How to hire a moving company: 10 questions everyone should ask

Moving is no easy job. It takes up a lot of time, effort and logistics. If you are planning to move to a new estate in Coral Gables and are in search of the right estate moving service, even this can be a daunting task. How do you choose the right local movers when the selection is so big?

To help you decide, we’ve assembled 10 crucial questions you should ask every estate moving service you’re considering hiring for the job.

1. Is the company properly licensed?

We’ll start with the basics. This may seem obvious, but somehow people tend to skip it.

A credible license is a clear sign that you’re not dealing with amateurs, rather than experienced, trustworthy professionals who don’t take their job lightly. Also, proper licensing means that the estate movers will do the work in compliance with the federal laws, so if anything goes wrong, you have an institution with which to file a complaint. More importantly, the local movers you are consider hiring should be members of American Mover and Storage Association.

2. For how long has the company been working?

An answer to this question is another testament to the company’s professionalism.

If a company has been around for at least a few years, it means they’re doing something right, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to survive.

Not to say that you should immediately discredit any newbies in the business, but experience does add some gravitas to the company.

3. Can you provide any references?

This is an important one!

Not only will you be able to tell how the old customers are satisfied with the work done by the company, but you’ll also be able to decipher a lot from the way the company handles this question.

If they are happy to provide you references, it means they have nothing to hide. If they are evasive and secretive, be cautious.

It doesn’t matter if the references are in an online form. As long as the company can provide you with an insight into how their old jobs went, you have nothing to worry about.

4. How experienced is the estate moving crew?

Be sure to ask how experienced are the actual local movers that will handle your things. Are they permanently employed professionals who are properly trained and know their job, or are they temps who are hired to help out in the peak moving season?

This question is important so you could evaluate if the local movers will know how to handle breakables and delicate things.

At Orange Movers, our professional and serviceable crew knows very well what they are doing. They have plenty of experience under their belt and are able to handle even the most complicated estate moves. We regularly operate in Coral Gables and rest assured that your estate moving will be handled with utmost care.

5. How should I pack?

Ask if there are any restrictions to how to pack your stuff. If you should use boxes of special size and how should you protect the furniture.

Even if the company doesn’t have any restrictions in this area, they should be able to provide you with advice on how to properly secure your things, so they are safe and sound when they reach your new home.

6. What are the payment options?

People tend to shy away from talking about money, but you really shouldn’t. After all, it’s your money that you’re spending and you should be sure what you’re getting for it.

Check out what are the payment options. Ask the company what they consider extra services and how much do they cost. What is their cancellation policy? How big of a deposit do you have to pay? Make sure that before you decide, you have all the right answers.

Be careful with really cheap deals. More often than not they carry a plethora of surcharges with them and you end up paying much more than you initially were supposed to.

7. How long will the move take?

You should know when you can expect the local movers to arrive so you could meet them. Also, ask what happens if you’re not there to meet them (you never know what might happen). Will they wait for you and if yes, for how long. Setting a clear timeline is essential when you’re planning an estate moving so be sure to know how much time they are going to take and be skeptical of the unrealistically short estimates.

8. Do you provide liability coverage?

You have to know what you’re getting into and that also means being prepared for the worst case scenario. Check out what liability options does the estate moving service provide and how much does it cost.

9. Do you have all the necessary equipment?

Moving is a physical job that requires adequate equipment to be done properly. Make sure the local movers have everything they need. Also, be sure they have the right size truck that’s going to fit all your belongings.

10. Do you have any questions for me?

You can tell a lot about the company’s professionalism by the questions they are going to ask you. Before they accept the job, they should get all the possible details and the only way to get them is to ask you.

Answer honestly and don’t underestimate the work that needs to be done.

By following these simple tips, finding the right estate moving company may take a little time, but it will eliminate those who don’t take their business seriously and provide you with a company that is the perfect fit for you.