Welcome to our continuation of 10 tips for hiring the right moving company for your move! Let’s continue …

4.  Set an appointment with each mover you want to interview. Make sure that when each arrives, you are ready to show them exactly what is being moved – that means in every room of your house, your garage, attic, basement, backyard and shed. You want to be sure that your estimate is as accurate as possible. Once you have chosen a mover, remember to contact them with any significant changes to what is being moved so they can adjust your estimate accordingly. Otherwise, you may be in for a few unpleasant surprises on moving day. Tell the company representative about the area you will be moving to so they have an accurate picture of the delivery location. Do not rush though the interview. They will need to know about stairs, elevators, parking, etc. Be certain to request the following information from each company:

• Company’s full name and any dba’s (doing business as names)
• Company’s address, phone numbers, and e-mail and website addresses
• Complete contact information of references
• USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) and MC (motor carrier) license numbers
• The U.S. Department of Transportation booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” Movers are required by federal law to provide you with this guide; it is the official rule book of the interstate moving industry. (You can download a copy at dot.gov.) Note that in-state movers are regulated by the state’s department of transportation, public utilities or commerce commission and some states have published their own moving guide.

5.  Review the estimates to be sure all information is complete. They should include the words “written binding estimate” at the top and the mover’s signature and date at the bottom. Estimates for interstate moves should include a description of the type and quantity of items you are moving, the distance they are traveling, the time of pick up and estimated time of delivery, and any additional services you require, such as supplies and packing/unpacking. Make sure you understand the insurance coverage for your move and what is covered by additional insurance you purchase. For intrastate moves, you will want to know the time of pick up and estimated time of delivery, the hourly rates and any additional expenses such as insurance, supplies and packing. Remember that the estimates are based on what you have told the movers you are moving. Again, if that changes, you should contact the mover with those new details. If you do not understand anything in the estimates, contact the representative and ask questions. Do not wait until moving day to ask your questions.

6.  Compare your bids. Remember that in areas where there is a lot of competition for your business, you can negotiate to get the best price. Check out the company on your state’s searchable database of businesses. Confirm that the company is listed on the database and the length of time they’ve been in business. Read customers’ comments regarding their service to see if there are any red flags for you to consider. You should also check to see if they have a presence on social media, i.e., Facebook business page, LinkedIn, etc.