Moving is one of the most stressful things that a person can go through. The ups and downs of packing, the stress of finding the resources you need, and the anxiety of moving day. The last thing you need is for something to go awry like your movers backing out or finding the day of that they are not qualified for the job.
Luckily, there are some tips for hiring movers that are simple. These insights take a bit of research like all moves but are well worth the effort. Clearing up a move’s confusion and overwhelming nature can allow the excitement to kick in.
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Determining what kind of movers you need to hire
The kind of movers that you will need greatly depends on the type of move you will be doing.
If you need to move a whole family with several beds and pieces of furniture, then you will likely need to hire movers from a full-service company.
If you have the help of some friends and family, then a place to rent trailers and trucks may be more your speed.
Prices for these various types of moves increase in price when you need more resources. However, having the help you need is often worth the cost of hiring movers.
Can You Hire Movers to Move One Item?
Yes! You can hire movers to move one item. This is called a “small move”.
However, not all moving companies do this, and finding one that does will take some digging on your part. If a moving company does not explicitly state if they complete small moves, you can always call and ask.
If you have one item that takes more effort, you may also consider renting a trailer or truck for this purpose. Often, you can find ways to pack around said thing that possibly requires hiring movers.
Things To Watch Out For When Hiring Movers
Unusual Prices
One way to tell if a moving company is legit or not is if their prices seem reasonable. This seems obvious when it comes to a company charging astronomical prices for resources and services that are just not unique.
However, where people lose sight of this sentiment is when the moving price is low. The idea of getting a great deal blinds many people. Extremely low prices that seem like the best deal out there may be a scam.
While many businesses want to be fair to their customers, there are employees to pay and things at the company to keep running. Watch for those prices that just do not make sense.
However, be aware of the price associated with the services you’re requesting. If you’re looking at a full-service moving package the price will be significantly higher than if you pay for labor only.
Blank Contracts
This is one that can sometimes be an easy mistake. You should not sign a blank contract. If the company does not provide an estimate, possible extra fees, and the date of pick-up and drop-off then it is a “no go”.
Companies should be able to give you solid estimates and details by the time you are ready to sign anything. If they’re beating around the bush or avoiding being upfront in writing then you should look elsewhere.
Reviews
Reviews are your best friend while you research. People typically do not move that often, so friends and family may not always have recommendations or things to say about potentially hiring movers.
This makes it important to read reviews, look into other sites that may have commentary on the moving company, and search forums that may have insight into what the moving company is like.
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Missing Info
Another tip for hiring movers is to pay close attention to their website. It is easy to pull off a professional-looking site nowadays, but, missing information can be obvious.
If basic information like licensing, resources offered, and estimates are hard to get or find is missing then stay away.
Scammers try to reel you in with flashy words or fake reviews on the site, but when it comes time to strike a deal they have almost no info to offer up. Avoid anything that lacks evidence to back up their claims.
Doing Your Research
While this is a guide, there are certain things that are easy to skip over in the research process because of how stressful the life event is. You are still responsible for doing your research.
If you have questions that need answers, call the company, or use the help chat. There may be small things that the website does just not address that customer support can most definitely answer.
Small details that you need clarification on will look different than huge chunks of info missing entirely. Hiring movers is meant to make your life easier so ask for help. These companies are meant to serve you.
Hiring Movers Can Be Simple
Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you feel ready to tackle hiring movers and moving day itself.
Now, you can focus on packing and being ready for your movers on moving day. The more put together you are on the day you are set to move, the better the move will go. Best of luck in the hiring process!
Maura De Cicco attends the University of Iowa as a Journalism and Anthropology student. She plans to pursue a strategic communications track when it comes to writing, and an archaeology track when it comes to Anthropology.
