How to Pick the Best Moving Company

Moving is an important life event.  When you’re packing up all your most valued and valuable belongings to move to a new home, you want to rest easy knowing your things are in trusted hands.  Our guide for how to pick the best moving company contains tips and tricks that will ensure your move goes smoothly.  After all, working with the right movers can make the moving experience much less stressful.  From referrals and reviews to obtaining quotes and your final selection, careful research can save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to moving day.

Shortlisting Candidates

First, you want to identify several potential moving companies in your area.  Start by asking for referrals from friends, family, and colleagues.  If you personally know somebody who can vouch for the professionalism, efficiency, and work ethic of a mover, you’re well on the way to finding a reputable moving company.  You can also search online to find local movers, but make sure to take some time to vet all potential movers.  Online testimonials are a good indication of a moving company’s track record, and Google reviews can give you a lot of information. Look for a moving company with many Google reviews – a company with an average 5-star rating on 6 reviews may not be as good as a company with an average 4-star rating but hundreds of reviews.  Read the good and the bad so you can gather as much information as possible.

Research Location

Your moving company should have a bricks-and-mortar location where they can park their trucks.  Also, a company that has been established at the same address or in the same community for a long period of time is ideal.  If your movers have established a relationship with the community they serve, they are likely to put more effort into maintaining their reputation and that relationship.  You can check Google street-view or visit their office location to further assess the quality of their operations.

Obtaining Quotes

The best moving companies will visit your home for free to provide a quality estimate for the cost of your move.  Any company that provides a quote sight-unseen over the phone or by the internet is unlikely to accurately estimate the time and cost of your move.  When a moving professional visits your home, you can discuss all the elements of your move so that you get the most accurate possible quote.  This will also help you determine whether the mover offers the services you need, and whether you can establish an effective working relationship.  And don’t be afraid to obtain quotes from several moving companies and choose the company that provides the services and professionalism you desire at a price you can afford.

When it comes to picking the best moving company, the most important thing to remember is that time spent upfront investigating potential movers, their consumer record and the cost and scope of their work, the more likely you will be to enjoy a smooth and stress-free move. Here is an easy to follow moving company comparison guide. Toyota also recently came out with a funny commercial on this topic. Enjoy!