Any move is stressful but one that is long distance is even more so. Although you may want to keep costs down by doing some of the work yourself most likely you will hire a cross country moving company. What do you need to know about hiring a mover? What are the risks? How can you compare estimates? Are all estimates equal, for that matter? Will a cross country moving company help me to reduce my costs? Are there any red flags that I should look out for?
Every move is made easier by careful planning. As soon as you make the decision to move, your planning begins. If you haven’t made a big move before spend time researching on the internet. Find a good quality planner and scheduler so you know what you need to do at each stage of the process. After that the most important thing is to select a good cross country moving company.
What is the best way? First ask for recommendations from family and friends. Ask neighbors that have recently moved into the area. Ask your realtor. You can assemble a list of local movers with an internet search specifying your location.
Every cross country moving company has a web site but websites are not always reliable. Make sure each mover shows a license number and proof of insurance. Check these later when you get estimates. Make sure the cross country moving company is registered with the Department of Transportation.
No mover can give you an accurate estimate without looking at your property. If a company pressures you for a deposit without an in house estimate, quit them immediately. Make sure the cross country moving company accepts credit cards and checks. If they take only cash find a different company.
Get at least three estimates and discuss in detail how your goods will be packed, loaded, transported and unpacked. Make sure all your questions are answered in a positive manner. Be thorough and you’ll be confident that you have made a good choice in a cross country moving company.