You finally found the apartment of your dreams and now it’s time to really start the moving process. Choosing the right moving company can be hard work but in order to have a successful moving experience, doing your research and making sure you pick a reliable moving service is crucial.
After all, you are trusting strangers to pack, move and be responsible for everything you own and it’s important to take the necessary steps to find a trustworthy company and avoid any issues.
Although sometimes it might feel easier to just go for the quicker and cheaper option, moving is a big deal and you want to be sure you’re making good decisions when it comes to relocating all of your belongings to a new home.
To avoid scams and unnecessary headaches, FlatRate put together a guide so you can rest knowing that the moving company you picked is reliable and authentic.
Hire a Local Mover
The best decision you can make is to hire a local moving company.
When it comes to city moving, FlatRate knows every corner of NYC better than most cab drivers. Local knowledge is a huge advantage and makes the moving process much simpler. Beating traffic or dealing with parking regulations are local skills best left to local knowledge.
If you look for local companies it will also be easier to find people who have used the service before. Reviews and referrals will also be easier to find.
Get Referrals
Searching the Internet for moving industry reviews can be daunting. We recommend that you start your research by asking recently moved friends and family members.
When a friend recommends a specific company and team, reach out and see if it is possible to use the same crew. We suggest asking your real estate agent or broker for recommendations.
At FlatRate, we take pride in beating the moving industry’s claim rate average for over 20 years. According to AMSA, 1 in 5 moves results in claims at an average of $1,000 loss while FlatRate holds a solid 5% claim rate compared to other moving companies at 20%.
Get Estimates
Good methods to measure the reliability of a moving company include getting different estimates. Get at least three estimates from different moving services and compare them for an accurate price.
Be suspicious if an estimate is unusually low or extremely expensive. These two red flags are signs that the moving company you’re looking into might not be reliable.
During your estimate, pay attention to how professional the moving company seems — can they answer all your questions? Are they providing you with specific information about delivery dates, packing supplies, and other important moving details? If possible, request an onsite appointment so you can get the most trustworthy and accurate estimate.
At FlatRate we offer both on-call and onsite estimates and with our FlatRate formula, we provide customers with an upfront estimate of their move based on their inventory and the distance they are traveling. This all-inclusive price is the result of years of experience and proprietary software.
Verify Credentials
For interstate moving, a moving company must have a number issued by the Department of Transportation: this license identifies the commercial vehicles that will be used during the move and proves that the company is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Licensed movers will provide you with their DOT number when requested.
FlatRate is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded moving company that complies with the regulations created by the New York Department of Transportation and receives a storage license from the Department of Consumer Affairs. For long-distance moving, we are regulated by the United States Department of Transportation.
Verify Their Address
When researching moving companies, make sure the one you’re leaning towards has a physical address.
Moving companies that don’t have an address listed online should raise a major red flag when it comes to legitimacy. Addresses listed under a residential name are suspect.