Getting ready to start planning a move? If you’re considering hiring a moving company to help you out, you’ll want to ensure you’re hiring reliable, professional movers.
While many moving companies are top-notch and provide excellent service, the same can’t be said for all of them. According to the Better Business Bureau, nearly 1,100 complaints were filed against moving companies across the U.S. in 2021, and consumers reported more than $730,000 in losses to moving scams.
Luckily, finding a top-notch moving company doesn’t have to be difficult – as long as you know what to look for. Doing your due diligence and thoroughly researching each company you’re considering will allow you to avoid hiring a service you won’t be happy with.
What should you know to make sure you’re hiring the best moving company in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area? Read on to find out.
Ask for Referrals
Do you know anyone who’s recently moved? Did they hire a moving company? Do they live near you? Find out if that person was satisfied with the service they received, and if they were, ask for a referral.
If you don’t have friends or family members to ask, try asking around for referrals from co-workers, or you can even browse local message boards like Nextdoor for recommendations.
If you’re getting a referral from someone you trust, you can rest assured the moving company is a safe bet, as your acquaintances won’t steer you in the wrong direction. However, if you’re browsing your neighborhood bulletin for recommendations or looking at local message boards, take those suggestions with a grain of salt.
Sometimes, message board posts with overly enthusiastic praise about local businesses are actually posted by the business owners themselves. Be wary of any recommendations that sound a little hokey or too good to be true.
Verify Each Company’s Physical Address
When you’re in the process of researching moving companies, make sure you find each company’s physical address on its website. Then search for each address online to verify that the business does indeed have a brick-and-mortar location.
Watch out for companies that are listed under a residential address, as these “companies” are likely scammers or don’t have the proper credentials to move your things legally. If you want to go the extra mile, consider driving by the company’s office to see what it looks like.
If the property is in disrepair or poorly maintained in any way, be wary. Reputable, reliable companies strive to leave an excellent impression in everything they do, including upkeep of their office grounds.
Take a peek at their fleet of trucks, as well, and, if they have them, their storage facility buildings. Simply taking the time to view the company’s physical location will give you a more comprehensive picture of how much pride they take in their work and, more importantly, how they’ll likely care for your belongings during the move.
Get at Least Three Written Estimates
To ensure you’re not getting taken on the price of the moving services you need, get estimates from at least three different moving companies, and get them in writing. Ideally, you’ll want an in-home estimate, since that’s the most accurate and comprehensive type. You’ll also want to ask whether the estimate is binding or non-binding, so you know whether it might change.
If you run into any moving companies that only want to provide estimates over the phone, be wary. That may be a sign of a scam. Be wary of lowball quotes, too, as they typically come from movers who don’t plan on delivering quality service.
Verify Each Moving Company’s Credentials
Vetting is one of the best things you can do to ensure you’re hiring a high-quality moving company. If you’re moving to a new state, check to make sure the movers have a number issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). If the company is licensed, you should be able to find that number somewhere on their website, as it’s required for all interstate moving companies.
In addition to a USDOT number, you should also look for a carrier number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Most moving companies list that on their website as well. Once you have these numbers, verify them using the USDOT Company Snapshot tool.
Read Reviews From Past Customers
If the moving company has a website, they probably also have a Google My Business listing where you can read reviews from past clients. Check out how the company responds to negative reviews and read through several testimonials to get an idea about the level of service they provide.
It’s also a good idea to check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for a company rating (you should see an overall letter grade) and customer reviews.
Check to See How the Company Resolves Complaints
While you’re checking out each company you’re considering, look for complaints on their Better Business Bureau profile (any reputable company will have one). Reliable moving services with integrity will respond to customer complaints and do their best to resolve them, provided the complaints are legitimate.
As you read through any complaints the company may have – count it a good sign if a company has no BBB complaints on file! – pay attention to the tone with which the company responds.
Are they apologetic? Willing to reach a quick resolution? Are they respectful and courteous? If so, that’s a great sign. But if you run into any responses that were written with obvious contempt or a poor attitude, take that into consideration.
When a moving company makes it obvious they can’t resolve disputes and/or complaints in a professional manner, you probably don’t want to trust them with your belongings or your hard-earned money.
Avoid Companies That Want a Huge Upfront Deposit
If you run into any moving companies that ask for more than a 20% upfront deposit of the total estimated cost of your move, be wary.
Quality movers typically don’t ask for a hefty deposit; instead, they require payment when your belongings are safely delivered to your new home. Also, be sure to put your deposit on a credit card, so that if you run into problems, you can dispute the charge.
Review Your Contract Thoroughly
Last but not least, review every last word of your contract to make sure you know exactly what to expect from the movers and what’s required of you. If there are any provisions you don’t fully understand, don’t hesitate to ask for a more in-depth explanation.
Before you sign on that dotted line, make sure you’re 100% sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Ace Moving & Warehousing: Trusted Minneapolis & St. Paul Professional Movers
Ready to work with a moving company you can trust? Look no further than Ace Moving & Warehousing in Minneapolis! We’ve been helping Minnesotans move for over 60 years, and we’d be honored to make you our next fully satisfied client. We offer a wide variety of moving services to suit any need, including full packing, custom move plans, custom crating, climate-controlled storage, and much more.
To learn more about us or get started with an estimate, call our Minneapolis office today at 763-755-2045 or request a quick quote online, and we’ll be in touch soon!