How to Find The Best Moving Company For You
Moving households can be an overwhelming experience when you have to plan every detail and aspect by yourself. Whether you are moving interstate, cross-country, or internationally, you will need to account for many factors to get things done.
Besides finding the right truck to load your belongings on, a driver, and calculating all the fuel and labor costs, you will also have to go through the trouble and ache of safely packing all your items, loading them yourself, and then unloading and unpacking them after your arrival.
This is why hiring a moving company is the best decision you can make for yourself and your wallet. The question is how to find the best moving company for you when there are hundreds, if not thousands, out there.
Worry not; in this article, we will guide you through the whole process of finding the best moving company for you and then present you with our top three recommendations to further ease your research.
How to Find The Best Moving Company For You
1. Find a local moving company in your area
To avoid scam companies that only exist virtually, it is best you find a local moving company in your area if your move is local, interstate, or cross-country. Additionally, you should also visit their office and check out their equipment.
2. Verify credentials
The best moving companies should have certain qualifications and credentials that prove their quality and integrity of service. Such qualifications include being certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and being an American Moving & Storage Association member. Such credentials are usually found at the bottom of the company’s website.
3. Read online reviews and ratings
The best way to recognize a good company is by checking out its online customer reviews and ratings. A company’s reputation is its lifeline. A great point of reference is the Better Business Bureau website; the best moving companies will be accredited with an A+ rating. The website also shows you any customer complaints and if the company took action to resolve them.
4. Avoid high deposit requirements
Moving companies should not require you to pay more than a 20% deposit of your estimated price. Many might even not collect any payments until your belongings are delivered. And so, you should avoid moving companies that require large deposit amounts.
5. Compare estimates
Moving professionals advise you to get at least three in-home estimates from different moving companies so you can compare the best prices and be knowledgeable about your average budget, so you do not end up paying way more than you originally planned.
6. Compare services
Finally, your best moving company is one that can provide you with the services you need. Whether you need a full-service package, partial packing, long-term storage, or storage in transit, your moving company should be able to provide you accordingly at affordable prices.
Furthermore, you should check out the company’s liability protection options. Minimum liability protection is required by federal law, which equates to 60 cents per pound per article. However, many of the best moving companies offer full-value protection that can either replace, repair or cash in for any lost or damaged goods during shipments.
Best Moving Companies Recommendations
By following our steps and recommendations, you will definitely land the best moving company for your move. Following is our top three moving company recommendations that can help you with any kind of move or size. These companies are reputable, highly rated, and certified to carry out any kind of move.
1. American Van Lines
American Van Lines is our top moving company recommendation. It has been operating since 1995, and it offers a flat-rate pricing system, which makes it an affordable option for moving. American Van Lines provides moving services of all kinds; these include:
- Local moving
- Long-distance moving
- Corporate relocation
- Commercial moving
- Storage
Additionally, it also offers full-value protection, virtual and in-house estimates, and certified and professional piano and antique movers. You can reach American Van Lines by scheduling a call on their website or by calling them directly at (888) 296-5458.
2. International Van Lines
International Van Lines is America’s top-rated national moving company. It offers both international and domestic moving services, covering the entire U.S in addition to 150 countries around the globe.
IVL offers flexible services and numeral moving solutions; these include:
- Long-distance moving
- Auto transport
- Corporate relocation
- Office moves
- Government & Military relocation
- International moving
- Ocean freight
- Airfreight
- International auto transport
You can use its online cost calculator to get an idea of your budget, but it is best to reach out to its team to get a more accurate quote. You can reach them on a toll-free number at (877) 647-1336 or by requesting a callback or sending an email through its website by clicking on the phone or email button.
3. Mayflower Transit
Mayflower is our last recommendation for one of the best moving companies in the U.S. It has nearly a century’s worth of experience in the moving industry, and it delivers exceptional services for its customers.
Mayflower offers the following moving types and services:
- Small moves
- Local moves
- Long-distance moves
- Corporate moves
- Military moves
- Car transportation services
- Full-service packages
- Packing services
- Storage services
- Moving protection
Additionally, Mayflower offers real estate cashback rewards as it is partnered with CityPointe. The real estate rewards program provides you with cashback rewards upon selling your old home and purchasing your new one.
You can reach Mayflower Transit by phone at 877-720-4066 or through live chat on their website to get your quote estimate.