What to Look for in Moving Companies That Move Out of State
To finish their relocation problem-free, many people decide to hire movers instead of relocating on their own. However, that’s just the first step of the process. There are many moving companies that move out of state, and it would be on you to choose the one that completely suits your wishes and needs. But how to do so and be certain you’re not making a mistake? Here is all you need to know.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Moving Company?
The relocation business you choose needs to offer all the services you intend on using, such as packing, car shipping, or storage. Further on, the company needs to be licensed and insured, have good online ratings, and be professional. In the end, it’s always better to go with movers who can provide you with a free, guaranteed quote based on your inventory list.
Make Sure the Company Provides All the Services You Need
When relocating to a new city, it’s not enough to only google “moving companies near me that move out of state” and go with the first search result. You need to ensure the chosen company checks all the boxes, meaning it’s suitable for you and reliable. One of the first boxes to consider is the services the movers can offer.
Even if you consider getting basic long-distance moving services, they are not the same for different movers. Some companies will help you solely transport your belongings from point A to point B. Others, such as Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving, will load, pack your furniture, and unload for the same price as basic services. It’s up to you to get completely informed about what the business offers – and for which price.
Additional Services Are Always a Plus
In order to relocate efficiently and avoid some of the common relocation mistakes, people often choose to delegate as much work as possible to professionals. If you’re one of them, it’s a good idea to look for a business that provides additional services, such as:
- Auto shipping – do you value your vehicle too much or simply don’t want to be driving all the way to a new state? You can choose to go with a separate auto transport company or hire movers that provide car shipping services as well. In both cases, you’ll be looking for reliable professionals with enough experience in cross-country car transport.
- Storage services – if you need storage services in the short or long term, choose a long-distance moving company that can make it a part of their offer. It’s certainly a better option than, for example, overthinking about what to do with items you don’t want to get rid of just yet.
- Professional packing – packing fragile items and other delicate belongings can be a truly tiring task. Luckily, you can make it someone else’s worry if you go with a company with a crew able to provide impeccable packing services.
- Moving insurance – In addition to that, a company you decide to make a deal with should have good insurance options. Nothing competes with having complete peace of mind, knowing you are protected no matter what happens.
Cheaper Is Not Always Better – Study the Pricing
It’s no secret that relocating to a new home in a new state costs a pretty penny, even more so if you decide to hire long-distance movers. For some, saving on relocation costs by going with a business that charges the least can be too tempting to miss. However, it’s rarely a good idea since too good of a deal is often too good to be true. More likely than not, you’ll be presented with hidden fees later on and end up paying a lot more than you initially intended.
At the same time, it’s not only the rate you need to focus on, but also the pricing structure it’s based on. While some companies charge based on the provided relocation inventory list, others determine their prices by the square footage your belongings will occupy in the truck. Note that the first pricing method is more reliable than the second one. The space your belongings occupy can be easily manipulated – movers can pack them into the truck so their volume appears much larger than it should.
Go With a Business that Does In-Home Estimates
So, we’ve already established you should go with a business that bases quotes on the number and type of your belongings. However, it’s also important to avoid companies that give estimates by heart and not by facts. In other words, before you choose a mover, estimate their estimates.
True professionals are able to provide you with in-person or video estimates – they assess your inventory thoroughly and provide you with a quote that will not change unless you make some changes to the list. On the other hand, some moving companies that pack and move out of state are known to guesstimate, and we highly suggest you stay clear of them.
Check Their License and Insurance
In order to find reliable cross-country movers, you need to look for a legitimate relocation company that is fully licensed and insured. But how to do so? Your first task should be to request a US Department of Transportation (USDOT) number for a company you’re considering. It’s a number provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for identification of all commercial vehicles transporting cross-country, including moving companies that move you out of state.
This number can become quite a handy tool for those relocating, as well. With it, you can easily check if the company is registered with the FMCSA. Not only that, but you’ll be able to get their license and insurance information, alongside other data concerning crash investigation reports, unsafe driving, and so on. You can even see if the business has changed its name recently – if the name doesn’t match the one provided on their website, it can be a red flag.
