Moving to a new home is always a lot of work, but the right moving company can make the process a little bit less stressful. But with so many moving companies out there, how will you know where to even start your search? Here are some tips for how to choose the right furniture movers to make your moving day as stress-free as possible. 

Give yourself plenty of time before the move to do research on moving companies and pack up your belongings. The more time you spend preparing, the less stressed you’ll be when moving day arrives. In the meantime, you can start your search for a reputable moving company with these tips.

Start With Recommendations

The first step to starting your search for a moving company is to get recommendations. If your friends, family members, or coworkers have moved recently, ask them which moving company they used. Your relatives are likely to give you an honest review of the company they worked with. Be sure to ask them plenty of questions about the quality and ease of the service, as well as how satisfied they were with the company. This will get you off to a good start in your search. 

Related Article: DIY Vs. Professional Furniture Moving

Do Your Research!

When you start your research, try not to get overwhelmed in the process. Start by searching for moving companies near you (or at least companies that service your desired area). Research each company to see how long they’ve been in business, what areas they serve, and what their overall reputation is like. If you are moving cross-country, make sure your chosen moving company has all the necessary licenses to cross state lines. Make sure you feel confident in the reliability and validity of your chosen moving company. 

Check Out Ratings and Reviews

These days, most people don’t buy a product or hire a service company without reading reviews first. It should go without saying that you should be wary of companies that have consistently negative reviews. After all, you need to fully trust the moving company with all of your furniture and belongings. One or two negative reviews here are there are ok (we can’t all have perfect days!), but don’t settle for a company that is inconsistent and unreliable. You deserve to have a smooth, stress-free moving experience!

Search Locally

Many times, homeowners are tempted to hire nationally-known moving companies. That’s fine if you are moving to a different state, but don’t underestimate the experience of locally-owned moving companies. Many times, local businesses can be more flexible with scheduling and deliveries than national movers. Just be sure that the local business you select has a well-trained team that is capable of handling larger-scale moves, and that they have met all your state’s licensing requirements. 

Request an Estimate

Getting estimates will be a good way to start narrowing down your options. Don’t be afraid to ask for several estimates from different moving companies. That way, you can compare their prices and see which company best suits your needs while also fitting into your budget. When requesting estimates, be sure to include everything you want moved. That includes items in your garage, attic, shed, basement, and inside every closet. Make sure to discard any items that you aren’t taking with you, as these will inflate your cost if they are still there when moving day arrives. 

The most important thing is to get written estimates—do not accept verbal estimates. The estimate should clearly describe all the charges so you have the most accurate idea of your moving cost. You may also want these additional documents from the mover. 

• Inventory List. This is a receipt that shows each item and its condition prior to the move.

• Order for Service. This document authorizes the mover to transport your items from one location to another. 

• Bill of Lading. This is a receipt for your items and serves as a contract between you and the moving company. Do not sign it unless you are committed to working with the mover. If you don’t understand something on the document or have additional questions. 

Ask Plenty of Questions

As you get to know each company, be sure to ask them plenty of questions, such as…

• How long have you been in the moving business?

• Is your company licensed, insured, and approved to drive across state lines?

• Do you perform background checks on your employees?

• Which crew will be responsible for transferring my property?

• Do you guarantee the delivery on the date I requested?

• Do you offer rescheduled moves in case of inclement weather or emergencies?

Make sure you are comfortable with the answers you receive. If you still feel like you are missing information or don’t trust the answers, keep looking for a company. Your effort will be worth it in the end!

Make Sure They Offer What You Need

Most moving companies will offer some of the same core services, such as furniture delivery and installation. But if you need additional services, such as storage or refurbishing, you may be disappointed to find out that not every moving company offers these services. 

Andrews Installation offers the following services:

• Residential Moving

• Commercial Moving Services

• Furniture Delivery

• Furniture Installation

• Storage and Warehousing

• Reconfigurations

• Management and Logistics

• …and more!

Narrow Down Your Options

Now that you’ve looked into a handful of moving companies, it’s time to start narrowing down your options and make a choice. Most people immediately cross out companies that are outside of their budget. Others who are moving cross-country may prefer to work with national chains. Once you know what you need, and you have several estimates to compare, start crossing out the companies that won’t be able to provide you with what you need. 

If you are down to the final few companies, it may be difficult to choose just one. And sometimes the differences between the companies are so minor that it may not make a difference which one you choose. You can always get feedback from your family or friends to make this decision. And don’t be afraid to trust your gut!

Don’t Stress!

Moving is already a stressful process, so don’t overwhelm yourself when trying to hire a mover. Do plenty of research, but not so much that you get overloaded with information and can’t make a decision. Ask for recommendations and suggestions from your family and friends, and see if they can help you make the decision if you are unsure. And if you’re in doubt, trust your gut! Just make sure you are confident in your decision and get everything prepared ahead of the move. This will help you avoid stress when moving day arrives. 

How to Choose the Right Furniture Movers

With the right moving company on your side, moving can be a smooth process. It can seem daunting to select the right moving company for the job, but you have plenty of resources to make an informed decision. 

We hope this guide has helped you learn how to choose the right furniture movers. If you have additional questions or want to ask us about our moving services, feel free to call us at (602) 334-7912 or send an email to landrews@andrewsinstall.com. We are happy to help with your next moving project!