13 Essential Questions to Ask Moving Companies Before Relocating

Why You Should Ask Questions Before Hiring Movers?

There are a number of ways to move, including DIY move, partial move, and moving with a professional mover. To find the right professional moving company you must know various questions to ask a moving company.

Before hiring a moving company, you must be wondering about what to know before hiring a mover. These questions for the mover will help you explore various details about the mover. When you start planning your move, you must ask this question movers as it will help-

• Avoid hidden costs and scams- When you research about the move, you will learn about the hidden costs they add at the last moment. It will protect you from moving scams as you are aware of the false acts played by the movers to extort money from the customers.
• Ensure safe and timely delivery- If you have questions about moving companies, you will learn every bit about them. This will ensure that your belongings are safe with the mover and you will receive your shipment on time.
• Peace of mind and better service quality- With in-depth research and customer reviews you will get peace of mind and experience better service quality from the mover.

13 Essential Questions to Ask Moving Companies

Before hiring a professional mover, your mind is equipped with thoughts on what to know before hiring a move. Lets go with the top 13 essential questions to ask moving companies before relocating.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Licensing and insurance of a moving company are critical parameters, and they provide extra protection for your belongings. When you hire a moving company, you must ask this question to the moving company to learn about their legitimacy and accountability.

If a mover is licensed, it means it operates legally and adheres to the industry standards according to the regulatory bodies. For interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues a USDOT number, while for intrastate moves, it is typically a state-level agency. A licensed company is accountable to these authorities. There are different types of protection for your belongings, including- cargo insurance, full-value protection, and more.

But before hiring movers, verify their credentials, and for this, you can ask them for proof. Verification is an easy process; for interstate movers, check their USDOT number, and for intrastate movers, check their state license number.

2. What Type of Liability Coverage Do You Offer?

When it comes to protecting your belongings during the move, it is important to understand the type of liability coverage. Moving companies offer two primary types of “valuation” or liability coverage. Released Value Protection does not include any extra cost, provides minimal protection, and covers the damage or loss of items due to movers’ negligence.

This option is highly restrictive and provides far less compensation. However, full-value protection is available at additional cost and typically ranges from 1% to 5% of the declared value. With full-value protection, the moving company is liable for the replacement value of the items in case of damage or loss during the transition.

There are additional insurance options, which are third-party insurance and offer extra protection. It has broader coverage as it often covers risks beyond movers’ control, such as “acts of God”. Before hiring a moving company, ask these questions about their liability coverage- can you provide me with documentation outlining the terms and conditions, what type of coverage you provide, and more?

3. Can You Provide a Written, Binding Estimate?

A legitimate moving company will always be transparent in their pricing, and this is one of the prime questions to ask mover before hiring. Ask the more if they can provide a written, binding estimate for the upcoming move.

Moving companies across the US offer different types of moving estimates, and if you are not aware of their difference, you will have to pay a huge sum at the last minute. So, understand the difference between binding and non-binding estimates. Binding estimates offer a guaranteed fixed price for the moving services, and its number does not change even if the shipment weight or size increases on the moving day.

This is advantageous as there will be no hidden costs or charges on moving day. However, the non-binding estimates offer an approximate value, which is not a guaranteed price. Its value can change on a moving day with the increase in the volume or weight of the shipment. The other type of estimate is a not-to-exceed estimate in which the final price can be higher than the estimated price or less. This is the least offered type of moving estimate.

When you discuss the estimates with the moving companies, watch out for the red flags. A reputable moving company will not provide a written estimate until they visit the site and assess the belongings. If a mover offers extremely lowball estimates and pressurizes to pay a large deposit upfront, then something is wrong. Last-minute additional or surprise charges and lack of transparency about additional charges are also considered major red flags.

4. Do You Have Experience with My Type of Move?

Each move is unique, and it is essential to ask mover these questions whether they are familiar with the type of move you are looking for. Raise this question to avoid any last-minute hassle or confusion. Each moving company has teams of experts, but what expert is needed for your move is a matter of concern.

