Questions to ask your local movers
Are you preparing for an upcoming move? A lot is going on when you are getting ready to move with your family. Many people don’t consider hiring professional movers for a local move. Even if you’re relocating within the same city, though, there are ample reasons to hire Seattle movers. Hiring the right local movers is a very important decision. It can mean the difference between having a smooth, uneventful move and a complete disaster that you read about in the papers or watch on TV. But with so many different professional movers out there, how can you decide which ones are trustworthy? As you begin the research process to evaluate potential local movers for your upcoming move, it’s natural to focus on the factors that make your move unique. Delicate items, important timelines, or other special considerations usually take priority, but there are a few key questions that you want to ask Seattle movers before making a final decision. Here are the top 10 the most essential ones:
Are your local movers licensed and insured?
This should be your first and most important question. You should only work with local movers that are professionally licensed and fully insured. You should also get the name of their insurance company as well as the company’s policy number. Verify their coverage is current and valid before proceeding.
One of the most important questions you should ask professional movers is if they are licensed. To make sure you avoid scams or Seattle movers who will never deliver your stuff, make sure that they have all of the proper licensures. You are trusting your professional movers with the protection of all your belongings. The last thing you want to do is run into a scam.
All professional interstate moving companies should have a license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation. You can actually check online to see if they have one. The United States Department of Transportation should issue a license number to each moving company in the US. You should make sure that you can check that license number and see if there are any complaints against them. On the other hand, local movers who only relocate customers within the same state are regulated by the state – not the U.S. Department of Transportation. Therefore, local professional movers should hold a state license. It’s important to note each state has its own set of moving regulations and license requirements. If you decide to hire professional movers at the last minute, be sure to check this!
How long local movers have been in business?
A company that’s been around for decades doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive stellar customer service. On the other hand, just because local movers are newer in the city doesn’t mean the professional movers are inexperienced or incapable. A company that’s just started could have great professional movers and provide amazing service so don’t red flag them before asking them some of the other questions on this list. Either way, find out how long the local movers have been in business. Don’t rely solely on what’s posted on the company website. Check out what kind of reputation they have online on different review sites.
What liability coverage do professional movers offer?
Even when the professional movers are insured, that doesn’t automatically mean you’re 100% covered. Your contract will likely include basic liability coverage. This is usually based on a fixed price per item or item weight. That type of protection barely offers any money to replace the lost or damaged items. This type of insurance will normally pay you money based on the weight of the items and not what they’re actually worth. In most cases, though, this does not allow for punitive damage claims. The best movers near me should be able to offer you full coverage for an additional fee.
You may have to pay an extra fee for it, but it will be worth it in case something happens to your valuables. This means the local movers are responsible for any lost or damaged items. You might also elect to buy extra moving insurance from a third party. In case something happens during the move, you want to make sure that all of your belongings are insured. You will need money to replace all of them after all. It’s always good to know if your professional movers are going to offer this protection or not. If they don’t, you can always buy insurance from an outside company as well.
Can local movers provide a binding quote?
Before you hire professional movers, you should always make sure that you ask them for a quote. You don’t want to sign a contract with them and then realize they will charge you more than what you can afford. Reputable local movers should send out a representative to your house or apartment and look over everything that you have. Seattle movers should then be able to offer you an estimate of how much it will cost. Make sure that they have someone come out and look at everything. Don’t let them just offer you a quote over the phone. Once they do give you an estimate, make sure that you have it written down on some kind of binding form. You need to make sure they won’t try and charge you more afterward.
How do local movers estimate the cost?
When local movers come out for a quote, you should also ask them how they are going to determine how much the move will cost. Ask professional movers how they calculate the final cost and what their pricing structure is. Local movers generally charge per hour, but this varies by company. What about the number of professional movers? Does the weight of your items matter? Also, many local movers have a minimum hourly charge, regardless of how long the move actually takes. Make sure you know that minimum, you understand their policies, and have all the necessary information. No matter which one they use, it’s important for you to know. You could end up finding a cheaper deal with different local movers that calculates it differently.
Do your professional movers has experience with your specific type of move?
