How to Choose a Moving Company for Long Distance Relocation?

long distance relocation

Long distance moving is one of the most stressful things, so many people prefer to hire a moving company to help them. There is a wide range of options to choose from when it comes to moving companies, making it harder for most people to choose one. It is essential to invest time and effort into the process of hiring one because you don’t want to end up regretting the choice you made. You will find the right moving company to help you if you put in time and effort.

Below are some tips that will go a long way in helping you choose the right moving company when moving to another state:

Experienced Moving Companies

Hiring experienced movers will save you a lot of time and headaches. When working with someone experienced in moving, they will know what needs to be done. Moving can be complicated, but experienced and best long distance movers can do it better because they have done it better. They know how to handle delicate and large items. You will have peace of mind during the move because you are working with people who have done it for many years.

Asking for referrals

The process of going online and searching for moving companies can be daunting. It is a good idea to start by asking your friends and family if they can recommend moving companies. There is a good chance they have worked with one before, and they will be honest about the quality of service they received. If you are working with a real estate agent, then ask them because they have worked with many over the years.

Look at more than one option

One mistake many people make is going with the first option they come across then regretting later because the one they choose could not deliver. This is why you should look at a couple of options. Shop around for as many as possible. You will then narrow down your options until you have a couple left. Ask the moving companies for an estimate and the services they are going to provide. You should ask at least three companies for estimates. Many of them will be ready to give you an in-person estimate because it is hard to do it without seeing your stuff.

Keep an eye out for red flags

It would help if you always watched out for red flags when asking for estimates. A good moving company is not going to ask you to make a cash deposit before your move. It is not a good sign when the moving company seems hungry for your money upfront. It could be a sign that the company is not legit. When getting your estimate, closely look at your movers and see how professional or unprofessional they are. If they are late or unsure about their abilities, or can’t answer your questions, avoid them. You also need to avoid movers that use rented moving vans. It is a good idea to go with a moving company with its equipment.

Licensed Long Distance Movers

There are some requirements moving companies have to meet before they get their license. These requirements have been put in place to protect the interests of clients and customers. Many people assume that all moving companies out there have been licensed, but this is not always the case. There is a U.S DOT number given to licensed interstate movers. You can verify the moving company’s DOT number by going to FMCSA site protectyourmove.gov and requesting it. This will help you later in case something goes wrong and you need to file a claim.

Insured

Things will not always be perfect when moving, and there are times when things can go wrong. This is why it is a good idea to work with a moving company that has been insured. Insurance is going to give you peace of mind knowing that you will not experience any losses when things go wrong. You need to talk to the moving company about their insurance cover and tell you more about what it covers. There are times when you may need to pay more for an insurance cover. You need to know about this so you can make the right choice.

Reviews

The internet has made it easy for people to know more about a company without getting out of the house. You can easily find more about a business by looking at what past clients are saying about it. If they provided them with quality services, they would leave a positive review. If the moving company did not provide the services they expected, they would leave a negative review sharing their experience. This will help you narrow down your options so you can remain with moving companies that provide quality services.

Verify the Address

The internet has made things more comfortable, which means you can easily hire a moving company without leaving your home. This is why some people never get to visit the moving company’s office even though they have hired them to transport their stuff. You need to pull out the moving company’s address from their website and see their listed address online. The address of the moving company requires to be registered under the name of the company. It would help if you were careful dealing with companies that have listed their address under a residential name.

Avoid moving companies with a name switch

Companies are operating under different names so that they avoid being assessed by BBB. You can know this by verifying the address of the company. Find out whether the company uses other names.

Hiring a moving company is not that hard, but you will need to invest time and effort in the process. There is no need to realize you have made a mistake when it is too late. If you have doubts about a given company, move to the next. You should have full confidence in the company you are looking to hire.

When is The Best Time to Move?

Best Time to Move

Moving is a hectic job, and without prior planning, the process can become far much tedious. The activities you have to undertake before you start driving off range from decluttering, packing, labeling, getting insurance, and looking for a new house wherever you will be going. Whether you are moving across the street or a thousand miles away, the hassle is more or less the same. But when is the right time to conduct this activity? While the timing might seem insignificant, it plays a massive role in determining if the move will be successful in terms of conveniences and finances. The job is costly, and little saving by making better decisions can go a long away. So, there is no answer to that question. The choice depends on a couple of factors. Before embarking on this journey, draft a budget and have an in-depth understanding of your needs. They will make the decision-making process shorter. Read on this detailed guide from Modesty Moving.

Day

The week has seven days, but all of them come with different types of pressures. Monday might seem hectic as most people still appear confused about the festivities of the weekend. Weekends, on the other hand, are free, and so is everyone. It means most people will doing similar activities these days, precisely Saturday. When the week begins, most people go back to work, and thus, moving companies get lesser clients. It should be an ideal moment. Pick a day from Tuesday to Friday. The minimal demand gives you an upper hand to negotiate for better prices. Also, it means you have more days to unpack once arriving at your destination. Weekends are unsuitable as most people prefer to move due to the free time from other engagements.

Time

A day has 24 hours, and you can pick any of them to move. However, there are timings that you should not even think about contracting a moving company. Whether you are doing it yourself or outsourcing the services, you should be out by 8 am. The period is ideal as you can get to the destination before the temperatures increase. Otherwise, you will be uncomfortable the entire time. By the time you arrive, you won’t have the energy to lift a finger. Early birds can attest to the advantage of moving early. By around 10 am, you can beat traffic and focus much by driving comfortably all through. However, to make this possible, you have to ensure that everything is ready the previous night. A delay of one hour can make a big difference. Go to sleep prepared.

