Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about accidentally hiring movers that aren’t properly trained. Or a move crew that doesn’t represent a legitimate moving company!
Fortunately, there are several ways to spot a professional moving service that can help you have a smooth move. From checking their credentials all the way through reading their online reviews, here are five ways to tell that your local moving company is professional.
Professional moving services are licensed and insured
Professional moving companies want to show off their credentials. Every local mover must be licensed and insured in order to be considered a legitimate, professional moving company. In your search to find a mover in Chicago, don’t just look for the cheapest company. Make sure they’re a professional moving service!
The first place to check is the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) website and type your local mover’s name into the box under “Motor Carrier Information System”. The ICC exists to protect consumers by helping them find professional, legitimate companies. So if the moving company that you’re considering doesn’t have a profile, they might not be a legitimate moving service.
A second website that can help confirm the legitimacy of your local mover is the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association (IMAWA). Their site will help you find a licensed mover so you hire the right moving company near you.
Once you’ve found a few professional moving services in your area, the next step is to request some estimates!
They have a thorough estimate process
Not surprisingly, one of the biggest questions that customers ask moving companies in Chicago is: “How much will my move cost?”. It’s a legitimate inquiry! Moving can be both stressful and expensive. That’s why it’s so important that your local mover has a thorough estimate process. The more cohesive the process, the better chance you have of receiving an accurate estimate from a professional moving service.
It might seem like a waste of time to fill out multiple estimate requests with different companies for your upcoming move. However, getting a few prices can save you money in the long run—and you’ll have peace of mind that you’ve hired the best local mover for the best price. Here are a few elements you should see in a professional, thorough estimate:
- The addresses you’re moving from and to
- Flights of stairs or necessary elevator reservations
- A detailed inventory of the items you need moved
- Itemized materials such as TV boxes or specialty boxes to pack your artwork and mirrors
- Assistance with parking permits
Keep in mind that you often get what you pay for when it comes to hiring service and labor. Instead of going with low cost movers or the cheapest estimate you get, make sure there aren’t any hidden fees like materials or travel time.
Part of a thorough estimate process is being transparent. If your moving company isn’t upfront and honest with you before you book your move, chances are the crew that arrives in the moving truck on your move day won’t be trustworthy either!
They have a branded fleet of vehicles
Another great way to tell whether your local mover is professional is by looking at their vehicles. Have you seen their moving trucks driving around your area? Are they clean? Are they clearly branded with the moving company’s information? If so, they’re probably a legitimate, professional moving service.
Additionally, your move crew should be in uniform. If the team that arrives to help you pack and move isn’t wearing company branded shirts, you might not have a professional crew. The best moving companies in Chicago provide intensive training and great looking uniforms to their movers—and they want to show off their logo! This is just one step your local mover should take in impressing their customers.
They provide fantastic customer service
Professional moving companies want to impress their customers. From the first time you visit their website through the end of a successful move, they should provide you with fantastic customer service.
First, you should be able to easily find your local mover on the Internet. Their website should be inviting, informative, and offer a user-friendly online estimate process. They should also post their contact information throughout each landing page so that you can easily contact them if you have any questions about your unique move.
Second, the best moving companies in Chicago are friendly and helpful throughout the estimate and booking process. They should work hard to make sure you’re set up for the smoothest move possible! If you don’t feel that a particular moving service is going above and beyond to set you up for success, it might be time to look elsewhere. If they’re not willing to help you coordinate your move, chances are the crew that they send you on your move day will also be indifferent to helping you have a great move.
Great moving services take great care of their customers—and their customers share their great experiences in online reviews!
Their customers love them
A lot of people search online for their products and services. That’s why a local mover’s online reviews are such a great resource! People love to share their experiences, both good and bad. When a lot of clients are happy to leave a positive review for their moving company, you can rest assured that you’re going to get great service!
Conversely, if a local mover doesn’t have a lot of positive reviews—or hardly any reviews at all—they might not be a good company. In addition to reviews giving online consumers peace of mind when they hire professional moving services, online reviews can actually legitimize a company. Just be sure to look out for scams or fake reviews so you don’t get fooled into hiring a subpar moving company!
The best professional moving company in Chicago is ready to help you move!
Sure, Move-tastic! is licensed and insured, have an thorough estimate process, an awesome-looking fleet, and incredible customer service that our clients love to brag about. However, we still encourage you to check us out for yourself!
Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services.