Choosing a long-distance mover for your relocation to or from Chicago is a big decision. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to know where to start looking when you need to hire an interstate moving company.
To help you have the smoothest move possible, we’ve put together these tips to help you find an outstanding moving company that’ll deliver the service you deserve.
Hire an interstate moving company with the proper license and insurance
Your first step in choosing a long-distance mover is to ensure that they’re a legitimate business. Only look at moving companies that are properly licensed and insured. One way to find legit movers in Chicago is to look them up on the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT website, where you’ll find a listing and the license number for legitimate movers.
Several things can happen if you end up choosing a long-distance mover that’s not licensed and insured:
- No coverage options. If anything is damaged or lost during your move, you’ll have to pay to repair or replace it, as illegitimate moving companies won’t have insurance or be able to offer you any coverage options.
- Injury risks. If someone is injured during your move (whether it’s a mover or a customer), there’s no liability protection. You could end up paying for pricey medical bills.
- Lack of reliability. If you hire an uninsured and unlicensed company, there’s no guarantee that they’ll show up on your move date…and if they do, they could be first-time movers who haven’t gone through proper training.
Feel free to ask your interstate mover’s customer service team for the company’s credentials. If they’re truly a legitimate business, they should be happy to provide that information to you.
Avoid red flags when choosing a long-distance mover
Choosing a long-distance mover involves knowing what red flags to look out for. Although you won’t have to worry about this with most fully licensed and insured companies, it’s still important to have an idea of what’s ok…and what’s not.
Here are some examples of red flags:
- Their estimate is verbal or via text instead of an official document that you can formally sign.
- They don’t have a physical address.
- It’s difficult to find them online, or their website and social media just don’t exist.
- They have a lot of negative online customer reviews.
- They’re not very responsive or helpful during the estimate process.
Trust your gut when you hire an interstate moving company. If you notice some red flags—or if something just doesn’t feel quite right—chances are you’ll be anxious and stressed throughout the move. It’s best to find movers that you know you can trust and rely on.
Find the most reliable and trusted Chicago movers
Once you’ve found some licensed and insured companies, do some research to make sure you feel comfortable with their reliability and trustworthiness. If they’ve been in business for a long time, have a professional-looking and up-to-date website, and their customers leave positive online reviews, chances are they’re a solid company that can easily handle your long-distance relocation.
You might also want to check out their social media pages to get a sense of their vibe and culture. Moving companies that post success stories and fun tidbits about their team members likely treat their employees well, and that can translate into outstanding moving service.
Understand how to compare long-distance moving estimates
At first glance, moving estimates can seem pretty intimidating. There’s usually an outline of your estimated charges, followed by a whole lot of terms and conditions. Having a grasp of what to look for in the paperwork can be crucial to making the right choice when you hire a long-distance mover.
Best practice is usually to obtain moving estimates from at least three different companies so you can compare rates and options, and make sure you’re getting a good deal from a solid company.
Once you’ve received the estimates, start by looking at the line-item charges on each one. Take a look at how many movers and trucks they’re estimating, plus their rate per cubic foot and any additional fees. Most moving companies will charge extra for things like materials, oversized items, and additional flights of stairs.
You’ll also want to read all the fine print on each estimate to make sure there won’t be any hidden fees or other unpleasant surprises come moving day. Go through each document, and remember: the best way to control your costs is to provide an accurate home inventory list. If you notice that any of your belongings aren’t included on an estimate, contact the companies right away for updated pricing.
Know what questions to ask a long-distance moving company
As you get close to choosing a long-distance mover, have a list of questions at the ready to ask each company. Here are a few recommended questions that may help you make the best decision for your unique move:
- Will there be any extra fees on moving day that aren’t outlined in the estimate?
- Are there discounts available if the move dates are flexible?
- Do you offer packing service before the actual move?
- What will the timing be for the load at my old home, transportation, and the unload at my new home?
- Is there anything your movers can’t pack or transport?
- What happens if there’s inclement weather during my move?
The more questions you ask, the better prepared you’ll be for your interstate move—and the more answers you have, the more comfortable you’ll feel throughout the process.
Need help choosing a long-distance mover? Start with the most trusted moving company in Chicago!
We consider ourselves a hospitality-based moving company. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service from the moment you request your long-distance moving estimate all the way through the unload at your new home. We are Chicago’s most trusted movers. We’ve worked hard over many years to earn that reputation, and it’s a title that we don’t take lightly.
Let us help make your upcoming interstate move a smooth operation. Connect with our long-distance moving specialists today, and get your obligation-free estimate!