A moving service can make changing homes far less stressful—or add to your stress, if you are not smart in your choice of movers. The Internet is full of horror stories from people who had movers break their things, lose important objects, or delay their move.
You don’t want to spend money on a business that will only add to your hassle instead of making things easier, so finding a reliable moving service is an important decision. Working with any new business has an element of uncertainty, but certain things can help you gauge a moving service’s reliability before you sign any contracts.
These three tips can help you identify if a moving service is reliable or not.
Good Reviews
The first way to check if a moving service is reliable or not is to look at reviews from previous customers. Don’t just look at customer testimonials that a business puts up on its own website. Make sure to look for third-party independent sites such as Google Reviews where people share what they really think.
The reviews can help you see if a service is reliable and professional. The most reliable movers providing donation and junk removal will have mostly positive reviews. A few negative reviews are normal, as nobody is perfect, but you want to see mostly positive experiences.
The most reliable moving services will feel like good neighbors who are local to you. Two Small Men with Big Hearts is a Canadian moving company that offers a range of moving services, including residential and commercial moves. Their services cover everything from packing and storage to item donation.
No Hidden Fees
Many moving services seem to promise good terms, but then, in the fine print charge extra fees or have hidden conditions. Common scams include hidden fees you need to pay to return your possessions, utilizing subcontractors, and high deposit amounts.
Always read the paperwork before you sign anything binding, such as a contract. Even if you can’t spot anything suspicious, if communication seems to be tied up in legalese, this should alert you to a potential problem.
Accurate Estimates
Before agreeing to any terms with a moving company, make sure that you get an accurate estimate. The Canadian Office of Consumer Affairs recommends getting at least three estimates before making a final decision so that you have full information about the cost of your move.
When getting an estimate, in-person is always best, but you can get accurate estimates over the phone or e-mail as well. Make sure that you share full information with your movers about the number of things you are moving and any relevant information to get an accurate estimate.
The Right Movers for a Stress-Free Move
Reliability is the number one thing that you want from your moving service, otherwise, you’ll be even more stressed during your move. A moving company that has positive customer reviews, provides accurate estimates, and is transparent about its pricing is more likely to be reliable.
These are all important things to look for when choosing a moving service, but your gut instincts can also tell you a lot. If you feel secure while communicating with a mover, chances are that they will do a reliable job.
