Questions to Ask Your Movers Before Hiring Them

Are you planning on moving to a new place soon? As you probably know, moving is among the few stressful life events, somewhere next to divorce and a relative dying. Even if you’re moving to start a new, happier chapter of your life, moving to a new place always comes with particular challenges. Making the option to employ moving pros or do it yourself is one of the more critical questions you must ask yourself at the beginning of the process. Of course, if you’re working on a tight budget, hiring movers might not be plausible. However, given how exhausting moving may be, most people choose to hire a moving company after all. But you shouldn’t make this decision lightly. So, to help you out, we compiled a list of questions to ask your movers before hiring them.

Are you licensed?

When planning your move, make sure to inquire about the moving company’s license at the beginning. This is the best way to eliminate moving scams and dishonest movers from the start. The United States Department of Transportation should give a license number to each professional interstate moving company (USDOT). After you have their license, you can look up their license number and USDOT online complaints history. However, keep in mind that the U.S. Department of Transportation does not regulate local moving companies that solely transfer clients within the same state; rather, the state does. As a result, local movers need to be licensed by the state of California with the BHGS. It’s crucial to remember that each state has its own set of license requirements and restrictions.

Do you offer in-person or virtual walk-through estimates?

Most reputable businesses employ salespeople who provide in-home quotes. This is always a good idea because the individual who visits your property can assess whether there will be any unforeseen issues that could make the relocation more challenging and expensive. They should also be able to visit the new house or contact you to find out if there will be any delivery issues there. A great alternative to in-home estimates is virtual walk-throughs of your home; considering the on-set of the Covid-19 pandemic, a virtual walk-through allows moving companies to cost-effectively consider the variables of your move all the while reducing possible contamination of Covid-19 or related viruses. If a moving company doesn’t offer this service before giving you a quote, this could be a potential red flag. After all, you’re looking for a moving company who’s very honest from the start and who will prepare for your move adequately instead of coming to you with zero preparation. 

Do you offer liability coverage?

What kind of liability insurance the corporation offers is another crucial thing you must find out before hiring movers. Make sure your valuable possessions will be protected in the event of an accident before you give them away. This will also help reduce your stress during the moving day. 

Two different liability choices are required for licensed interstate movers: 

Full Value Protection: In this scenario, the movers are responsible for compensating you for any lost or damaged items during your relocation. This is the most comprehensive package available to safeguard your possessions.

Released Value Protection: This degree of protection is a great, more affordable choice. Although there is no additional cost, the protection is only marginal. In this situation, the mover is responsible for up to $.60 per pound of each object.

Always request proof of insurance from any company you are considering working with.

Are there things you won’t move?

This is one of the most important practical questions to ask your movers before hiring them. The reason is simple; some movers won’t transport specific items. For instance, most movers will not move alcoholic beverages, paint, propane tanks, or motorcycles as these items could damage your other valuables in the truck while being moved. 

Do you take apart furniture and put it back together?

Large furniture pieces, such as bed frames, couches, and dining tables, frequently need to be disassembled in order to be safely transported through doorways and stairways. Make sure you are aware of the services the moving company provides. While many movers will deconstruct and reassemble furniture for you, some won’t, especially when requested to assemble antique furniture without an instruction manual.

How Do You Address Claims and Complaints?

Inquire with the business about any pending claims or complaints. Most will provide you with a history of complaints and claims, along with whether or not they were successfully resolved for the client. Details won’t always be given, but if there are any unresolved problems, inquire as to why, as well as the specifics of the grievance and claim. Ask them how many claims and complaints they’ve received as well; this will give you a decent idea of their track record for incidents.

Do you have any referrals?

Regarding things you must go over before choosing a moving company, references and referrals are crucial. For example, when you’re looking for a new dentist or buying a car, you probably rely on the recommendations of others. So, when you’re looking to hire a moving company, the same reasoning holds. So, check if other people have positive things to say about the company before you agree to give them access to all of your belongings.

Start by asking the company for referrals, but look at them with a grain of salt. When you Google its name, additional information regarding the company’s trustworthiness will appear. Online reviews and ratings offer a wealth of information about what it’s like to work with a moving business. However, sometimes people leave negative reviews for things that are not the fault of the movers in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California. That’s why you need to read the reviews carefully and decide for yourself what is the best option. 

Final Thoughts

While these are some of the most important questions to ask movers before hiring them, this is in no way a complete list. Before hiring movers, you should also find out about the full quote and how they came to that estimate. You should also inquire about other services they provide that might help you out. For example, it’s not uncommon for moving companies to also offer packing services. This can really help you save some time if you’re moving on a tight budget.