Are you moving into a new home or business? If so, you might be looking into hiring professional movers to ease the process and make your next relocation a successful one. However, it’s important to know what to look for when choosing a moving company for your project. Just like in any other industry, there are terrible moving companies and exceptional ones—and just about every other kind of moving company in between.

The worst mistake you can make when hiring a mover is to choose the one advertising the lowest rates. A super low, “one-day-only” flat fee for your relocation might seem enticing, but movers almost never work like that—and deals like this are likely to be scams. Many unlicensed movers or outright con-artists advertise impossibly low prices or “limited time offers” that seem too good to be true. Knowing what to look for in a moving company can help you to avoid falling victim to one of these types of moving companies.

If you’ve already done your homework and are deciding between reputable, professional companies, it’s still important to know what to look for when comparing movers. In this article from the expert local and long-distance movers at Solomon & Sons Relocation Services, you’ll learn what to expect when comparing moving companies—and how to spot the best deal from a reputable moving company in your area.

First Things First: The In-Home (or On-Site) Moving Quote

The most important thing you need to know when comparing moving rates is this: no legitimate moving company will tell you what it will charge without visiting your home or business first to evaluate the scope of your project. If a moving company offers a flat rate over the phone without any mention of an in-home visit, be skeptical.

The in-home pricing estimate and moving consultation is a critical part of the moving process for both the customer and the moving company. By visiting your home, a moving specialist will be able to determine what needs to be done to facilitate the process. In general, it’s recommended that people have at least two or three of these estimates done in order to compare rates and services.

What Kinds of Moving Companies Are There?

There are two types of moving companies: the moving broker, and the moving carrier. A moving broker is a 3rd party company that books your move and hires a subcontractor to perform the complete relocation, charging a finder’s fee for its service. On the other hand, a moving carrier handles your move personally throughout each stage of the process. From the initial quote and estimate to the actual move itself—everything is handled by the same company.

Full-service movers like Solomon & Sons Relocation Services use our own state-of-the-art resources and highly trained staff to plan and execute the project entirely. A professional moving and storage company also offers packing services, free moving consultations, and more—and does not subcontract any aspect of the process at all. For most people, a moving carrier is the best option—as you’re able to work directly with the team you choose from start to finish.

Evaluating Your Moving Estimate and Contract

First things first, always work with a contract—and read through the entire document in its entirety to avoid an unpleasant situation afterward. Your contract will either be binding or non-binding, and it should clearly spell out what will happen, how your move will be handled, and how you will be charged.

A non-binding estimate is an educated guess at what you’ll pay for your move—you could end up paying more or paying less, depending on the space or weight of your belongings measured in cubic feet, packing supplies used, transportation costs, special services required, and other factors. A binding estimate is a precise quote based on calculations performed during the in-home visit. In this case, an itemized list of your belongings will be made along with the services you’ll need, and the cost of the move will reflect that detailed list—so as long as you’re moving only what you agreed to move, you’ll pay that exact price on moving day.

Special Services

Sometimes, special services are required for belongings that are hard or difficult to move. For example, if you’re moving sensitive electronic equipment, expensive artwork, or heavy furniture or musical instruments—your company should be equipped to handle it without risking damage to your expensive property.

Speaking of expensive items, check out your moving company’s insurance coverage policies. Most companies offer a basic valuation coverage of only $0.60 cents per pound for damaged or lost items. You might need special insurance for items that are worth more. While a great moving company will take excellent care of your belongings, it’s still a good idea to include insurance policy information when evaluating companies just in case something should go wrong.

Get a Free Quote from South Florida’s Top-Rated Moving Team

Solomon & Sons Relocation believes in delivering transparent, honest pricing for all of our customers—starting with a free, written quote and in-depth consultation! As an award-winning interstate moving company, we’re not just a broker—we are 100% dedicated to helping you through each stage of your relocation to guarantee that you have an exceptional experience.

For more information about our company and the local, long-distance, and international moving services we provide, give us a call to speak with a team member from Solomon & Sons Relocation today. If you’d like to get started with a free, in-home pricing estimate and consultation, fill out our online form at our website.