How to Find Reputable Packers and Movers
Finding good and reputable professional packers and movers, means contacting local moving companies to see what they have to offer and ensure that their business is reliable. The price of moving is an important factor, but the lowest price should not be your only factor when making a decision.
Watch out for estimates and relocation prices that seem excessively low compared to others you have received, as these are often signs of fraud or a company that will not provide an acceptable level of service and professionalism.
Making a decision concerning any aspect of our lives can be very complex, given the consequences on multiple grounds that may arise. Choosing a moving company may not seem like an important life decision, but it certainly is.
How to Find Professional Packers and Movers?
Hiring a company that offers packing and moving services is not an easy task. You are probably doing this because you want to improve your moving experience, but since you are paying for this service, you need to be careful with your decisions. If you want to make the most of the professional packers and movers you will hire, pay attention to the following tips.
When moving, you are actually giving all of your trust into the ones that will help you move. All of your life belongings will be loaded into a truck, and you want those items to be delivered safely to your new home.
#1 Ask for recommendations
Recommendations from your friends or family and ratings are the most trusted way to find reliable professional packers and movers. If your friend had a great experience with a moving company, that is the first sign that you can trust that company with your move.
Hiring professional packers and movers is like swimming in the ocean – you won’t have a direction in finding the best local moving company for your needs. To make things easier for you, ask for recommendations from friends and family. If in the past they could hire professional packers and movers in Seattle, ask which moving company you should hire and which companies you should stay away from. Since your social circle has first-hand experience with these moving companies, you will have a better idea of how they work and what to expect.
Once family and friends give you recommendations, you may already have a list of qualified local reputable moving companies. List all these companies, find their contact numbers and contact them. Inquire about their services and costs, and most importantly, their customer service as well. Ask as many companies for a quote as possible, so you can compare at least three possibilities. An overview of different professional packers and movers will give you an idea of the standard cost of services and which one is actually suitable for your budget.
#2 Read reviews and complaints
The most important thing to look for in professional packers and movers are good, honest reviews.
See what other people that have used their services are saying about the company by searching the web with the company name and such terms as “complaints” and “reviews.”
A simple Google search might seem like an ideal way to pick a good moving company.
Nowadays, it is hard to imagine that you cannot find some useful information on the largest global network, the Internet. Google, as the largest and most famous search engine, will offer you answers to almost every question, including the choice of moving company. Their recommendations are the result of complicated, complex and quite logical criteria and should certainly be taken seriously.
#3 Finding a legitimate company
In addition to collecting recommendations from people you trust, you should also do your own research. This means you should check referral sites like Angi, Yelp, and Google Reviews.
Hiring a moving company is a very stressful and expensive experience, and if you don’t take precautions it can quickly turn into a nightmare.Try to find professional packers and movers that have been in business for at least ten years.
Ask if the company is regulated and licensed. Beware of the scam companies that have unusually low prices compared to other moving companies. Unfortunately, the moving industry is also plagued by scammers who take advantage of people who do not know how to find a reputable moving company.
These companies do not own or operate any trucks or employ movers. They simply collect a deposit and never show up on the moving day.
#4 Carefully study the cost of movers and packers
Talking to a representative of a relocation agency in Seattle that offers cheap moving prices and competitive services can be tempting. When you hear a good offer like this, you can immediately say “yes” and hire them. While it may be tempting to skip a few questions, don’t do that.
In addition to services and costs, inquire about estimates of your move. Make sure your professional packers and movers are transparent with the fees they will charge you. While you’re at it, don’t forget to ask about the factors that can affect these fees.
Ask what is included and what is not included in the price. Do you have to pack all your belongings up yourself or will the professional packers and movers take care of it for you?
When you are informed about this issue, you will increase the chances of paying lower prices. Ask about any hidden fees or extra charges that may happen on the move day.
#5 Inquire about the insurance
It is critical that the moving company you choose provides insurance. Moving insurance covers losses or damage to your possessions during a move. The last thing you want is for one of your movers to accidentally drop your valuable belongings down the stairs, and the item is not insured. Ask the company for their certificate of insurance and verify the coverage options that they carry.
There are several types of insurance. The type you choose will determine the reimbursement you will receive if any of your items are lost or damaged.
Most companies offer only basic liability coverage and that type of insurance is included in the price of the hourly rate.
That means that you will get compensated if your item or items are damaged or lost, but the coverage is calculated only by the weight of the item, not by its value. Therefore, you will receive up to 60 cents per pound for an item.
Full value protection insurance. With full value protection, your moving company is liable for the total replacement value of your lost or damaged possessions in your move. This insurance is usually provided by a third party and it is paid extra, besides the hourly rate cost for your move.
If you decide to purchase the extra moving insurance through the movers or from a third party provider, make sure you get the coverage details in writing and understand what’s covered and excluded.
#6 Types of estimates
Once you have gathered your shortlist of moving companies, it is time to get estimates.
Get at least five different quotes so you can decide which one suits your needs best.
An Estimate on the cost for your move can be done over the phone or on site. Nowadays, because of the Covid-19 , most companies have stopped doing onsite estimates, but they will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate over the phone.
In order for your estimate to be precise, you should provide the company with the exact list of items, but also the details of the conditions in which the move will be done – such as narrow hallways, elevator, stairs, anything that may be problematic.Make sure the moving company is perfectly aware of everything that has to be moved, because the cost will increase if anything is added to the move that was not included in the estimate.
Make sure to check if the estimate is binding, non-binding, or non-binding with a price ceiling.
What is a Binding estimate?
The price quoted is the price you will pay, nevertheless if any additional time is required to complete the job or any unplanned circumstances.
What is a Non-binding with a price ceiling?
The quoted price is subject to change based on the time needed to complete the job, difficulty, and other circumstances, but it can’t exceed the maximum agreed-upon price.
What is a Non-binding estimate?
This means that the price quoted is subject to change and has no upper limit.
#7 Cost to hire professional packers and movers
When hiring local movers, you will need to familiarize yourself with the average cost of moving so that you can recognize some red flags of moving fraud. Unlike cross-country long distance moving companies, local movers will charge by the hour and they mostly have the three hour minimum charge.
The ultimate cost of hiring professional movers and packers will depend on the size and number of items they will move and pack. That is why the customer representative will ask you about the size of move, the square footage and the location for the pick up and the drop off.
Trained professional packers and movers are able to pack up your entire home from a few hours to a few days depending on how big your home is and how many items you have.
Paying for this kind of service is the ultimate guarantee that your household belongings will get the best packing care during the entire move.
Determine the value of each moving company by comparing quality service versus price.
#8 Trust your instinct
Follow your heart. When talking with a customer representative, you may hear some very kind voice providing you with all the information you need and answering patiently on all of your questions. That is the true face of the moving company that you are dealing with. If they are kind and in a good mood, that could be a sign that they are treated well in that company, and you know how important it is for a company to treat their employees well. gut instinct.
No one wants to do business with unprofessional and unkind people, so you shouldn’t trust your life belongings with those kinds of moving companies either. At the end of the day, trust in your
If you are still in the search for your moving company, feel free to contact us here.
We can provide you with a quote for your move in just a couple of minutes over our website, or over the phone.
Down the street or across town, Seattle Professional Movers can help you there.