Figuring out whether or not a moving company is legit can be a big worry. By looking at things like online presence, professionalism, as well as basic licensing, you can ensure that you’re choosing legitimate, dependable movers.
When your entire household is being transported to a new place, it’s essential that you are able to trust the cross-country movers you work with. Unfortunately, there are numerous companies out there offering moving services and a few bad apples can spoil the bunch.
To help you avoid those bad apples, we’re giving you access to the entire apple tree and teaching you how to pick the perfect apple – or in this case, the moving company – to conduct your big move.
Where To Start?
Choosing a moving company shouldn’t be based on solely one factor, such as price. There’s plenty that needs to be considered before you sign any contracts or confirm any bookings with out-of-state movers.
The first thing you should do is gather a list of moving companies that seem promising. The list can include anywhere from 5 to 20 moving companies, but you should make sure you’re ready to do research on each company in order to find the best options. Once you have a list, you can begin looking into each company.
Below we’ve listed factors you should be paying attention to while conducting research, which includes:
- Licensing & insurance
- Online presence
- Customer reviews
- Business certifications
- Professionalism
- Free moving quotes
- Proper identification
1. Licensing & Insurance
The first thing to check when looking for interstate moving companies is their licensing and insurance coverage. There are plenty of ways to check for licensing of moving companies, including simply asking the company to provide proof of insurance.
If you’re not comfortable asking movers directly, or if you want to do a more thorough review of their insurance coverage, there are multiple websites online that offer this information and more. In fact, you can conduct all of your research on cross-country movers online, never leaving the comfort of your bed.
2. USDOT Number
Every single legitimate moving company is given a USDOT number. This is mandatory for movers to have while conducting moving jobs and makes it very convenient to find information about moving companies near you.
With a USDOT number, it is possible to find information safety information pertaining to the company, compliance history, the size of the company, and more.
3. Online Presence
An online presence can tell you a lot about the best long-distance moving company you are considering, such as how many people know about them. You can also look at their website to see if it looks professional or if it looks as if it was hastily put together. Check out there about information and browse to see if they seem like cross-country movers you’d like to work with.
4. Customer Reviews
Reviews can tell you a lot about what to expect from movers as well as what experience others have had with them. You can look at online reviews and try to get information from friends or family members who have recently used moving companies to relocate. Be discerning, however, as some reviews may not be completely truthful.
5. Business Certifications
Every single reputable business should be registered. Moving companies not only need to register with the FMCSA but should also register with organizations like the Better Business Bureau or the American Moving and Storage Association. These registrations put you at ease, as these organizations conduct checks of movers and ensure that everything is legit.
6. Professionalism
Every interaction you have with representatives of this moving company should be professional and pleasant. If you experience difficulties getting questions answered, problems contact someone, rude service, or other issues, you should be able to mark them off of your list of potential companies.
7. Free Moving Quote
Moving companies offer free moving estimates, whether they are done in person, online, or over video. Moving quotes should not cost anything, as this information is required in order for movers to get a good idea of your household. Be aware that phone quotes without video may not be accurate, so your final price could differ drastically.
8. Proper Identification
Moving companies should have their logo or some sort of identification on their vehicles or clothing to let you know who they are and what they do. Without any outward signs of the business name, for all you know, it’s a bunch of random people with a van trying to scam you. Look for movers that can be identified properly to avoid any mishaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I get scammed?
If you’re ever in a situation where an illegitimate company has taken your belongings or forced you to pay higher rates for your move, then you can contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This organization provides you with a way to file complaints against the company. These can be done online or by calling the organization’s number.
Is it okay to trust moving companies?
As long as you’re working with a legitimate company, there is nothing to worry about. Professional moving companies uphold certain standards and codes of ethics that prohibit stealing or committing wrongdoings to customers. By following this guide, you’ll be able to ensure that the movers you work with are reliable.
Should I offer movers food?
You’re not obligated to do anything you don’t want to when movers arrive, but if you’re feeling generous you may consider giving them a snack, meal, or beverage. In general, when movers are at the home for more than five or so hours it’s a nice surprise for movers when you offer a meal. However, offering a lunch break may work just as well.
Choose a Legit Moving Company
If you’re concerned about moving companies, use this guide to ensure that you choose the right company for your moving job. Companies should be professional, registered, insured, and meet all of the criteria outlined above. Once they pass the test, you can feel confident in your movers.