If you are planning an interstate move, the mover must have skills in handling state-to-state moves with proper licensing. They must have the right moving tools and equipment. For local moving, the moving company must work according to local authorities and will know the best way to handle local move. So, ask the mover about their experience in handling distinct types of moves.

5. What Is Included in the Estimate?

A transparent moving estimate displays the legitimacy of the moving company. So, when you connect with moving companies, ask them questions like what is included in the moving quote they are providing. Most moving estimates include the following costs- transportation costs, packing services, packing materials, fuel surcharge, stairs/long carry fees, disassembly and reassembly costs, appliance services, taxes, valuation coverage, and fees for handling special items.

Also, ask them what cost will not be considered in the moving estimates at any condition. Professional movers will not pack your personal and restricted items. The cost of unpacking and debris removal is not included; however, movers will unload the boxes in the designated rooms. Most movers will not take responsibility for connecting and disconnecting utilities, furniture placement, storage, multiple stops on the way, cleaning services, overtime pay, and insurance.

6. Are There Any Additional or Hidden Fees?

A professional mover will always have transparency in their pricing. Before hiring a moving company, this is one of the major questions to ask movers if there are any additional or hidden fees. It is a direct question for the mover that addresses the potential for unexpected charges. Don’t hesitate to ask about hidden costs that might surprise you on the moving day.

Here are some common hidden costs that can surprise you and affect your moving budget- stairs fees, shuttle service fees, long carry charges, packing supplies, fuel surcharges, additional services requested on moving day, storage-in-transit, and more.

All these fees or charges are easily avoided if you take some measures while requesting moving estimates or booking a mover- ask them for a detailed, written binding estimate, emphasize conducting a pre-move survey,  read the fine print, ask direct questions to the mover, get everything in writing and avoid lowball estimates.

7. What Is Your Cancellation and Refund Policy?

Ask the question about the cancellation and refund policy of the moving company. This can directly influence your financial liability in case your moving plan changes. Notice period varies from company to company; some moving companies require 72 hours while some need 7 days or even more. Discuss in detail about the rescheduling and cancellation of the booking.

The cancellation and refund policies are more restricted during the peak and holiday season. So, ask your mover questions like- what is the minimum notice period required to cancel or reschedule my move? Also, ask if the notice period differs during peak moving seasons.

8. Will You Be Using Subcontractors?

This is a direct question to ask your moving company, as it matters in many ways. The use of subcontractors can affect accountability, service quality, insurance, licensing, and trust. If you are moving with a direct company, then the relocation will be handled by the employees of the company, and they will use company trucks.

There will be a direct chain of command, while in the case of the involvement of subcontractors, the lines of accountability can blur. Reputable moving companies heavily invest in training and service quality. However, the quality of training and standards among contractors may vary. Verify the licensing and insurance status of the company through their USDOT numbers, while this can be a huge challenge in the case of subcontractors. There are several other parameters that can affect the service quality if the move is handled by subcontractors.

9. How Do You Handle Loss or Damage Claims?

Understanding the claim process before your move is crucial. When you connect with them, ask them questions about their claim process- some movers require you to notify them of any loss or damage as soon as possible. Some moving companies prefer inspecting the damage with an onsite survey. Some companies require you to submit a formal written claim,m and there is a timeline that you need to follow.

For a damage claim, you need a number of documents, including an inventory list, delivery receipt, photographs, videos, replacement costs, proof of value, and a claim form. Ask these questions to the mover- what is the process for filing the claim, and what is the deadline for reporting damage or loss?

10. Can You Provide References or Reviews?

Asking for references or reviews will help in finding the credibility of the moving company. Some companies have well-polished websites, but their reviews and references provide insights into their service quality and credibility. If a company offers to share references, get it from at least 2-3 recent customers. Explore different online reviews and ratings and read detailed reviews. Check the total business years of the mover and check for professionalism.

Other than Google, you can check moving company background at websites like BBB, Yelp, Facebook, and FMCSA.

