Since moving is usually a major expense, it is worth your time to investigate the many moving companies available that promise to cost less than other movers. First, never accept an estimate over the telephone, since the mover cannot see exactly how many boxes or other items need to be moved, as well as their size and weight.
You can choose a local moving company, which can be an advantage if you want to support your local economy and find a reputable mover who is based nearby. You should still be able to decide from among several companies, in order to do a cost comparison and get feedback from previous customers.
Watch out for companies that hire cheap, unskilled labor in order to keep their costs down. You want your goods to be handled by professional movers.Moving companies must be insured and licensed by law, but they are not required to be certified. There are many ways a person can get cheated by an disreputable moving company. Make sure to ask for a company's base rate. If this rate is significantly less than the other movers that you have already gotten estimates from, this is a warning sign you should heed. They may offer a very low base rate to lure customers, and then charge you for extra services that you assume are included in the price. Some companies will charge the customer for packing materials, which can end up costing you hundreds of dollars. Also beware of rental fees for equipment or other questionable costs. It pays to carefully go through each charge and ask questions until you are satisfied.
