Do you need to find a mover in your area? The task of choosing the right moving company can be difficult. You want to choose someone that is professional, experienced, and affordable for your needs. This blog post will help guide you through this process by providing helpful information on selecting Movers Des Moines.
1. Research The Company
If you have been online recently, you have probably noticed that there are thousands of moving companies to choose from. You may be overwhelmed by all of these choices and not know where to begin. The best way to start is by researching a few different companies. If the budget allows, hire a professional Des Moines Movers who can come into your home or business and provide an accurate quote for their services. Most movers usually offer a free estimate, but it is typically an approximation based on cubic feet measurements. In some cases, movers will add extra fees to the bill if anything is unique about the location or other unforeseen circumstances during the move.
2. Get An Online Quote
Another option available to you is to get quotes from individual companies. This can be done through the company’s website or by phone. However, with this route, there is always a chance that there will be hidden fees involved, and further charges may occur while the movers are on their way to your location.
3. Ask Around For Referrals And Recommendations
Moving is often a sensitive process, and people may not take the time to expose it to others if a mover let them down in the past. When asking around for referrals, ask specifically about small businesses or individuals who have used moving services recently. Do not ask only employees because some large companies use relocation professionals who do not offer individual services such as residential moves. It is essential to ask around and find out how your referrals performed to assess later if they are responsible movers.
4. Request For Proof Of Insurance
Movers should be able to show proof of the various insurances that cover them during the moving process. They must be fully insured and licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This means that they will protect not only themselves and their workers but also your belongings as well. If they cannot provide proof, then move on to another mover because this may indicate a lack of professionalism or experience in the moving business, making for an incredibly stressful situation when dealing with fragile items such as furniture and glassware.
5. Ensure Proper Licensing
Before hiring a moving company, you need to research them so that you are 100% certain that they are licensed and authorized by the federal government. Look for their USDOT number on their vehicles or their business card. This is like their license plate, which consists of two letters followed by two numbers. They also need to be fully insured before obtaining the USDOT number. If they cannot provide proof, then once again, move on to another mover.
6. Check Into Possible Licensing Issues With The Department Of Transportation (DOT)
Before hiring any mover, make sure that they are not suspended. A company can be arrested if they violate any regulations set forth by the DOT. According to the website MoversChecker, five common violations can result in suspension.
- The mover has declared bankruptcy or gone out of business.
- The mover cannot account for any equipment when the license is suspended. An example would be not being able to produce a dolly when moving stuff in your home.
- The mover doesn’t have enough insurance when their insurance is suspended. The minimum amount required by law is $750,000 per vehicle and $50,000 per box/item you are moving. However, your possessions should be insured for more than this if possible if there is damage done during transportation.
- If the DOT catches the movers overcharging customers, they will automatically be suspended from transporting goods across state lines and interstate highways.
- An example would be if the mover was charging $100 per cubic foot of space and you had a ten cubic foot item; they will calculate it as $1,000 instead of the actual 100ft3, which should be calculated (this can also result in lawsuits).
If you choose to move by yourself, only hire the services of professional movers if you cannot bring your items on your own. If not, then make sure that you have all the necessary equipment before moving forward. We hope this article helped you choose a mover for your upcoming move!