What to Look For in a Residential Moving Company
Most people move several times in their lives. Maybe you’re going to college, relocating for a job, upgrading your home, or just want a change of scene. Whatever the case, you want a residential moving company that will do the job right.
There are several considerations to take into account when choosing a residential moving company. You want a company that is reliable, respectful, and efficient. You want a company that prices fairly and treats your items with care.
Most of all, you want a company that handles the hassle of moving so you don’t have to.
We’ve broken down some of the top considerations when choosing a residential moving company.
1. Moving locally? Use a local company.
It might seem obvious, but local companies are the best for local moves. Maybe a big company has a branch in your area. But have you considered small businesses as well?
We aren’t just saying that because we serve the local North Carolina population. There are multiple advantages to staying local when searching for a residential moving company:
- The movers will already be familiar with your area.
- There may be extra deals for short-distance local moves.
- You can look up reviews written by locals.
- Small businesses often have a better community rapport, since they can work more one-on-one with you.
- Small businesses sometimes have more flexible schedules, especially several months out.
- You’re less likely to run into scams when looking for a local residential moving company.
For all of these reasons, it’s best to search local first. If you’re doing a long-distance move, though, you might opt for a national chain instead. That makes it easier to return a moving truck at your destination.
2. Check for a federal registration.
Most of the time, a residential moving company will display a DOT number on their website. This is the number assigned by the Department of Transportation.
You can use this number to look up their insurance and registration status with the FMCSA. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a website search engine built for exactly this.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that a federal registration isn’t always required. A residential moving company needs a DOT number if they coordinate an interstate move. But if a company serves only the North Carolina population, the number might not be necessary.
We here at Movin’ On Movers do have a DOT number. It’s 629273.
3. Double check the services.
Maybe you’ve found a registered local company with amazing posted rates and good reviews. That’s great! There’s nothing stopping you from working with them… unless their services don’t match.
This is especially important if you have advanced needs. Do you need your movers to wrap and package everything for you? Do you need them to provide boxes and transportation? Do you need them to unpack any boxes for you?
Sometimes people with disabilities or little time need extra help from their movers. Again, the residential moving company you choose should take the headache out of the move.
When you get an estimate done, make sure that you tell the estimator exactly what you need. If you have any heavy or fragile furniture, show them. The same goes for fancy electronics that need to be handled carefully.
You’ll want to bring up special items with the estimator. Some examples might include:
- Big aquariums
- Billiards equipment
- Full sized pianos
- Hot tubs
All of these things require careful planning and logistics to move without damage.
4. Get a binding estimate.
The cost of moving can sometimes seem overwhelming. One thing that you might do is ask for a binding estimate. With a binding estimate, you’ll get a quote for exactly the services asked for. The company will not charge you more than that quote for the whole job.
Of course, this may be subject to change if the company provides additional services. But even if your estimate isn’t binding, your company can’t charge more than 10% over their initial quote.
If you need special items moved or have special services to request, you should look for a company that specializes. Ask up front if the company can handle your specific needs.
Finally, don’t just use the cheapest option. Cheap movers will leave you doing most of the work yourself. And they may not handle your items with care. It’s better to pay a little extra for peace of mind.
Here at Movin’ On Movers, we’re a residential moving company that serves the North Carolina area. Whether you’re in Raleigh, Durham, or the Triangle Area, we’d be happy to coordinate your next move. Give us a call today to get started!