How to Find the Best Professional Movers in Your Local Area

We all know that moving is no easy task, but there are tons of ways to make the whole process a lot easier. It all starts by hiring the most experienced professional moving company in your locality. But, how are you supposed to find the best of the best near you?

Whether you need movers to take care of a fairly straightforward residential move locally or you’re packing up all your belongings and moving across country or even internationally, heed these tips and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and aggravation: 

Find a Moving Company that Specializes in What You Need

No two moves are alike, so you need to look for a moving company with the specific experience you require. For example, you may be moving your family from an apartment to a single-family home, so it makes no sense to consider a company that specializes in relocating manufacturing plants. Moving companies specialize in all kinds of things. Some crate valuable paintings and pack other extremely fragile items, but have no experience moving aquariums or pool tables.  

So, before you hire any moving company, no matter how high their ratings are, you must ask them to provide a detailed explanation of their precise experience or area of specialty. Do not cut corners here, do the research necessary to find movers that can provide what you need. 

Go Online & Compare Reviews of the Top Contenders

Once you have a list of the top three or four most reputable local moving companies, go online and check out their reviews. 

All you need is five or ten minutes reading reviews online to get a good idea of whether a particular local or long distance moving company is reliable and trustworthy or not. You can go to websites like Yelp, AngiesList or HomeAdvisor to get the real story on how these movers handle their jobs and treat their clients. 

Ask Your Friends, Family & Neighbors for Recommendations

Another great way to find the best moving companies in your area is by asking the people you trust most for recommendations, especially if they live nearby and have moved in the past 3-6 months. It’s one thing to read a rave review online, but it’s much better to get a personal referral from close friends, family members, coworkers or neighbors. 

Ask to See Licenses, Certifications & Proof of Insurance

You need to ensure that the moving company you hire is up-to-date and in full compliance with the law regarding local, state and federal licensing, insurance, and any other certifications or credentials that may be required. 

Speak Directly to Your Movers Before Hiring

Any reputable moving company certainly knows how stressful relocating is for most people. To relieve some of this stress you should make sure you speak directly to the team that would be carrying out your move. In all likelihood they offer free on-site or in-home quotes. This gives you a great opportunity to get your questions answered and to become somewhat familiar with them on a personal level. You will want to feel comfortable trusting them with all your belongings so this is a necessary additional step.