Planning a move is an exhausting endeavor that takes plenty of thoughtful planning. One of the most important aspects of planning is selecting the best mover for your situation. There are multitudes of companies available to select from. Most folks move infrequently, and consequently know very little about the business or its intricacies.
One very important thing to remember is that you mover will be in possession and responsible for almost the entire contents of your home in most instances. For this reason, it is critical to select a company that is trustworthy, and that has employees that are trustworthy. Not only is trustworthiness critical, but the level skill that your company provides you can prevent damages to your home and contents. Securing this information can be arduous and time consuming.
It is wise to know that in theory it is simple to get into the moving business. All you really need is a truck, some dollies, a few pads and a couple of strong backs. There are many companies starting in such a fashion every year, and they come and go like clockwork. In fact, to operate a professional moving company you need all of the above, but you also need highly trained and skilled employees. You also need to obtain authority to operate, and minimum levels of insurance which include worker's comp, liability, and cargo. Finally, you must understand and comply with the rules and regulations governing the business on the state and federal levels, including producing and maintaining the proper paperwork and documents. And it is useful to be able to produce accurate estimates of weight, packing, and time taken to produce moves. As we see, there is much more to the moving business than at first meets the eye.
It is easy to assume that all moving companies are equal, and that the best mover is the cheapest. This can be a devastating mistake. While there may be some people who legitimately do not really care if their goods are scratched or dented. However, it also important to understand that should a company send employees not covered by workers compensation, the client can be held financially liable for injuries sustained on the job.
It is easy to see how a company can be cheap if they are cutting corners on legally required expenditures. In addition, they can cut corners by using inadequate, under maintained equipment and by utilizing untrained and unskilled employees as cost cutting techniques. Of course, cost is an important factor in selecting a mover, and once you have established that the companies you are considering are reputable it makes sense to consider economics.
So how do you figure out where to start? The first thing to consider is whether the company is licensed by the appropriate agency regulating the type of move you are making. In North Carolina, there are two agencies governing residential moves. For in state moves The North Carolina Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over movers. You can check this link for a list of licensed movers http://www.ncuc.net/consumer/carriers.pdf. In addition, movers operating legally under North Carolina Public Utilities authority must display their license number on both cab doors and on the rear cargo door of the trucks they operate.
For moves leaving or entering North Carolina or traveling amongst other states, the governing agency is The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can check this site to confirm that the mover has interstate operating authority: https://www.protectyourmove.gov/. Movers providing interstate service are required to display both a DOT and an MC number on both cab doors.
Once you have determined that the companies you are considering are legal, the next step is to find out if they are actually reputable. It is possible to be completely legal, and still be less than stellar. There are ways to figure it out. One good gauge of a company's quality is its ability to survive in a competitive market. Most moving companies providing inferior service do not survive long. Find out how long the company has been in business, and whether operated by the same management. Longer service is usually better in the moving business.
But how do you begin the process of choosing a mover? One very reliable method is by referral. Ask around. Ask friends, acquaintances, co-workers, club members. It is likely that you will hear the same companies talked about by multiple sources, especially if they have been around for a while. Many people look to the yellow pages for movers, and many reputable companies advertise there. However, be aware that the producers of the yellow pages are not required to verify the licensing of their advertisers. Legal companies are required to post their DOT, MC, and NCUC numbers on all of their advertising, so that is a good thing to watch.
One other resource you can use is the Better Business Bureau. They keep records of length of service, ownership, contact persons, and recent complaint activity. An inordinate number of complaints may indicate a need for caution.
Today the internet is a favorite for those searching for services, and the moving business is no exception. Many moving companies advertise in several different ways on the internet. First, they will have their own web site, and it is reasonable to examine these for information. In addition, there are companies offering to provide the consumer with multiple moving quotes from different companies. Movers pay a fee for those leads. Many of these quote providers prescreen the movers they use, but there are some that do not. The advantage to the consumer is that they can fill out the form one time for multiple quotes, rather than one for each company.
Although you may easily find a great moving company on the web, please beware. The anonymity of the web offers safe haven to many corrupt companies. If you choose to select from the internet, it is wise to be diligent with your research and make sure you are considering a legitimate company. Make sure they have a verifiable address and not just a PO Box.
Another thing to consider when selecting a mover is the niche that the company fills. Many companies will provide any moving service that you need, but excel in certain areas. Some companies focus on interstate moving, and while they may provide local service, you may pay them more than is necessary for a local move. Other companies may be more focused on office or commercial moving, and while they may provide residential service, you may have a better move with a company focusing on residential.
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