Most people don’t give much thought to the people they hire to move their household belongings from point A to point B. This is unfortunate because the ease and simplicity of a move can be greatly multiplied by choosing the right moving company. Instead of hiring a random moving company, follow these simple steps to find the right moving company for you:

–Give yourself enough time to make the right decision. If you wait until the last minute to hire a moving company, the one that’s best for you may already be booked. Don’t settle for second best at the last minute; instead, start early so you have plenty of time to do your research.

–If you follow the first step and start early, you will have plenty of time to search for the lowest price. While many moving companies offer quotes online or over the phone, these quotes are not binding and are subject to change. The only way a moving company can provide a legally binding quote is by conducting an in-person survey of the items to be moved and the area from which they will be moved. During the survey, different factors will play a role in determining the final quote. Those factors include, but are not limited to: the number of rooms in a home, the number of floors, the number of sharp corners or odd-shaped hallways, the value of assets (for insurance reasons), and more. Since the customer will be present while the in-person survey is being conducted, don’t be afraid of having the mover explain their justification for the price offered. Some moving companies do nothing more than drop off a truck, let the customer pack the goods, and drive the truck to the final destination. This type of move is much cheaper but requires much more physical effort on the part of the client, which some may not be willing or able to undertake.

–Once the in-person quotes have been issued, the haggling can begin. Collect as many quotes as possible from companies you trust and meet your needs. Ask companies if they can beat the price of the company with the lowest offer; if they can, you may walk away with a few extra bucks in your pocket. Remember, just because a company offers the lowest quote does not mean that it offers a quality service that is right for you. Research all aspects of the company, not just the quote they offer. You would probably hate to hire the company with the lowest quote only to find out that their lack of insurance coverage allows for such low prices.

–On that note, be sure to check the moving company’s insurance coverage. It’s your money and your stuff, so make sure you get your money’s worth and make sure your stuff is protected against the unforeseen events.

The services of a moving company are not services that many people need to secure. Some people can live their entire lives and only need to hire a moving company once or twice. This means that it is difficult for homeowners and renters to build a strong relationship and history with their local moving company in the same way that they would with other companies. In the absence of a solid professional history with a particular mover, homeowners and renters alike are urged to do their homework, ask questions, and shop around.