To be sure all your possessions arrive intact, it’s important to hire a long distance moving company you can depend on. By asking the right questions, you can ensure your long distance moving company will take good care of your things and get them where they need to go, when they need to be there.

Building a List of Long Distance Movers

To start your search, make up a list of movers you think would be a good fit for your move. Online sites can provide quotes to give you a general idea of how much an individual company might charge. Don’t necessarily choose the least expensive companies when narrowing down your list, as you’ll want to consider other factors before making a final decision.

Once you’ve acquired several initial quotes and have narrowed down your list, it’s time to start asking the hard questions.

In-Home Quotes and Detailed Interviews

An in-home quote is the best way to determine exactly how much your move will cost. A long distance moving company can give you a general idea of cost, but until they see exactly what you have that needs to be moved, they can’t supply an exact quote.

In addition to a detailed, in-home quote, you’ll want to interview the movers with a list of detailed questions. Some questions to include are:

How much experience do you have?
Experience should include not just moving, but quoting. An inexperienced move might give an inaccurate quote, as well as not give you a quality move. This could end not only with damage to your possessions, but a final cost higher than expected.

When will my possessions arrive?
A moving company might not be able to say when they’ll deliver to the minute, but they should be able to give you a window of a day or two. If the delivery time seems too vague, too optimistic, or doesn’t take into account possible weather delays or other issues, the movers might just be saying what they know you want to hear.

Can you provide references?
If the company has done numerous moves for local business on either end (or both ends) of your planned move, these references can give you a good idea of the kind of work the company does.

How will you approach moving my (piano, heirloom dresser–insert whatever specialty item you own here)?
Most movers have a plan for moving particularly large, cumbersome, or valuable items. Many will not move pianos, but will provide references for companies who specialize in piano moving. If a company is apprehensive about moving any individual item, it might be a good idea to let them recommend someone else. On the other hand, if they are overly enthusiastic about moving your Steinway grand piano, it might not hurt to look elsewhere.

In addition to looking for the right answers, pay attention to the attitude and tone. If a moving company seems overly willing to take on any project, or dismissive of possible problems, you might want to move on to the next company on the list.

First of all, you should ask the moving company how long they have been in business. A company that has been in business for multiple years will definitely have a proven track record to provide security for your belongings.

Second, you should ask the moving companies if they have a list of references that you could review and contact. Any legitimate moving company who has successfully moved goods or furniture for other individuals will surely have a list of references for potential customers to review.

Third, you should ask the moving companies if they are insured. If a moving company is not insured, that should immediately raise a red flag. If something happens to your possessions while they are under the care of a moving company without insurance, it will be extremely difficult to recoup losses. Any moving company that is not insured can be looked upon as unprofessional.

Fourth, you should ask the moving companies if they are a member of any consumer groups such as the Better Business Bureau. If a company belongs to the local merchant group, and has a good reputation with the group, you can be assured that the company will treat you and your possessions well.

After asking these questions about the integrity and background of the moving companies, you should ask a few more questions about your specific situation, including the pick up and delivery dates.

Fifth, you should ask the moving companies if they can guarantee that the furniture will arrive by a certain time. If the company cannot guarantee the delivery of your goods by a certain time or date, then it is obvious they are not as professional as you should expect.

Sixth, you should ask the company what they will offer you if your furniture and possessions do not arrive on time. Many companies may offer a discount or your money back if your possessions are not delivered on time. If a company is unwilling to give you an incentive if you goods are not delivered on time, they are probably not a good choice.

Seventh, you should ask the moving companies how long it will take for delivery concerning your specific situation. It is obviously a good idea to chose the company who can delivery your furniture the quickest.

Eighth, you should ask the moving companies what the policy is to repair damages if the furniture is not delivered in the same condition? A legitimate moving company who is bonded and insured will have a simple policy and procedure for making claims for damages that occurred.

Ninth, you should ask the company if they will use any type of protection for your items while they are being moved. Most professional companies will provide some type of protective substance for your items such as bubble wrap or cloth sheets. Keeping your items in pristine condition should be the priority of any moving company worth hiring.

Finally, you should obviously ask the moving companies what the cost will be for them to move your items. Choosing the best company with the cheapest price is a goal of most people.

By gaining answers to these questions, you will be in a better position to chose which company will be the best for your situation.