10 Questions You Should Ask Your Relocation Company
Courtesy of Camelot Moving & Storage, the preeminent local and long-distance moving company based in Santa Clarita, here are 10 questions you should ask your relocation company:
1. How long have you been in business?
The longer a company has been in business, the more established its track record. If you contact a moving company that’s only been around for a few years, you should investigate further.
2. May I see your references?
References are a must in any business. And with plenty of information and reviews available online these days, you should have no trouble ascertaining a moving company’s quality and reputation. One resource we recommend checking is the Better Business Bureau. Rule of thumb: the more open a company is to providing you with references, the better the chances that its reputation is solid.
3. Are you licensed and insured?
Any reputable moving company should be licensed and insured. Ask about this, and also ask if the company has a U.S. DOT number. This is a number you can use to verify a mover’s legitimacy through the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. The last thing you want is a mover who relocates your home or office in an unsafe and/or illegal manner.
4. What type of estimates do you provide?
The processes of determining a relocation budget and finding a mover are often concurrent. Along with soliciting estimates from several movers, it’s a good idea to ask a mover for a binding “not-to-exceed” estimate. Any mover unwilling to provide this should be investigated more thoroughly.
5. What will my specific relocation charges be?
If your company is relocating, keep in mind that:
Local moves are usually charged by the hour
Long-distance/interstate moves are typically charged by shipment weight
International moves are normally billed by the shipment’s volume
Depending on which of these moves you’re making, confirm with the moving company what your cost will be. You can also ask about any additional policies/protections available for your type of relocation.
6. How will you protect my current home or office during the move?
Even though you’re moving to a new place, you’ll want to be sure that the walls, carpets, etc. in your current space are well protected during the move. Ask the mover about the type of protections they use and their preferred moving technique.
7. Do you have workers’ compensation?
If a relocation company doesn’t offer its employees workers’ compensation, you could be on the hook for any injuries occurring on your property.
8. How are my items cared for during the move?
Every mover should be able to detail the different packing materials they use, the coverage they carry to guard against damaged items, and the various precautions they take during the relocation.
9. What is your claims procedure?
Even in the hands of the best movers, damage may occur during a move. Thus it pays to know in advance the extent of the mover’s claims procedure so that any claims can be processed quickly.
10. When will my items arrive?
This is probably the most obvious question on this list, but still well worth asking. Local moves shouldn’t take weeks, while long-distance moves should preferably have a small delivery window.
Ready to relocate? Contact Camelot Moving & Storage, a highly-rated long-distance moving company in Santa Clarita.