11. What Packing Services Do You Offer?

This is one of the important questions that you must ask your mover. As mentioned earlier, each move is unique, and so are the moving requirements. If you are moving for the first time, then you might not be clear about professional packing services and DIY packing.

Most moving companies offer full-service moves in which they offer packing services by professional packers, and they will also provide high-quality packing supplies. And in DIY packing, you will be responsible for packing supplies and packing all the belongings in the house.

Ask your mover about special item handling while packing. There are various valuables in the house that require special handling, and moving companies charge additional amounts for packing such items. To avoid the last-minute additional expense of packing and packing supplies, ask all the questions related to packing.

12. What Is the Estimated Delivery Window?

There is a difference between the estimated delivery window for local as well as long-distance moves. So, when you book a move, make sure of the estimated delivery window, as it will affect the post-move-in process.

Ask your mover about the delivery date and approximate delivery window. This will help you avoid expenses that can be incurred if the shipment is delayed. If you book a reputable mover, they will keep you informed about the delays through different modes of communication. They will help you find storage during the transit and offer compensation for delays.

13. How Do You Ensure the Safety of My Belongings?

Each item on the moving truck needs to be secured from damage or loss, and thus, you need to ask your mover how they ensure safety. Make sure your mover will bring high-quality packing supplies; and the right moving tools to carry and protect belongings from any damage.

If your mover is a professional, they will label all the boxes and prepare an inventory list that will help in keeping track of the items. Ask your mover if they conduct background checks for their crew member. Ask your mover, whether they conduct background checks on all your moving crew members. And what training do your crew members receive regarding handling customer belongings safely and professionally? All such questions help in understanding how the mover ensures the safety of the belongings.

Bonus Tips - What to Know Before Hiring Movers?

• A detailed background check is an important step before you hire a moving company. This credibility check can save you from prospective scams and last-minute moving hassles. Websites like BBB, ConsumerAffairs, and FMCSA provide historical checks for moving companies across the US. You can check the complaints and appreciation both at the same place and easily compare movers for their services and experience.
• The best way to move from one state to another is by hiring a professional moving company within financial limits. You can find an affordable moving company by comparing multiple moving estimates. This will allow you to understand what are the differences in multiple costs included in the moving quotes. So, for an affordable moving experience, at least compare three moving estimates from different moving companies.
• Being a responsible customer is equally important as a trusted moving company. You need to understand your responsibilities as a customer, like preparing your house for the move, getting some snacks ready for the moving team, and being available at the current and destination house to assist the movers.

Final wordings

So, you are all set with your move, and this article will help you get through. Ask as many questions as you can to avoid any hassle or last-minute hidden costs. With this article, we hope you will find a series of questions to ask mover before hiring.

FAQs

How do I ask for a moving quote?

There are multiple ways to ask for a moving quote from a professional moving company. The best approach is to visit the Van Lines Move website and fill out the moving form. As a response, you will receive multiple moving estimates within a few seconds from multiple moving companies matching your move requirements. You can also reach us via call and get moving estimates online for free.

What to do before the moving company comes?

There are several things you can do before the moving company comes, including covering floors and walls to prevent scratches. Prepare some snacks and beverages, pack a bag of essentials, send children and pets to some safe place with family or babysitter, and keep your personal belongings separate and safe.

When should I book a moving company?

The right time to book a moving company is around 4-8 weeks before the moving date. If you are moving shortly, you can connect with Van Lines Move to book a last-minute moving service.

What should I avoid when hiring movers?

There is a list of things you need to avoid when hiring movers, including phone-only moving estimates, no written estimates, large upfront cash deposits, lowball estimates, movers with no USDOT number, lack of transparency, and cash-only payments.

Do movers offer storage services?

Most moving companies offer storage services as per the customer's needs. In case a moving company does not offer storage service, you can request them to connect you with the required service provider.

Should I tip the movers? If yes, how much?

Tipping is completely optional; if you feel you need to appreciate your moving crew for their hard work, you can tip them. For more details about tipping, explore this article- Guide for Tipping Your Mover.