Red Flags to Look For When Hiring Movers

When you decide to move, you know it’s a big undertaking, full of excitement and stress. But if you first hire a reputable professional mover, you can be sure you’ll get where you want to go. But before you settle down on your selection, make sure that you know your mover is trusted, accountable and certified.

The last thing that you should have to worry about is whether your belongings are going to arrive.

Here are some red flags to look out for when you’re considering hiring movers:

MOVER IS NOT A CERTIFIED PROMOVER

Look for ProMover members. These NYC moving companies have taken the extra step to complete a quality certification program designed for American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) members who provide both local moving services as well as interstate services. With their certification, they have passed background screenings with government authorities, as well as with their local chapter of the Better Business Bureau, and they have pledged to uphold the AMSA Code of Ethics.

MOVERS THAT LOWBALL ESTIMATES

As a general rule of thumb, you should get at least three estimates from three different moving companies. If one estimate is significantly lower than the others, it’s likely that this moving company will hit you with random, unforeseen charges once you get your move underway. It could turn ugly fast.

MOVERS WHO LACK INFORMATION

If a moving company isn’t open to answering all questions that you have, or if they don’t have a lot of customers’ testimonials or reviews, something sketchy is probably going on. A track record is very important because your belongings are at stake.

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

• Does the mover refuse to make a house call for an estimate?
• Does the mover offer a much lower estimate than other companies you’ve contacted?
• Does the mover pick up your possessions and then bump up the price?
• Does the mover try to force you to sign a blank or incomplete document before delivering your shipment?
  
  

By asking yourself these basic questions and anticipating bad situations, you’ll be on the right track to hiring the right movers for you.