The process of hiring mover and packers can seem a bit daunting, especially if it’s your first time to relocate. Doing some research may save you some few dollars. Moving without a hitch is just like a miracle. It’s never that smooth. However, with the services of movers, you can be sure to have some correctly done job. Besides there being so many smooth packers movers, scams and shoddy practices do exist. Therefore it is in your own best and interest to get informed on the steps to follow in hiring the best movers and packers.
Get Recommendations
Get referrals from friends, family, and coworkers. You can also search from the internet for the companies near you. You need to get an estimate of how much the whole process will cost you. Don’t get a blind estimate from someone who has no ideas of the scope of work. Never assume that the big companies are the best. You can get a small company like threemenandatruck.net and have your job correctly done.
Do Initial Screening
Once you have done the search, come up with a list of several companies that you think are worth considering. After noting down the companies, then do a background check on each. You can search from their website or social media platforms to get more information about them.
Select at least 3 Companies
From your background check, try to rank them from the best as per your online assessment. From the rank, you can zero down to two or three companies that you will subject to further scrutiny. Do further checks on the selected companies. You can do this by going through their online reviews to establish how clients feel about them.
Call Estimators for the 3 Companies
Arrange for a meeting with each company separately. Request them to send estimators to come and assess the scope of work. Ensure to have each estimator at a time to avoid having them bump onto each other. Take them around the premises and let them have a clear picture of everything that needs to be moved. Also, let the estimator know the condition of the new location that might complicate the move, such as stairs, escalators, and so on. Take advantage of this stage to ask for more information about the company. Ensure that it’s the company doing the job and not a subcontracted company. Find out how long the company has been in the same business and any other information that was not available on the website. Before the estimator is done, you should have the following information with you:
- The company’s full names as it appears in the registration certificate
- The company’s official address, phone number, email, and website
- Name and contacts of the company’s referees
- Names and addresses of the Directors
Review the Estimates
Once the estimators have assessed the scope of work, let them leave their quotation with you. Compare the quotation and do another ranking based on the cost. At this stage, the lowest quote will carry the day. However, there is always room for negotiation. Contact all the companies and try to negotiate with them, and from that, you can settle for the company that offers the best price.
Review the Contenders in Details
Now that you’ve zeroed to the best company subject it to further scrutiny. Take all the information that you’ve gathered about the company and get back online. Below are the few things that you should check before signing a contract with any transport company:
- License
The very first thing you want to get assured by the moving company is that they are in the business legally. This is important because in case anything goes wrong, you’ll be able to take necessary action against the company. To verify this, ask to see the license.
- Bonded
Entrusting your entire household items to people you don’t know is taking a great risk. So, before hiring any company, you want to be sure that it is bonded. Don’t take chances! Ensure that the employees assigned to handle your movement are police vetted and do not have any criminal record. In any case, you do not want criminals to get near your doorstep.
- Insured
You also want to know if the company is insured in case of any damage to goods when on transit. If they are insured, you also want to know to what extent are your goods insured. This assurance will give you peace of mind for the duration your goods will be in transit.
- Online Presence
Nowadays, everything is online, and one thing you would want to hear about the company you want to hire is that they have a good online presence. They should have a presentable website with good customer reviews.
- Tax Payment
You would not want to engage a company that does not pay taxes to the Government. Ensure that the company gives an ETR upon payment. This way, you’ll be sure that the tax charged will be remitted to the authorities. Mostly, a company that doesn’t pay taxes is usually in dubious businesses.
- Physical Address
Knowing the physical address is the company is very important. Remember, you are going to entrust this company with all your belongings, and if anything, you need to know where you can get them in case your items are not delivered.
Select the Mover
After going through all the checks discussed above, you should be confident to choose the mover. Confirm with them the dates and other details of your move. Ensure that they give you a signed order for service and a bill of landing.
Moving Day
On the D-Day, provide the movers with the direction. You can either drop a pin to the new location or give a sketch of the direction. Remember to give them your number in case they get stuck, and also have their number so that you can reach them throughout their move.
Conclusion
Relocation is not an easy task, but if you follow the tips discussed above, you can be sure to make your whole experience smooth and enjoyable. It may require some financial input, but believe me, you will enjoy the experience, and you’ll have value for your money.