Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. An expert moving service can make the process go more smoothly than doing it yourself, allowing you to focus on safely transporting your loved ones or pets to a new location while the pros handle the manual labor. If you’ve never hired movers before, you might not know what to ask.
The Most Important Questions to Ask a Moving Service
The following questions help determine whether a moving company is affordable, reliable, and experienced, ensuring that your goods make it from Point A to Point B on time and without damage.
- How should I prepare for your arrival?
- Is your company a broker or a carrier?
- Do you hire subcontractors?
- What’s your process for handling complaints?
- Do you offer insurance?
- Do you offer storage?
- What is the estimate for my move? Do you provide a binding rate or a not-to-exceed quote?
- Are there additional fees?
- Are you licensed through the FMCSA? What’s your registration number?
- Will you pack my items? Will there be an extra charge?
- Do you have reviews or previous references I can contact?
- Do you offer discounts if I refer clients?
- How can I track my shipment?
- Are there fees for canceling or changing the date of my move?
- What payment options do you offer?
- Will my items share a truck with others’ possessions?
The answers you receive will help you narrow down your search for a moving service. For example, you might find that the cheapest service has less experience, uses subcontractors, or cannot guarantee that their final price will be close to their estimate. Sometimes it’s wiser to pay more, knowing you’ll get better and guaranteed service.
Consider Your Business Needs
The questions you ask when hiring a moving service may depend on whether you’re doing a residential or commercial move. If you’re responsible for moving or opening a new business, you know how important it is that your assets arrive safely and on time. Not every company has experience with business property, so it’s smart to ask about that before hiring a moving company. You may also want additional insurance to protect those high-value items. Moving companies are used to questions like these from business owners. While 44% of moving service clients are individuals, 38% of those clients are businesses, so movers have heard it all.