Are you looking to hire the best movers in Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas? Call Auburn Moving & Storage at (916) 786-8683 to request an estimate.
Moving is a stressful. According to a survey by OnePoll, reported in the New York Post, up to 64% of people agree it’s the most stressful life event. Many people hire a moving company to help with the process.
In the survey, 43% of people who completed the move without hiring a moving company stated that they’d never do it again, while 94% of people who knew how to hire movers for their last move agreed it was worth the money.
In this post, Sacramento’s moving service covers the steps to hire a moving company to make your relocation a hassle-free experience.
10 Tips for Hiring Reliable Movers
Finding and hiring movers in a sea of options often feels impossible. How do you know a company is who they say they are? How can you avoid working with companies that will put your belongings at risk?
Selecting professional movers should be less challenging if you adhere to the following tips:
1. Ask for References
The best way to whittle down the list of possible companies you can hire is to get references from others who have completed a move. If you don’t have anyone like that in your circle, you can find some reputable companies online by checking review sites.
A reputable company ticks the following boxes:
- They have been in business for a long time
- They have all the necessary licenses
- They have a good record on the Better Business Bureau
2. Request a Detailed Inventory
One of the most important points to keep in mind when thinking about how to hire movers is to only choose a company that will carefully complete an inventory of your belongings. They will check items off the list when loading and unloading the van.
The inventory will have subcategories if the movers pack your boxes for you. Either way, it’s crucial that you carefully review the inventory lists before you sign off on anything.
You can’t file a claim for an item that is not in the inventory later.
3. Request a Comprehensive Walk-Through
When hiring moving services, avoid choosing companies that will give you an estimate over the phone or those that will cast a cursory glance at your belongings during physical visits and blurt out a figure.
The best moving companies will thoroughly evaluate your property and belongings. Don’t forget to show them items you intend to move in your attic or basement.
4. Avoid Companies Demanding a Large Upfront Deposit Request
Reliable moving companies can ask for a small deposit. However, the alarm bells should start ringing if you run into a mover that requests a large deposit or even full payment. It’s one of the oldest moving company scams.
There’s a high chance the company will disappear with your deposit.
5. Don’t Sign a Blank Contract
Some companies might try to get you to sign a contract with most of the fields still empty after a few minutes of phone conversation. Signing that contract can put you in a bind when they finally fill out the pages.
6. Check for Any Extra Fees
When discussing costs with the moving company, find out all the extra fees you’ll pay. They can increase the total cost of the move by up to 50%. Some movers will charge you for draping furniture, taping boxes, climbing stairs, and more. Others may charge for moving the dryer and washer.
7. Request Quotes From Multiple Companies
After you’ve found a few companies that tick the right boxes, request quotes from at least three for comparison. You can drop any company offering quotes that are too high or much lower than the average. Ensure you’re comparing apples to apples while weighing the prices, though.
8. Watch for the Name Switch
Many companies try to avoid assessment by the Better Business Bureau by doing business under multiple names. Others change their names after receiving negative reviews while retaining the same state and federal license numbers.
Pay attention and avoid companies that have multiple names.
9. Take Advantage of the Window of Opportunity
You can only lodge complaints about damage to your belongings within nine months. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge your claim and another 120 days to deny your claim or make you an offer. Therefore, it’s best to open your boxes within three to six months after your move.
10. Choose the Right Insurance and Valuation Protection
All moving companies must assume liability and protection for the value of the goods they move. However, there are two main levels of liability. You need to know what each one means and the level of protection you can expect from each.
Full (Replacement) Value Protection
This plan is the default option. It’s costlier, but it will protect your belongings better. If any of your items are lost, damaged, or destroyed in transit, the moving company has to do one of the following:
- Repair the item and get it to how it was when they took it from your home or offer to pay you for the repairs.
- Replace the item or pay you the cost of the replacement.
Alternative Level of Liability
This level of liability will not cost you any extras, but the protection for your belongings is minimal. Under this option, the movers are only liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound for every item you’re moving. So, if they lose or damage your 100-pound instrument that costs $10,000, they are only liable for $60.
Choose the Best Moving Team in Sacramento
Knowing how to hire movers is one thing; choosing the right moving team is another. With Auburn Moving & Storage, you don’t have to draw that distinction.
We are a fully licensed and experienced company with nearly two decades of history helping property owners with hassle-free packing and moving.
Is it time to move? Call Auburn Moving & Storage in Sacramento, CA, at (916) 786-8683 to request an estimate.
