Navigating your way through a veritable sea of movers can be a really challenging task. You need to have a way of rating your NH movers to stand a chance of hiring quality moving assistance. That is why Fit 2 Move chose to create this article, to help you with the process. While we believe that we are your top choice when it comes to NH movers, we fully understand that you need to get through the selection process on your own. In this article, we will guide you through the necessary steps of rating movers and show you how to do it efficiently.
Rating your NH movers – Steps
Here are the main things that you will need to do/consider:
- Are you moving locally or long-distance?
- Acquire estimates
- Verify credentials and memberships
- Read plenty of reviews
- Be careful of deposits
Of course, you may also want to get some personal recommendations from your friends, family members, colleagues, etc. Whether you are searching for local movers or long-distance ones, having live, actual, recommendations will go a long way. Get in touch with your social circle, get your “feelers” out. That way, you will have a much better chance of finding ideal moving assistance.
Local or long-distance?
While most moving companies can perform both local and long-distance relocations, it might be in your best interest to “specialize”. That means that you rate the movers based on what your requirements are. If you are looking for a local move, for example, you may want to go with local area specialists. They usually have greater knowledge and experience in the area, something that will translate into a smoother moving process. Another thing you might want to consider is if you need residential movers, commercial movers, or a combination of both. Again, most companies can perform most types of relocations but you are looking for specialists. They will, in most cases, be your best option.
Rating your NH movers – Acquire estimates
Obtaining estimates from moving companies is a great way to compare them. However, the only way to properly do so is by acquiring a binding estimate. Unfortunately, these require movers sending someone to your home, and that costs. In the case of local moves, you can usually get by with only a free estimate but for long-distance relocations, you should always go for a binding one, even if it puts a dent in your moving budget. The reason for it is that local estimates are usually 99% accurate where long-distance estimates can depend on various circumstances.
Also, there are companies that will provide you with an initially low estimate to “draw you in”. But you can easily spot those as they will deviate from the norm. What you need to do is ensure that every company gives you the same set of services. Packing services, for example, can be quite costly and inflate the estimate. If you need them, make sure that every mover provides an estimate for them, as well as their other services.
You will easily recognize those offers that are either “too good to be true” once you read through several estimates. While, in rare cases, they might be completely legitimate, most of the time they are not. They represent a moving company that is out to get your money in a less than honest way. You should be very wary of these offers, as they pose a great deal of risk. Unless you get a binding estimate, that is. Even if that is the case, you have to wonder why are those movers so much cheaper than the others. All in all, a significant price difference usually means that something “shady” is going on.
Verify credentials and memberships
In order to protect yourself to the fullest, you will want to verify that your movers are properly registered with relevant moving authorities. You may also want to check if they are registered with one of the prominent moving organizations, such as FMCSA and the BBB. Take particular note of their address, as having a home address usually signals that something strange is going on. You need to verify that your movers have all the necessary licenses for their operations and that they are fully bonded and insured.
Read plenty of reviews
In this day and age, customer reviews make or break a company. It is the case in almost every industry, moving included. But don’t settle only for the reviews on the company’s website as they tend to always be favorable. Moving companies regulate their web-space, after all, so it is to be expected. What you want to do is find a rating website, one that is not affiliated with any mover in particular. You may also try to search for a moving forum, though they are slowly being replaced by other social media. Don’t discount social media, too, and expand your search there, as well. The more places you have to look for reviews, the better. Lastly, by interacting in those places, you may ask your own questions and get answers. Usually, that is the best way to get the information that you require.
Be careful of deposits when rating your NH movers
One final note is that you should be very careful when your movers ask for a deposit. Many moving companies will not even ask for one in the first place. However, it is not entirely uncommon that a mover asks for something like a 20% deposit for their services. But if your movers ask for more, it is in your best interest to flat-out refuse. There are no circumstances in which your movers will need that money upfront unless they want to scam you in some way. As far as rating your NH movers goes, the deposit is usually a big no-no. You can find plenty of movers that will not ask for one.
