Do These 4 Things Before Interviewing a Moving Company

Gearing up for a move? If lifting heavy boxes, disassembling furniture and unloading a household of belongings sounds a bit too challenging, you may need to consider bringing in the professionals. Not only will hiring a moving company free up valuable time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere (think: work, family and friends), but it could also save you from the inevitable stress that a move entails. While moving yourself may take an entire day (or several!) to complete on your own, moving with professionals could be completed in a few short hours. For many, this efficiency and convenience is worth the high price tag.

However, with hundreds of moving companies in your local area vying for your business, finding the one that best fits your needs often takes time and patience. We recommend interviewing and receiving free quotes from at least three to four licensed and insured movers before making a hiring decision. Prior to interviewing a moving company, though, make sure you’ve done your homework. From preparing questions ahead of time to reviewing your moving rights, do these four things before interviewing a moving company.

Research the Company

Before you even call up a mover to request an interview and quote, you should have already researched the moving company’s credentials. After all, what’s the point in interviewing a moving company, only to find out later that they aren’t even licensed? Not only will researching a mover beforehand prevent you from getting scammed, but it will also better prepare you for the meeting. To begin your research, start by locating the mover’s license number. All interstate moving companies are issued a licensed number by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). This number should be available on the mover’s website. Once you’ve found the number, you can enter it in the U.S. DOT’s system to find their (hopefully, lack of) complaint history. Keep in mind that local movers are regulated by the state (not the U.S. DOT), so be sure to research your state license requirements before hiring a local mover.

Other ways to research a moving company’s credentials and background is by checking Moving.com’s Moving Company Directory. Our directory includes customer reviews for more than 600 moving companies nationwide, as well as each mover’s U.S. DOT number and Better Business Bureau rating. Moving.com’s directory also points out any official complaints filed with the FMCSA, and whether the moving company has any association with the American Moving and Storage Association.

Review the Red Flags

Speaking of research, make sure to review this list of red flags before interviewing a moving company. Fortunately, if you know what to look for, spotting a scam shouldn’t be too difficult. For starters, don’t waste your time interviewing a mover that isn’t properly licensed or insured. You should be able notice these two red flags when researching a moving company’s information. Another warning signal that a moving company isn’t legitimate is if their too good to be true cost estimate – and (oh yeah) it’s also “non-binding.” This is a surefire sign that the mover intends to rip you off. They’ll lure you in with their low estimate, only to send you an outrageous bill later. If the movers give you this low-ball estimate over the internet without even looking at your belongings in-person or via video survey, you can be almost certain you’re dealing with a moving scam. Overall, common sense goes a long way when recognizing red flags. If a mover’s unprofessionalism, bad reviews and lack of credentials are evident before you even interview them, run!

Know Your Moving Rights and Responsibilities

Prior to interviewing a moving company, it’s important that you know and understand your moving rights and responsibilities. While moving companies will provide you with a pamphlet that explains the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations, you should also research these responsibilities and best practices ahead of time. Having a basic understanding of these rights and responsibilities will give you a better idea of what to look out for when interviewing movers, as well as what your own responsibilities are when it comes to hiring movers. Your responsibilities as a customer to yourself and to your mover include: reading all moving documents issued by the mover, being available at the time of pickup and delivery, making payment in the amount required, promptly filing any claims necessary and notifying your mover if anything changes. If an interstate mover does not provide you with a “Ready to Move” brochure or “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet, then you should avoid hiring them for the job. For more information on your rights and responsibilities, check here and here.

Have Your Questions Ready

Finally, make sure you have your questions ready before interviewing a moving company. For starters, if your move requires any sort of specialty skills, such as moving a piano, hot tub or valuable antique, be sure to ask the company whether or not they have experience handling this type of move. If your move involves narrow stairwells, elevators or certain parking restrictions, ask the moving company how they plan to deal with these challenges. Second, you should prepare to ask about their liability coverage options. In addition to basic coverage, the moving company should be able to offer you a more comprehensive liability option such as Full Value Protection. Many long distance moving companies actually include the more comprehensive liability option in their estimate, free of charge. When it comes to the cost of the move, be sure to ask about any discounts that the moving company may offer. Oftentimes, moving companies have special discounts for AAA members and members of the military. You should also prepare to ask about their cancellation policy and payment requirements, as well as whether or not they subcontract their moves. For a list of important, ready-made questions to ask a moving company, check here.

Ready to interview a professional moving company?

To find a reliable moving company, check Moving.com’s extensive network of movers. Our website makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.