Did you know the average American moves almost 12 times in their lifetime, that the average household in America has 2.3 persons, and that around 3 million Americans embark on interstate moves annually?
Those are just a few statistics you can find about moving. When the time comes for you and your family to pack up and move, what things do you need to consider?
You’ve probably heard of horror stores where families chose the wrong movers and paid for it dearly. The problem is that this sort of thing occurs more often than you might think. After all, not all moving companies know how to protect furniture when moving correctly. Which begs the question — how can you find the right moving company to help you on moving day?
Here’s a look at 5 tips to help you find a service provider that’ll put you at ease on your big day.
1. Look at Reviews
One way you can determine if a moving company will treat you right is to see how it’s treated other customers in the past. That’s where online customer reviews come into play. When you conduct research and find a few movers in the area, you can read online reviews.
Consider these statistics about the importance of customer reviews:
- 97% of people look at reviews about local companies;
- 90% of consumers read online reviews to determine whether to buy a particular product;
- 78% of people believe in online reviews just as much as they believe in recommendations from people they know; and
- 67.7% of buying decisions are influenced by online reviews.
As you can see, there’s a lot you can glean from reviews written by customers. And the more reviews you read, the better. You’ll be able to make a more informed decision.
2. Ask People You Know
You’ll also want to ask people you know. There’s a reason why marketers speak glowingly of word-of-mouth marketing. It works. People are more likely to believe things they hear from people they know than from a retailer.
Do you know anyone who has moved recently? Ask them about who they hired, if they were satisfied, if they would recommend the service provider, and other things of this nature. You’ll get a good idea of which companies to patronize and which companies to avoid.
3. Get Multiple Quotes
It’s generally good to get multiple quotes before selecting any service provider. According to Consumer Affairs, there are certain things to be aware of when it comes to getting quotes:
- Quotes based on in-person consultations lead to better accuracy;
- Get no fewer than three quotes prior to choosing;
- Ensure you get binding estimates to be certain of price;
- Ask about any extra moving fees; and
- Get the mover to include moving insurance in your quote.
Don’t focus solely on cost. That could jeopardize your decision and leave you with regret. When assessing the price, consider everything the moving company is offering. You might find that paying a little more will give you more advantages than choosing the lowest quote.
4. Check Service Options
It’s also important to consider the service options offered by different moving companies. Some movers provide limited options while others offer a wide range of products and services. A full-service mover will offer things like residential moving, commercial moving, local moves, long-distance moves, vehicle shipping, and storage options.
Storage options will be helpful if you’re selling your home and either don’t have room for all your belongings at your new house or haven’t yet purchased a house.
5. Look at Better Business Bureau
A reputable moving company like firstratemovers will be insured and licensed. That’s a given. Search the Better Business Bureau website to see if a mover has any claims and if they are reputable. You can conduct an online search for free. If the company has a good rating, great. If it either doesn’t have a positive rating or isn’t listed, look for a more suitable moving company.
Your moving day is a big day. It’ll be at least a little bit stressful, even if all your ducks are in a row. But hiring a reputable mover will make things a whole lot more comfortable. If you follow these five tips, you’ll be well on your way toward finding the type of service provider that will meet or exceed your expectations.
