Tip #1 – Think through all of your moving company needs.  Determine the additional services you might need besides the general move, such as assistance with packing, storage needs, auto transport, antiques and specialty items, artwork crating, etc…

Tip #2 – Line up your options.  Now that you have fully thought out exactly what your moving needs are, it’s time to start the hunt for moving companies.  It’s highly recommended that you to get quotes from at least three different companies to ensure that you are not paying too much or receiving an unrealistic low-ball proposal.  Have your list prepared with of all of the important points relating to your move.

Tip #3 – What are you looking for.  Identify the moving companies that specialize in the specific type of move you are making.  This goes beyond the obvious local or long distance movers.  Make sure you confirm the experience of the movers against the items you are moving.  Do you just have boxes and bulk furniture, or are there antiques and artwork?  Often these items require specialists in the moving field.

Tip #4 – Get the right price.  Most moving companies will insist that they do a walk through prior to delivering a binding quote – this is very important.  Movers must see how many flights of stairs you have, narrow hallways, weight of items, and distance from the exit point of the house to the moving truck bay doors.  All of these factors contribute to the price.  Did it take you 4 hours to put the frame of your king bed together?  How long will it take a mover to disassemble, and rebuild in your new place? The moving experts know to consider this when pricing the job.  Be sure to get any quotes in writing and find out what circumstances could cause the estimated price to increase.

Tip#5 – Ask the right questions.  Now that you are prepared to answer any questions the moving company might throw your way, here is a list of pertinent information you will want to gather from each company:

1.    Can they provide references from their last 3-5 moves?

2.    What type of insurance coverage do they have for your items?

3.    How many people will be assigned to your move?  Do they have a plan is the crew is shorthanded?

4.    Explain the charges in detail – Do you charge by weight or by the hour?  Or both?

For peace of mind, it’s always a good idea to go online and search for any customer reviews or ratings about the experiences others have had with your potential moving choice.  Don’t forget to check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that no formal complaints have been lodged against any of the movers you are considering.  Last but certainly not least, check with your friends, neighbors and family members for recommendations – a glowing review or horror story can be one of the best indicators as to whether or not to go with a particular moving company.

Your best starting place when looking for a good moving company is to simply ask friends who have been in the same shoes before. Anyone who has gone through the process of hiring and working with moving companies before will be able to give you an honest review of their experience. Generally speaking, you will probably find that people find their experiences with moving help either totally positive or utterly negative. Expect to hear a mix of glowing reviews and unbelievable horror stories when you start asking around about moving companies in your area.

The next best source for advice on choosing a moving company is to get online and start researching the reputation of all of the moving companies that you are currently considering. Many consumers have made a regular habit of posting reviews of their experiences with hiring help for jobs like this, especially if they had a negative experience. You can also find a great deal of reviews and general advice in internet forums dedicated to the issues of making a major relocation. Just remember to take one or two negative reviews in proper proportion. Sometimes customers rush to post a negative review for an issue that the moving company would have been happy to resolve if the customer had contacted them about the problem first.

Regardless of the information that you are able to find about a company’s reputation, you can tell also make an informed decision based upon certain features of the moving company itself. For instance, the longer that moving company has been in business, the more likely that they are to offer a hassle-free move. Newer outfits may be going through the growing pains of learning the industry or hiring the right staff, and they might make major mistakes even with the best of intentions. Similarly, larger moving companies often have the best reputation and experienced managers who know how to take care of all of the logistical details of an assignment. If you would like to support a smaller business, you might consider asking them if you could speak with a satisfied customer or two before signing on the dotted line.

Remember, you do not have do all of the research on finding a good moving company alone. Simply fill out the form provided above for free estimates from moving companies in your area.