If you're planning on buying a home, and wondering how to find a good moving company, you are wise to be cautious.
According to moving.com the cost of a local move ranges from $501 to $2,988, while an out-of-state move may cost between $1,123 to more than $14,107. Your actual cost will likely depend on the weight of your belongings, special items being moved, travel distance and how much packing help is needed and other variables.
How to find a good moving company
Here are four tips for finding a reputable, affordable mover:
1. Verify moving companies' licenses and insurance
A company moving you out of state must be licensed by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Make sue you ask for and record their DOT number when you contact them for an estimate. You can then use this number to check the FMCSA database to verify the mover and check for complaints."
If you're moving in-state, the moving company may still need to be licensed or certified by your state. When you contact potential moving companies, ask which certifications they have. Certification and licensing information in your state may be available from your state, county or local consumer affairs agency or your state attorney general's office. You can also look for companies that are a member of your state’s moving association, if your state has one.
In addition, ask a potential moving company how they select and hire their individual movers, and what qualifications those movers have. You want to make sure they've been background-checked and drug-screened.
Another option is to check the American Trucking Association's consumer site. You can use a convenient lookup to find movers that have received a ProMover certification with either a geographic lookup or by using their Motor Carrier Number. Among other things, ProMover certification requires that a moving firm adhere to the ATA Moving & Storage Conference Code of Ethics.
While you're interviewing moving companies, ask about insurance and how your belongings will be protected If the mover is uninsured, your property is not covered if is should be damaged.
Related: Three ways to pick the best closing date
2. Ask for moving company's contingency plans
When interviewing moving companies, ask how they would handle a situation if something goes wrong -- such as the closing date getting pushed back, something that occurs often. In fact, homeowners should probably plan for it. If you are planning on moving out on a Friday, check to see if the movers would be able to accommodate a delay that goes until Monday or Tuesday. It's a good idea to build in few days of extra cushion in case any last minute changes in plans or execution come up.
A company that owns its own trucks may be more likely to handle a surprise schedule change or vehicle breakdown than a company that leases them. Also, If your new home might not be ready immediately after the move, you'll want to find out in advance if the company will be able to securely store your belongings, and at what cost.
3: Get a written estimate
Whether you are using a moving company for the first time or have hired moving companies in the past, be sure a potential mover walks through your home to see what needs to be moved, and then get a free written estimate on the spot or by email within a day or two.
It's a "best practice" to have two or three movers come to your home and give you working estimates. Having a written quote allows you to make fair comparisons of different companies, such as if each quote includes packing services, and if price is figured by weight or some other factor.
Without a written estimate, a company could potentially charge you more on the day of the move and you wouldn't have any evidence to refute those charges.
4: Pay moving companies after delivery
Once you decide on a mover, they may ask for a deposit to secure the date, but never pay a large amount of money -- such as half of the bill -- upfront. When you sign the contract, make sure it's fully filled in with what was included in the estimate.
Moving can be stressful, but it's important to take the time and do your research to find a reputable moving company. The right mover can reduce your stress by making sure your belongings are handled by reliable professionals at a fair price.
This article was updated by Keith Gumbinger.