Seasons

Choosing the perfect season to move is the hardest of decisions since each comes with pros and cons. The fall is like an offseason for almost everything. It comes with fair pricing for both goods and services. The weather is exceptional as well hence minimal sweating and discomfort. If you want to save on moving costs, then it is the ideal timing for you. Moving companies get fewer clients during this period, thus lowering prices to attract clients. Winter, on the other hand, comes with harsh weather conditions. Who would want to cove during this period? No one, and that why it should be you go to season. It is during this season that the prices go even much lower. The demand drastically reduces to a level where businesses get no customers. Why not take advantage of the situation and achieve your goal. However, it would help if you prepared sufficiently to avoid last-minute rushes. Everybody loves summertime. If you ask anyone, it is their best season regarding the weather.

People get to go to the beaches as schools close, and children spend time engaging in fun activities. However, the period comes with its packs. Due to the availability of time, most people prefer to move during this season. Mostly for parents with school-going children. If the case is similar to you, then you can join the bandwagon. However, expect to pay more since companies experience an influx of clients. In other instances, you can fail to get the service as companies become fully booked. Ensure to sign the contract earlier to eliminate any chance of disappointments. If you are planning to sell your old house, this is the best period as well. The demand is high for everything. Spring is another fantastic season, and the weather becomes less harsh. Also, the need for moving services takes time to increase, making it more economical.

Month

A considerable amount of moves occur during spring and summer. During this period, the rates are high, forcing you to go overboard on your budget. The reason behind this is that parents do not want to interfere with school calendars. Also, most lease contracts start and end at this time. Therefore there is a ton of movements by college students, entrepreneurs, and families. If you want to make the best of your budget, then choose a period between the end of September and April. The demand will reduce drastically, making it a bit cheaper. September 1st is renowned as the moving day. If you take a risk, you will regret it. Towns are always full of traffic, and you can get caught up for hours.

Conclusion

Nevertheless, other factors like medical conditions, work agreements, financial capabilities, and urgency will influence your decision. Not everyone gets the opportunity to work on the ideal date and time. However, with proper prior planning, you can make the best of your move. Ensure you choose a reputable company with sufficient experience.

See also: Moving Checklist

Your Essential Moving Checklist

Moving Checklist

While moving can be stressful, you can eliminate many stresses if you put together a moving checklist. If you go through the steps on this checklist, you’ll be able to prepare for your move and take care of everything you need to.

What to Do a Few Months Before Your Move

Moves require a lot of work, which is why you should start planning your move sooner rather than later. In the months leading up to your move, you’ll want to:

  • Set a moving budget: There are many costs you need to cover while moving, from gas to equipment rentals to hiring movers. Setting an account will make it easier for you to determine what you can and can’t afford.
  • Look into moving companies: Now is the right time to start researching moving companies. Try to look at a range of options, including full-service moving companies and pod rentals.
  • Interview movers: If you’re thinking about working with a moving company, take the time to ask them a few questions. Get a better sense of what it would be like to work with them.
  • Prepare your household: It’s essential to make sure everyone in your family is on the same page regarding your move. If you have children, you’ll want to talk about the move with them to know what they should expect.
  • Give notice if necessary: If you’re a renter, you’ll need to let your landlord know that you’re moving out. The amount of information required should be specified in your lease.

What to Do a Few Weeks Before Your Move

As your move draws nearer, you’ll need to take some concrete steps to make sure you’re prepared for what lies ahead. There are many things you’ll need to make sure are taken care of.

  • Ask friends and family if they can help you move: Having an extra set of hands can make a move easier. You’ll want to talk to friends and family members and figure out who will be able to help before they fill up their schedules.
  • Obtain estimates from moving companies: Even if you’re not sure you want to work with a moving company, it’s smart to seek estimates. Try to get information from three different companies you would be interested in working with.
  • Book a truck: If you decide against hiring movers, or if you’re working with movers that will require you to supply your truck, you’ll want to reserve a vehicle for your move. Trucks are often rented out quickly on weekend move dates, so you’ll want to take care of this ahead of time.
  • Hire movers: If you do decide to hire movers, you’ll want to make sure you book them in advance. Waiting to hire professionals may mean that you won’t book anyone on your desired date.
  • Gather supplies: Make sure you have supplies like cardboard boxes and packing tape on hand.
  • Get rid of things you no longer want or need: The less you bring with you, the better. Now is the time to sell or donate items you don’t use.
  • Develop a plan for packing: Packing is one of the biggest challenges of moving, which is why you’ll want to put together a strategy. You may want to start packing non-essential items now. That way, you’ll have less to pack later on.

What to Do a Few Weeks Before Your Move:

There’s a lot you’ll need to take care of as your move draws closer! Ahead of your move date, you’ll want to make sure you:

  • Take time off work: You may need to take some time off from work for your move. Make sure you request this time off in advance.
  • Forward your mail: Set up mail forwarding so that you’ll continue to receive mail at your new address:
  • Start packing: Now, it is time to start the packing process. You’ll want to pack items that belong in the same room together. You’ll also want to make sure that all of your boxes are clearly labeled.
  • Have your car serviced: If you’re going to be driving to your new destination, you’ll want to have your vehicle serviced. This is especially important if you’re making a long-distance move.

What to Do the Day Before Your Move:

  • Pack a suitcase: You probably won’t have time to unpack everything on the day you move in. That’s why everyone in your household should pack a suitcase that includes essentials like clothing for the next few days and toiletries. Children should also pack a few toys.
  • Make Sure Your Home is Clean: Whether you live in a house or an apartment, you’ll want to make sure your property is clean before it’s time for you to move out.