Advice for Choosing a Reputable Moving Company

• Linda Moore, Real Estate Tips
• encinitas real estate, movers, Moving, moving companies, real estate tips
• May 9, 2014

One of the most difficult aspects of moving into a new home in Encinitas is the actual move itself. Hiring professional movers to transport your belongings can make things easier on yourself, but with literally hundreds of moving companies to choose from, how do you know which ones are reputable?

The American Moving & Storage Association, a nonprofit trade group representing more than 4,000 companies across the country, offers some helpful tips on their website to help Encinitas residents know what to look out for when hiring a moving company.

First, you want to make sure to verify the mover’s identity. Moving companies with no physical address are a big red flag, as are movers who are not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Once you have verified the company’s identity, check their rating with the Better Business Bureau. And while being quoted with a very low price may sound good, it could be cause for suspicion. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many moving companies will offer customers “guaranteed” estimates over the phone, but these can be wildly inaccurate.  The AMSA recommends getting at least 3 in-home estimates from different moving companies before making a final decision. This will allow you to get a better idea of what the average cost of your move will be, and protect you from vague estimations.

Another important tip is to have all agreements between you and your mover in writing. Reputable moving companies will insist on having the terms and details of your move detailed in a written agreement, because it protects them as much as it does you. Movers who operate on a verbal agreement, or refuse to put anything in writing, should be avoided. Make sure that you receive copies of everything you sign, and keep them accessible during the move in case you need to refer to them.

And no matter how respectable the mover you choose may be, take your most valuable possessions with you separately. Jewelry, antiques, family photo albums, or other expensive or irreplaceable items should be transported separately from the rest of your belongings, just in case.

By Linda Moore