How to Select a Moving Company For Your Residential Move

Prepping for a residential move and looking for tips on how to find a reputable moving company? Camelot Moving, offering decades of moving experience for out-of-state and local moving, recommends keeping the following suggestions in mind.

Solicit Estimates

It goes without saying that you should solicit an estimate before you hire a full-service mover, but our licensed Santa Clarita packing company recommends getting in-person estimates from at least three different firms. We bolded “in-person” because the most experienced professional movers know that only by evaluating your belongings up-close can a detailed estimate be created.

Confirm Addresses

After gathering your estimates from different movers, ask each one for a business card and for their web address. A polished, well-established mover will have a website and a commercial business address. If you come across a mover that doesn’t have a website and/or lists his company as being headquartered at a residential address, consider this a big red flag.

Do a BBB Check

While you’re reviewing estimates and websites, it doesn’t hurt to also review each mover’s reputation with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). If one of your candidates lacks a BBB rating or has a rating that’s less than stellar, you may want to cross them off the list. Also, be wary of any moving company that isn’t BBB accredited.

Verify Professional Accreditation

BBB membership and a strong rating are important, and so too is a mover’s professional accreditation.

Referrals

Background research is essential to finding a top-notch moving company, and part of this research involves getting referrals from friends, family, and business colleagues. Your real estate agent is also a good resource, as is your local Chamber of Commerce. Word-of-mouth counts for a lot, especially when it comes from someone you trust.

Think Twice If…

Over the course of evaluating and meeting with movers, certain things should make you think twice.  If the movers were not professional and did not arrive on time, these are typically warning signs about how well (or not) they will handle your move.  Additionally, reputable and higher quality moving companies will leave behind a booklet explaining your rights as required by government agencies.

Also, be wary of any moving company that seems money-hungry.  While it is not unreasonable for a moving company to request a deposit, they should also have a clear refund policy if you need to cancel or reschedule your moving day.

License and Insurance

If you’re moving out of state, your mover should have a U.S. DOT (Dept. of Transportation) number.

For more than 35 years, our local movers have provided friendly, expert moving services to individuals, families and businesses in and around Santa Clarita. Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, count on our nearby moving company to help you make a seamless transition.

Billy Kornfeld