any business that gives you a set price without first assessing your belongings. Instead, you should request a thorough estimate when the examination is over, so there are no unpleasant surprises down the road.
Do They Have Good Reviews?
Where there is smoke, there is fire. We are all familiar with saying, and this is undoubtedly true in the moving business. Checking reviews is the quickest way to determine whether a business is reliable. You can find a lot of these online at places like Yelp and Nextdoor. You can also ask your friends, family, and even your coworkers for recommendations if they have had a great corporate moving service experience before. You may also contact the Better Business Bureau to find out whether there have been any complaints.
Are They Identifiable?
Every legitimate moving company should show up in a vehicle bearing its logo, and the movers themselves should wear uniforms displaying recognizable name tags and badges. You should generally be a little cautious if the truck your moving business uses is unnamed and the employees show up without identification.
If your gut tells you something is off, it probably is.
At Budd Van Lines, our mission is to be the absolute best moving company in America. Our patented Load It Once System is an industry game changer that has revolutionized the process of safely handling and storing household goods. Your goods will be safely loaded onto the containers and not touched again until we deliver them to your new residence. You can trust us for all your personal moving needs!