Whether you’re moving across the country or across the globe, a professional moving company can handle everything from packing to transporting your belongings. They have access to specialized equipment such as dollies, furniture pads and moving straps that help keep your items secure during transportation. They also offer services like junk removal and storage solutions. And they’ll take care of the heavy lifting and driving, so you don’t have to worry about getting your back out after a long day of boxing up your stuff and loading it into a truck.
A good moving company will provide an accurate estimate based on the size of your home and the number of boxes you’ll be taking with you. They should also be able to answer any questions you have about their policies, including insurance coverage and payment terms. They should also have a clear set of rates and fees, which should be easy to understand and not hidden in fine print.
When choosing a moving company, be sure to look at their customer service record and make an in-person visit before hiring them. This will help ensure they are a legitimate business and that you’re not dealing with shady individuals. Watch out for red flags, such as a mover who wants cash upfront or insists on using a rental van instead of their own. Also, if they don’t have a physical address, it may be time to look elsewhere.
While they’re not cheap, full-service movers can make the process of moving much less stressful and more affordable than doing it yourself. They can pack and unpack your items, transport them to the new location and reassemble and disassemble your furniture. Plus, they have access to specialized equipment that you wouldn’t be able to find at your local hardware store.
One of the best full-service movers is International Van Lines, which has rave reviews for its tailor-made packages and add-on services. It can perform local, interstate and international moves, as well as provide storage options. And its iMoveOne software lets you survey your belongings online for a quote without someone having to come to your house.
American Van Lines is another great choice for an interstate move. Its movers undergo a rigorous screening process, and its ProMover program requires them to adhere to the American Moving & Storage Association’s standards. Its iMoveOne software is also user-friendly for getting quotes and managing your moving plan.
Be aware that some interstate movers are brokers, which means they handle the paperwork for your move but then hand off your shipment to third-party carriers to actually do the work. The brokerage model can save you money, but it can also leave you vulnerable if something goes wrong during the transportation phase. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to use a fully licensed and insured moving company that is an FMCSA carrier (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). You can check this on the FMCSA database.