Look for Movers With Good Recommendations
Today, when all the information you need is at the top of your fingertips, no one in their right mind hires any mover without looking into its online reviews. Naturally, companies with too much bad feedback should be avoided at all costs.
At the same time, make sure to look for reviews both on the company’s and third-party websites, as the former can be fabricated to attract customers. It’s also important to take into account what the feedback is based on and consider the pros and possible cons of each business you’re researching.
In the end, whenever possible, look for personal recommendations, as well. You may know someone who has organized a relocation recently, so make sure to ask them about moving company recommendations. You can even take a step further and ask movers to contact some of their previous customers. It will help you learn about their crew first-hand.
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Besides a valid license and insurance, an in-depth estimate process, and good reviews, there are a few other indicators to show if you’re truly dealing with experienced professionals. First and foremost, it’s always best to go with a mover with an online presence. In today’s world, every business has a website, and you can also tell a lot about the company just by looking at it. It’s best to look for a mover that offers a user-friendly interface, service, and blog pages, with all the important information easily accessible.
At the same time, it’s always better to go with a business whose brand is transparent. They should have a logo and name you’ll be able to see on trucks as well as movers’ uniforms. More often than not, those types of companies are more trustworthy than those having white, unbranded vans.
Questions to Ask Your Potential Movers
You can assess the professionalism of a company even through the initial conversation. True professionals will answer any question you may have with knowledge, as well as politeness. When planning a relocation to another city, here are some of the most important questions to ask movers:
- What is your USDOT number?
- How much experience do you have in cross-country moving?
- Do you have all the necessary equipment?
- What is the cost of interstate relocation, and what is your pricing structure?
- Which payment methods are available?
- Is your interstate moving estimate binding or non-binding?
- Do you have auto transport services, or do I need to hire a separate car shipping company?
- Do you offer professional packing and storage?
- What are your insurance options?
- Are there items your movers won’t move?
- How long does the process take?
Before hiring a relocation company, you need to have the answers to all of the previous questions. Not only that, but you should also assess the way their representatives are responding. If they hesitate, stall, or simply refuse to answer, it’s better to continue with the search.
What to Avoid When It Comes to Moving Companies That Move out of State?
There is no denying that relocation scams are on the rise year after year. Luckily, when choosing movers, some indicators can expose potentially fraudulent companies. In addition to everything we thoroughly discussed above, here are some additional red flags you should avoid at all costs:
An Unusually Low Quote
One of the most common ways fraudulent businesses attract clients is by offering low bids, only to demand a lot more money once all of your items are packed. It usually ends with scammers holding all of your household goods hostage until you give up and agree to pay them the rest of the money.
High Deposit Request
Requesting a deposit is a common practice between movers. Like with many other businesses, it’s a way of securing their money. Once you pay a certain amount upfront, you are less likely to cancel, and they are less likely to lose the time and effort they’ve placed into organizing a move. However, stay clear from companies that demand a huge chunk of the total relocation cost upfront.
Cash-Only Payments
Cash payments are not traceable, which makes cash a perfect payment method for those trying to scam you. That is why it’s always better to go with a business that offers other payment possibilities. It’s completely fine to pay with cash if it’s your preferred payment method and you’re sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy business. Just remember to stay clear of shady movers who offer you cash as the only payment option.
Blank or Incomplete Document
In the midst of relocation chaos, it may be tempting to just sign a contract without reviewing it first – do not do it. The contract needs to have all of the details you previously agreed upon clearly stated. If it doesn’t or if they offer you a blank document they’ll later fill in, don’t provide your signature. The same goes for parts of the contract you don’t understand or don’t agree with. Protect yourself by always knowing what you’re signing.
Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving Has Everything You Need – And More
Finding a reputable and truly reliable relocation business can be challenging. Moreover, it can take a lot of the time you already don’t have – so we made it simple for you. With many years in the business and numerous satisfied customers, Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving has all it takes to organize a completely safe and stress-free relocation. Our experienced crew can and will convert a daunting relocation experience into a joyful one – all you have to do is contact us and book your move on time.
