How do I find a reputable long distance mover near me?

Reputable Long Distance Moving Company

Preparing to move to a new community can be nerve-wracking. There is a lot to plan, a lot to organize and decide. Sure, it’s exciting to move to a new place, but there are so many questions. Where should I live? Are the schools any good? Will I find a friendly neighborhood with fun things to do? Oh, and how do I find a reputable full service moving company to move my stuff from here to there.

Take a deep breath and try to relax. Moving seems daunting, but you can get through it with some research and a good plan. Finding movers you trust will go a long way toward taking the stress out of the relocation process, and they aren’t hard to find. As with most things, it helps if you understand what they are talking about, so here are some helpful definitions that will let you decipher what might at first sound like a foreign language.

Our full service movers are always the ones that are organized, have experience handling equipment, and know how to plan. These are all important qualities when you're facing a move that may take weeks or even months to complete. If you don't choose wisely you'll spend your moving process sweating over things being damaged in transit along with worrying about the outcome of the move.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that not all long distance movers are created equal, find out who has handled similar projects before and be sure to ask what they did well or poorly of all the available long distance moving companies, this will give you a better understanding of how their experience may help or hurt your future long distance move.

Terms in Moving Industry

Binding vs. non-binding estimate. In any long-distance (interstate, and often intrastate as well) move, the moving company must conduct a visual inspection of the things you want moved to give you an estimate. There are some exceptions, and the customer is allowed to waive the requirement. Still, the rule is there for your protection, and any reputable mover would want to see the household goods before providing you with a price anyway. The company should be basing the estimate on its detailed inventory (sometimes called a cube sheet or table of measurement) that shows what is included. A binding estimate is the mover's price to move that inventory, based on the weight that the mover assesses for what is there. The price does not change unless the actual list changes on moving day, or unless you add services or there are unforeseen issues requiring the completion of additional services (whether you agree or not) to finish the move.

A non-binding estimate, still based on that visual inspection, is not a commitment, but an accurate approximation of the cost, with the final price determined by the actual weight of the goods loaded into the truck. While there are some circumstances in which this might be a better option for you (if you haven't finished your sorting process, for example, and expect to have more or less to move by the relocation date), it leaves you with the potential for an unpleasant surprise. It may increase the incentive for the mover to lowball the estimate. An unscrupulous operator may tell you that you can only be required to pay as much as 110% of the non-binding estimate to receive delivery of your shipment, and that is true. However, what they may leave out is that if the amount of the bill based on weight is much higher, they can still invoice you for the full amount, whatever that is, and pursue you for payment once you have received the delivery. The 110% is not a ceiling.

A binding-not-to-exceed estimate provides a safety net for the customer in that the price cannot go up (again, assuming no additions to the inventory or services). Still, it can go down, if the actual weight is less than what the mover has estimated.

Impracticable operations. One of the unforeseen situations that can result in higher charges to your bill, regardless of which estimate you choose, is the existence of impracticable operations. Such circumstances generally occur at the destination since the mover has usually not seen the conditions there. If there is a long, steep driveway, or trees blocking the way, or perhaps narrow doorways, those constitute impracticable operations that will result in additional charges. A common one in urban areas is the inability to park the moving truck immediately adjacent to the residence, resulting in the need to shuttle the goods in a smaller vehicle, which adds to the labor and time. These charges can be added to your bill, although only payment of an amount equal to 15% of the total invoice will be required at delivery. Nonetheless, the balance will be billed to you later.

Mover’s tariff. Every mover has a tariff, which is a contract between their company and you, the customer. It contains their rules and their charges for services. It should have things like what they charge for a long carry (remember that steep driveway) or stairs and storage. They should automatically include the tariff with your estimate if they are a reputable mover, so think twice if they are reluctant to share it with you.

Packing Services

We offer full service packing for your convenience. Whether it's a local moves, long distance moves, or international moves we'll make sure that all of your furniture and appliances are properly packed, inspected, labeled and secured in the moving truck.

Save money on your move by using our do-it-yourself moving service. Our movers will give you a quote for how much it would cost to have them load and unload your belongings, or we can provide you with materials and instructions so that you can pack and load your belongings yourself. Our company provide full service moves including packing/unpacking, loading & unloading, truck & moving supplies, insurance and more!

Storage Services

Our moving pricelist is very competitive. We can move you out of state or across town... no job is too big! Three Movers Moving services your individual or corporate relocation needs with exceptional standards of quality and customer care...Over the years, we have become an important factor in helping our clients make their dreams come true. We provide all-inclusive move packages to suit every budget requirement....We will work closely with you to be sure that your belongings are handled by the most efficient, skilled and professional staff in order to help you avoid any pitfalls or difficulties that can result from a move. Three Movers Moving takes pride in offering top-quality service for all types of moves, Attic & Garage Clean-Outs, Piano Moves, Special Handling of Fine Art and Antiques, On/Off Site Warehousing, International Shipping and more...

But How Do I Know If They Are A Reputable Company?

Now that you can speak the language, here are some essential things to do when evaluating moving companies.

1. Always choose a mover registered with the FMCSA. The US Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates moving companies and brokers for your protection. They also track carriers’ safety and complaint history, which you can find in their database. FMCSA requires movers to provide you with a copy of your rights as a consumer, so be suspicious of any company that doesn’t provide you with the pamphlet or a link to the website right away.
2. Check with the Better Business Bureau. People will often take the time to file a complaint if dissatisfied, and the BBB tracks business issues like this. The more information you have, the better decision you can make.
3. Check with friends. If you know people who have moved into or out of the area, ask how their experience was, and if they would recommend their mover. If the company you work for has a relocation department (whether or not your move is employer-supported), it may have a recommendation for you.)
4. Use other referrals. Many good companies receive endorsements from associations such as travel, automobile, or alumni groups, and you may get a discount in addition to the reassurance of quality.
5. They should be willing to give you the choice of estimate type. If a company is unwilling to provide a binding estimate, that should be a red flag. A professional, experienced mover can provide a high-quality evaluation of what the weight will be and is happy to do so. Reluctance to commit could indicate that the company is planning to inflate the final weight for a higher charge.
6. Get several estimates and compare them. Take the time to get 4-7 estimates from different companies. Make sure you compare apples to apples, or if each company used a slightly different weight, ask questions. Check the inventory provided and make sure that each one is accurate. If a company isn't willing to answer your questions about how they arrived at the estimate, you should choose someone else. It's a competitive industry, and you want to find a moving company you trust.
7. Don’t pay a large deposit or pay in cash. Movers should generally be paid upon delivery. If there is a request for any kind of deposit, be suspicious, and if it is anything more than nominal, decline and find someone else, or you may never see your belongings again.