If you are about to move you may be feeling stressed out. Of course, you are, moving is considered to be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. This is one of the reasons why people hire a moving company.
Not only will a moving company help make the transition smoother, but you probably don’t have some of the equipment a traditional moving company has available. From helping to pack and carry your large items to moving to your new home, a moving company can really help.
Once you have decided to hire a moving company, the next step is to find movers in your area. If you live in Arizona, movers in Phoenix AZ will be a good option.
What’s your budget?
One of the first steps in hiring a moving company is setting your budget. Although it may end up being a little different in the end, it’s important to figure out how much you are comfortable spending. When you are calling around it’s important to ask their hourly rate and find out if they have any hidden fees. Also, don’t just choose the cheapest moving company because you believe they will be able to help you more.
The cheapest may be the least experienced and can cause you more time later. Make sure you ask any additional fees that may be involved. Once you know a ballpark of how much the moving company will cost, you can estimate how much you need to do yourself first.
If you thought it would end up being a lot more expensive, you can assign the company more work. For example, instead of having them only carry the heavy items to the truck, you can have them carry all your items and package everything yourself first. Budgeting is so important and it will help you feel on track with your move.
Don’t forget to read reviews
The next recommendation we have is to head online and check out what people are saying about a specific moving company. You can make a list of all the moving companies in your area and start writing down small notes beside each one.
This will help you remember what you liked about each and what you didn’t like. In addition, if there is a large reason you don’t like a company like it had bad reviews online and you didn’t like their customer service, you can simply put an ex through their name. This keeps you organized and helps you to remember the small details.
Reading reviews online is very helpful. Many people explain exactly what they like and what they didn’t like about specific companies online. Remember to not scratch off a company just because you read one bad review, some great companies can always have one or two bad experiences and still be a great company to work with.
When a company has consistent bad reviews and the same reason, that’s a company you want to stay away from. Same goes for great reviews. Read what people are saying about them and perhaps what the company needs to improve on. This will help you to know what to expect.
Seek recommendation from friends and family
If you have had a friend or family member move recently, this is a great person to ask advice from. Firstly, you can ask who they used. If it is a company they would recommend you can add them to the top of your list. You can always ask them what they liked about them. If it is a company they would not recommend, you can go ahead and cross them off your list.
If you have never used a moving company before, you can ask that friend or family member if they have any tips or recommendations in not only finding a reliable moving company but ensuring the move goes smoothly.
If you don’t have any friends or family members that have moved recently, it’s still a great idea to ask. Perhaps they have a friend or coworker that has moved and can share advice to give you to or at least let you know who they used. It’s always great to ask someone with experience!
Call and get answers to your concerns
The final step in finding a good moving company is to call around. Have a series of questions you plan on asking them and take notes as you ask. Ask questions about the price, who will be moving your items, what happens if the items are damaged at all, find out how much experience the movers have, and anything else that comes to mind.
It’s very important to ensure the company has insurance and liability. If the company doesn’t and a worker got injured, it would end up being your fault and you can end up having to pay a lot of money. Ensure they have these and you can even ask to see a copy to ensure they do.
Make sure to trust your gut with the final choice. Don’t get sucked in if a sales staff member is speaking to you and pressuring you to book right then. This is a big choice for you and one you should make on your own time.
Takeaway
You will be so happy you put in the effort to find a great moving company. It will not only save you time later but can save you money too. Make sure you do your research both online, in person with friends and family, and by calling around. It’s an important decision and one you should not make after just calling one company.