When you need to hire a moving company, you may be tempted to simply find one in your local area and hire them without putting much thought into it. Unfortunately, this is the approach taken by all too many people when moving. What many people don’t realize is that there are many different moving companies to choose from and they tend to offer different levels of service and pricing, which makes it important to feel them out before agreeing to hire them. Here are some of the important questions you should ask before partnering with a moving company to help with your move.
What Is Your Licensing Information?
Any company that offers moving services needs to be licensing and registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is the arm of the Department of Transportation that oversees the transport industry and any moving company must be recognized by them and remain in good standing to continue to operate. The answer your looking for when you ask this question should be in the form of a USDOT number or an MC number. Either registration number will allow you to easily find information about the company and check on their current licensing status.
Are You A Broker Or Carrier?
A broker is a company that operates as a third party between customers and movers and doesn’t actually do the moving themselves. Carriers are the companies that do the actual labor for your move and it’s an important distinction to make since it’s not always obvious when you look at a company website, or even talk to them over the phone. It’s not an automatic red flag is a company is a broker since they can sometimes help you find the most affordable option, but a company should be forthright with the information when you ask.
Do You Provide Supplies & Necessary Equipment?
As everyone knows, you’re going to need some supplies when moving and even if you prepare by getting boxes and tape, you may still need additional supplies on moving day. The same goes for equipment like hand trucks and straps needed to move heavier items like washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Any experienced moving company should offer these items as a standard part of their service and provide any other things that you may need, even at the last minute.
What Type of Insurance Coverage Is Offered?
Moving companies have to carry a minimum amount of insurance, but some will offer more comprehensive coverage than others. If you happen to be moving high value or delicate items, you’ll want to be sure that the movers you work with have the appropriate amount of coverage to compensate you should anything be damaged during the course of moving. It helps if you can be specific about your insurance needs when contacting a moving company so that you can be sure they offer the appropriate level of coverage for your moving needs.
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