Top 5 Questions to Ask Moving Companies Before You Hire Them

So, you’re one of the millions of people getting ready to move this year. Moving is often stressful (indeed, one of the most stressful things a person can do short of getting divorced or having a baby), but it doesn’t have to be.

With the right moving company, you’ll be in expert hands. They can handle many of the stressful logistics and physical demands of the move so you can focus your mind & attention on more important things.

But how do you know you’re with the right moving company? How do you know that their moving services are the best in your area or the area you’re moving to?

It’s quite simple: you ask! Asking questions is so important in the moving process. The answers can help you choose a company that’s the right fit for you, is equipped to handle the move, and will put your mind at ease on moving day.

Here are 5 questions to ask moving companies before hiring them to accompany you on one of life’s most stressful journeys.

1. How Long Have You Been in Business?

Asking how long the moving company has been in business is a fair and common practice. Don’t be shy: they’ve heard it before!

It’s up to you how the answer affects your desire to work with them. Some companies have only been operating for five years, yet they employ the most experienced and hard-working people in the area.

However, there is something to be said about ample experience. Experience breeds expertise, which leads to trust and efficiency. All important things when it comes to a move!

Eagle Lines, for example, has decades of experience working in Boston and beyond. This makes us some of the most experienced Boston movers you can hire, which could put your mind at ease during a move.

2. Do You Have Experience with This Type of Move?

While asking about the business’ experience, ask about their particular experience with your move. Just because a moving company has been around for a while doesn’t mean they necessarily have been working on moves that are similar to yours.

Are you moving internationally? Across the country? To a suburb from a big city? With large, bulky items? Whatever the case, you want to work with a company that has experience working on moves and projects that are similar to yours.

3. Is This Quote Binding? How Do You Calculate the Cost?

Cost is many people’s number one concern when it comes to hiring a moving company.

Get a clear outline from the company about how they calculate their rates… and get it in writing. That way, there won’t be any surprise fees. And if there is, you’ll have the original rate calculation on record to dispute.

You should also ask whether the final quote they give you is binding. This protects you from being overcharged and protects you from changing rates after a quote was agreed upon.

A benefit of starting with a non-binding quote (aka an estimate) is that you can use that to compare your options. We offer free estimates for that reason: we want you to be able to know what to expect before you sign on the dotted line.

4. What Other Services Do You Offer?

Some moving companies focus only on literally moving from point A to point B. While this works for some, other people find that other moving services help them tremendously.

Other common moving services include:

– Professional packing services

– Local warehouse storage services

– Supplying packing materials

– Freight shipping

– Commercial moving services

– International moves

– Long distance moving services

Consider the type of move you have ahead of you alongside the service options the moving companies you’re considering have before making your final decision.

5. Do You Have Any References?

Moving companies are just like other businesses: people want to hear from their peers, not just the company itself.

Ask the moving company whether they have any references you could contact. Just like a job interview, you want to make sure that your top candidates actually walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.

Questions to Ask Moving Companies Before You Hire: Bottom Line

Along with the answers you get to these questions to ask moving companies, see how the moving company treats you in response.

Are they thorough and professional in their answers? Are they willing to speak with you and answer your questions? Or, do they act rushed or short?

The tone and attitude of the answers mean just as much as the substance of the answer.

At Eagle Lines, we’re here to make moving as stress-free as a move can be. We want to answer any and all questions you have to make sure you feel comfortable and ready to take on one of life’s biggest challenges with us right alongside you.

Eagle Lines