Planning an interstate relocation is a huge life event. In addition to uprooting your life to move to a new city or state, you have to find reliable long-distance movers—and that can seem daunting.
To help you have a smooth move to and from anywhere across the United States, follow these interstate moving tips so you recognize the signs of a good moving company, avoid moving scams, and learn how to hire long-distance movers.
Read Online Reviews
A long list of positive online reviews is one of the telltale signs of a good moving company. Check out what customers are saying about some of the movers you’re thinking of working with. Places like their Google profile, Reddit, and Consumer Reports are great websites to read about their clients’ previous experiences.
Pay attention to both the quantity and quality of the reviews. If a lot of customers have found them to be reliable long-distance movers, chances are you will too.
Only Contact Legitimate Long-Distance Movers
Another important part of finding reliable long-distance movers is checking their legitimacy. Not all moving companies are fully licensed and insured, or even registered with the local and federal governments.
There are a few steps you can take to find legit movers and avoid moving scams:
- Review their website to see if it’s up-to-date.
- Make sure the company has a physical address.
- Call their office and request documentation of their credentials.
- Ask your friends and family for their referrals.
Additionally, you’ll need to know the difference between brokers and carriers. Carriers are almost always the best bet since they’re actual moving companies who will provide the services for your move. Brokers, on the other hand, are essentially sales companies who find a third-party mover to handle the actual services. If you go with a broker, you won’t be sure exactly who will show up on your move day, and many of these companies re-estimate your move when they arrive at your home.
When it’s time to obtain pricing from the moving company, they should provide a formal written estimate. If they instead try to do business over the phone, chances are they’re not a legitimate business.
Request Multiple Estimates
Long-distance moving can be rather expensive, and you want to make sure you’re getting great value for every dollar you spend. Send your home’s inventory, your old and new addresses, and your preferred move dates to at least three different interstate movers so you can compare their estimates.
Once you have a few different estimates, take a look at their line items. Compare the rates per cubic foot and the total amount of truck space listed on each estimate. You should also review their fuel surcharges to ensure you’re getting the best value.
You will have questions on these estimates, and that’s ok! Call or email each moving company to ask about their pricing, timeline, and anything else you’re unsure of. You’ll know a company is reliable if its team covers all the bases and happily answers all of your questions.
Read All the Fine Print
Moving estimates contain a lot of information, and there will almost certainly be some fine print. It’ll take some time, but it’s crucial that you read every word to make sure you’re not going to be surprised by hidden fees or unexpected costs come moving day.
Remember: your moving company is there to serve you and to put your mind at ease about your upcoming relocation. Don’t be afraid to call and ask them questions about their terms of service. In other words, let them prove to you that they’re reliable long-distance movers.
Create a List of Questions to Ask
Most people aren’t well-versed in long-distance moving, which means not everyone knows the right questions to ask. You’ll likely come up with specific questions about the estimates you receive, but here are a few examples of common questions to get you started:
- Can I save money if I move in the middle of the month instead of the end of the month?
- Do you offer packing and unpacking services?
- What materials will be used to protect my belongings?
- How will my shipment be tracked in transit?
- What happens if I’m delayed on the road and the movers arrive at my new home before I do?
- Will the movers reassemble my furniture at my new home?
The more questions you ask, the more your mind will be at ease that your prized possessions are in the right movers’ hands.
Pick the Right Moving Insurance or Coverage
Any home relocation—across the street or across the country—requires choosing the right coverage to protect your belongings in case any items are damaged or lost. Picking the right option requires understanding what moving insurance covers.
In most cases, you’ll have three different coverage options:
- Released value protection. Movers are required by law to include this at no extra cost to their customers. This is moving coverage instead of insurance, and dictates that the mover is liable for $0.60 per pound per lost or damaged item.
- Full value protection. Your moving company will offer this as an option, and you can purchase this coverage for an additional fee. It’s not actual insurance, but the mover will repair or replace the lost or damaged item, or give you a cash settlement based on the item’s market value.
- Third-party moving insurance. Moving companies don’t offer true insurance policies, but you can contact a third party like your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance for a new policy during your interstate move.
It can be tough to determine which coverage is right for your move. If you have antiques or items of extraordinary value, it’s probably best to get a third-party policy since movers don’t cover those articles. And if you have questions about coverage, just contact your moving company’s customer service team, and they’ll outline your options.
Start Your Prep and Pack Early
Interstate moves—including finding reliable long-distance movers—require a lot of planning. If possible, start the process at least three or four months before your move date. This will give you time to not only find the right movers but also to budget for your relocation and declutter your home.
It’s never too early to start packing for a move. Try to chip away at boxing up your home’s contents over the weeks and months leading up to the big day. Ask your friends, neighbors, and local businesses for boxes and source eco-friendly packing and moving supplies. The more you spread out the packing process, the less stressed you’ll be as your move date approaches.
Choose Move-tastic! as Your Reliable Long-Distance Movers
We’ve been Chicago’s favorite moving company for a long time. If you’re heading into town from out of state or leaving the Windy City for a new chapter in your life, we’re your go-to crew of reliable long-distance movers.
Get in touch with us today for a free estimate!