Different professional movers specialize in different types of moves, and it’s important to make sure the company you’re choosing is familiar with the kind of service you’re requesting. For instance, if you’re moving your office on a tight schedule, make sure the professional movers you hire offer commercial services that work with your deadlines. If you are moving your apartment, make sure your chosen local movers have experience in residential moves, etc. Besides, can the local movers you’re looking into doing all you need, from packing supplies to shipping your belongings to unpacking the truck? Ask your potential Seattle movers about all of the services they offer and match up to the requirements you have set for your professional movers. The easiest for you would be if they have everything you want, from packing to moving your entire place.
Do your company offer packing services?
If you’re moving on a tight schedule, packing services are a lifesaver! We all know that packing is the worst part of every relocation, so we would definitely suggest hiring the best movers near me for the packing process. Many professional movers offer packing as an additional service. Asking questions about packing services is crucial to avoid paying extra fees. When doing your research, learn what kind of services each local movers offer. Ask how much specific services cost and what you need to do to prepare. Sometimes known as accessorial charges, packing services include packing, unpacking, crating, or appliance disconnection by the professional movers.
These charges are added to your baseline moving costs. Ask each local movers what types of packing services they offer, how much they cost, and what you need to prepare. For a little extra money, some budget movers will give you all the supplies you need to pack up your things. Professional movers may prefer that you use their supplies instead of getting boxes from the supermarket downtown. Also, you could lose any liability insurance if you pack all your things yourself so you’ll want to ask about that. Find out if there is anything they don’t want you to pack yourself. Most local movers have some items they do not move, so you must check with them before.
How experienced is the moving crew?
Moving is a very personal experience. Keep in mind that local movers you select will be around your personal belongings and family members. This is why it’s crucial to ensure the safety and security of your family and belongings by inquiring about background checks and professional training of the moving company’s staff. Many professional movers will hire extra help during peak times to augment their core crew, and this is perfectly understandable. However, you should insist that any temporary local movers involved in your relocation are properly supervised to ensure they carry out the job to professional standards.
You don’t want them to lack experience, make rookie mistakes, or even get injured in the process, so you are advised to request professional movers for your relocation. If you are looking for the best movers near me, make sure they are experienced. Verify credentials and search online for reviews and any potential complaints. Working with professionally trained local movers who have passed a background check can help reduce incidents of theft or damage of your items and enhance the safety of everyone in the home.
Are there any extra fees?
We can all agree that moving is already stressful enough. The last thing you want is to find out at the last minute that there are additional fees and taxes for something you thought was standard. You don’t want any kind of surprises on moving day. In addition to finding out how much the move will cost, you should also figure out if there are any hidden fees. Ask the professional movers from the beginning of your move requires any special services that require additional fees. Sometimes local movers will try and hit you with extra charges, so make sure you ask them if there are any before you sign any paperwork. Sometimes they will try and charge you an extra fee for things like carrying items up and down stairs, using elevators, etc.
How much time will the move take?
Because every move is different, there is no correct answer for this question — moving a one-bedroom apartment will obviously be quicker than moving a four-bedroom house but other factors like traffic, distance traveled, assembly & disassembly, the fragility of items, and complexity of the move all affect the number of hours to complete the service. Most local moves can be completed in one day if you hire local movers. Still, you need to know how long the local movers plan to take so you can plan your day accordingly.
One of the best ways to have a smooth moving experience is to ask the right questions from the start. By inquiring about moving quotes, credentials, and background checks, you can cover the basics of moving that will give you peace of mind. So, before you sort out the finer points of your move, it’s important to get acquainted with each of the moving companies you’re considering. To learn more about local movers’ track record, you should ask about their business, qualifications, and references
A little research will enable you to select reliable, experienced professional movers to handle the transfer of your furniture, appliances, and equipment, so to help you choose the best local movers, we’ve put together this checklist of the vital questions you need to ask when selecting your professional movers. These questions should help you determine whether you want to move forward with their service. And if you want to hire the best local movers in city-hire Movers Redmond, and you won’t regret it! Get your free moving quote today!