In the United States, the average home contains over 300,000 things. From knickknacks and trinkets to furniture and appliances trying to move all of that yourself can be a frustrating hassle. Thankfully, local movers can help take the stress out of the situation and get you moved out in a jiffy. However, before you Googling “local moving company near me”, it’s important to know what to look for so that you can choose the best company possible.
How Long Have They Been in Business?
If a moving company is relatively new, it can be difficult to discern whether or not they have a solid reputation. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re bad, it can mean that you’ll have a harder time finding out if they’re up to the task for your move. A good rule of thumb is to look for local movers that have been in business for at least a decade. This means that they’ll have an established reputation and the experience to handle moves of any size.
What Services Do They Offer?
When you look up moving company near me on any search engine, it can be tempting to just pick the first and closest option. However, not all moving companies will offer the same services, and in addition to checking how long they’ve been around, you’ll want to look at what they provide. Some moving companies will only move to homes within a specific territory, meaning out of state or cross country moves won’t be offered. Additionally, if you have any items that will require special handling or equipment to move, you’ll want to check if they’re able to provide those services. Items like this can include, guns safes, pool tables, hot tubs, and pianos, all of which should be specified when contacting a prospective moving company.
Check Reviews From Past Customers
One of the best ways to learn if a moving company is worth your time is by reading what past customers have said. Companies with decades of experience are likely to have loads of reviews making it easier to determine if they are trustworthy or not. Websites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau, often have review pages so that you can get an idea of how good a company is before contacting them. Additionally, while it’s tempting to read the five-star and one-star reviews, you’ll often get the best idea of a company based on reviews where customers left three stars. This is because, in instances like this, the customer usually has both good and bad things to say about a company, giving you the pros and cons of their experience without outright praise or negativity.
Are They an Agent of a National Moving Network?
If a moving company is part of a national moving network, they will often have access to better equipment and resources. While this might not be very important if you’re moving down the street, but for longer moves, it can mean access to move trucks and specialty equipment to help keep your belongs safe and your move on schedule.
If you are planning a move shortly, be sure to consider these points before typing “moving company near me” into your preferred search engine. While it can be tempting to pick the first option that comes up, it’s always safer to do some research beforehand so that you can choose a company that you can trust.