Your moving day is fast approaching, and next on your moving checklist is to hire professional movers.
But not all professional moving services are reputable movers.
Maybe it’s just a dishonest mover who runs contract scams and hits you with extra charges on top of the original estimate. Some fraudulent movers do bait-and-switch moves, holding your belongings hostage in their truck until you come up with surprise additional charges, which essentially function as ransom money.
Regardless, moving company scams and moving company fraud can add stress to the already complicated process of moving. These moving tips can help you ensure you pay the agreed-upon price for a smooth and affordable relocation.
We’ll also reveal how SelfStorage.com can help you find secure self-storage you can trust while you figure out your plan of action.
Research The Moving Company Reviews
One of the first things you should do is start researching the local moving companies you’d consider using for your move to your new home.
We know there are a handful of companies to choose from, but finding a reputable company starts with crawling consumer review sites.
We suggest starting with a moving service that has an online presence and positive reviews that mention not only the quality of service, but also the thorough and honest completion of services.
You’ll also want to make sure there are company representatives you can reach out to during office hours. If you have a hard time getting a hold of someone during standard business hours, dealing with any potential mover issues later on will probably be a hassle.
If a local moving company doesn’t have an online presence, if there are complaints against movers from their company on consumer review sites, or if they’re essential site functionality is dated or lacking, don’t add them to your list. Make a list of all potential movers that pass this initial research test before moving on.
Ask Around for Moving Company Recommendations & Red Flags
Next on our list of ways to avoid moving scams is to ask around. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers about the moving companies they used in the past. The advantage of movers who are personally recommended by people you trust is that they likely value their word-of-mouth reputation.
You may find the perfect company for your needs, or learn about a rogue mover company that you should skip because someone you trust has a bad experience with them. Be sure to ask for critical details on why they liked or didn’t like a company.
Keep in mind that companies change their employees. So even after you get a personal recommendation from a trusted source, you can get more accurate details just by reading online reviews about the company on trusted consumer review sites.
Get Cost Estimates
Once you find companies that feel real and have good feedback on the positive review sites, you should start reaching out for verbal estimates. Online company estimator tools can be helpful for an initial feel, but they don’t always offer the most accurate estimates.
You’ll want to get a personalized quote based on your exact situation for how much their service will cost you for your move. Ask if the quote they gave is a binding or non-binding estimate. The difference between a binding and a non-binding estimate is that a non-binding one can change later on.
Once they give you the personalized and accurate quote, ask point-blank if there are any additional service fees or extra charges they might add down the road. You’re likely juggling the moving costs with the move-in costs, rental deposits, or the costs of buying a home, so be sure they know you’re working within a limited budget.
Getting an in-person inspection helps ensure their initial estimate is an accurate quote, since they can visually see what’s being moved. Size and weight are just as important as mileage to a moving company.
You’ll also want to find out if they are the movers or if they broker the move and subcontract the work to other movers. Be sure to get more information about the moving crew that a broker uses, and research the actual moving crew to ensure they’re honest movers.
You may not want to go with the moving company with the lowest or quickest bids. Sometimes, the statement that you get what you pay for is true.
Get it in Writing
Be sure to get your estimate in writing. Ask if it’s a “non-binding” written estimate, and they can change it later. Some companies will give you a “low-ball” estimate that looks good on paper but changes down the road when they add rental truck cleaning fees, additional storage fees, and extra charges for interstate moves.
We suggest requesting a complete moving contract that not only protects the covering company in case something goes wrong but also offers consumer protection. It’s always a good idea to have proof of the agreement between both parties, so you can hold the moving company in breach of contract if things go sour.
Ask The Moving Company About Coverage Insurance Options
Some moving companies require you to show proof of insurance, as they won’t cover your belongings during loading, transport, or unloading. If you have renters’ or homeowners insurance, contact them ahead of time and ask about the extent of insurance coverage they offer.
Other moving companies offer additional insurance coverage through them, but it’ll cost extra. Don’t get us wrong; it’s important to have adequate insurance coverage to cover your valuable and delicate items during the move. That said, you want to know the complete insurance costs upfront before you agree to the price.
We suggest finding an accredited moving company with insurance that includes damage and liability coverage. If the moving company never brings up the extent of insurance coverage you or they are covered under, it could be a red flag. Ask them point-blank for proof of insurance.
You don’t want to think that something will go wrong on the day of your move, but it’s always a good idea to ensure that you have the additional insurance you need to protect your stuff.
Pick and Choose What Your Mover Moves
You may think that you should let your moving company handle everything. Still, it can be a good idea to move your most valuable items yourself, even if they have significant liability and damage coverage.
Some things are priceless because they can’t be replaced. For example, the jewelry you inherited from your grandmother is much safer with you during your move.
Common Moving Scam Red Flags
Here are just a few of the common scams to look out for and protect yourself from:
- “Low-ball” estimates or inaccurate estimates turn into huge actual bills due to no on-site inspection or a lazy inspection
- Requesting a large deposit requirement with the money up front
- Moving companies that change their name often to dodge bad reviews on consumer review sites
- Bait-and-switch moves that take your belongings hostage until you pay for additional services you never signed up for.
- Blank contracts, or contracts with blank sections that the company will fill out later
- Undisclosed extra fees and sight-unseen quotes
- Lack of moving insurance or other coverage
Moving can be stressful even when you use these hacks. SelfStorage.com has you covered if you need some extra storage space during the transition. Find a storage unit near you today!
How SelfStorage.com Can Help You Avoid Moving Company Scams
Doing some homework and researching the companies you’re considering can help prevent you from falling prey to these moving scams.
One popular scam you see during interstate moves is interstate movers taking longer than the time they quoted and charging you additional storage fees.
You can avoid this by proactively getting a storage unit near where you live now so that you can pack and prepare before the big day. Then, using the zip code of your new home, you can use our SelfStorage.com search tool to find a second unit across the country.
Whether you need one storage unit or two, our SelfStorage.com lets you know exactly what to expect by narrowing your search results down to the exact services you need. You’ll know the sizes and amenities you’re paying for up front.
You can find exactly what you need by entering your zip code, filtering the options, and scrolling through the results.Even when you use these hacks, moving can be stressful, but SelfStorage.com has you covered. If you need some extra storage space during the transition, use SelfStorage.com to find a storage unit near you today!
