Finding a trustworthy Atlanta furniture mover or a Memphis furniture mover is a challenge; horror stories of tardy movers who make sleeping on the floor for weeks or setting up lawn furniture in the living room a necessity abound, and you’re not ready to trust just anyone with your grandmother’s upright piano.
As you’re researching how to find furniture movers, here are eight questions you should ask prospective moving companies before shaking hands.
How Long Has Your Company Been in Business?
Every company has its early days; just because a furniture mover has only been around for a few years doesn’t mean that they won’t provide high-quality service. However, young companies typically have a few kinks to work out. Unless you don’t mind your expensive furniture being among those “kinks,” you may want to look elsewhere. Find furniture movers that can point to a proven track record of service, efficiency and care.
Is Your Company Licensed?
Proper licensing and insurance are a must-have for furniture movers. A moving company that will be moving you from state to state should have a US DOT number, which is a license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation. Ask your furniture mover for their DOT number, and then verify that it’s valid by locating it on this database. If you’re moving in-state, you’ll want to confirm that your furniture mover has a state license. Licensed Atlanta furniture movers are listed here, and Memphis furniture movers are found on this list.
What About Insurance?
In most states, for-hire furniture movers are required to carry proper insurance. However, it’s not unheard of for a company to let their insurance expire or even skip it altogether. You want dedicated, professional furniture movers to handle your home’s largest (and some of its most expensive) items, not an uninsured group of people who call themselves a moving company but really just do moving as a side gig to make a few extra bucks on the weekends. You should be able to verify insurance on the same website you visited to check licensing.
Have You Received Recognition for Service?
Taking the time to research a furniture mover’s reputation will save you time, money and in all likelihood, a significant amount of stress. Ask your prospective mover if they’ve received awards or accolades for service, or find them on social media and see what their customers have to say about them.
What Does Your Rate Cover?
Don’t be enticed by low upfront rates; they rarely translate into a low final bill. Sure, you want to find a mover with competitive rates, but if their price quote is suspiciously low, you can bet that you’ll be slammed with hidden costs and unexpected fees. When you’re inquiring about price, find out if fuel charges are included in the price you’re quoted, if bulky items have higher fees, or if weekday rates are better than weekend rates.
How Will My Furniture Be Protected From Damage?
Yes, a furniture mover’s insurance will cover damages to your furniture, but that may not be much of a consolation while you’re sweeping up the pieces of your beloved grandfather clock. Find out whether the furniture mover uses packing supplies like bubble wrap, shrink wrap and furniture blankets to safely transport your belongings. While you’re at it, you may want to confirm whether packing materials are included in the price quote.
Do You Have Consolidation Policies?
Consolidation is when your belongings are combined with someone else’s on the moving truck(s) and transported together. This is a good way to save money, and it usually works out just fine. However, it can push out the time that the moving truck will arrive at your home because multiple stops may be made before your belongings are delivered.
Especially if you are moving out of state, have your furniture mover explain their consolidation policies in great detail. Finding out whether you have a delivery window or an exact delivery date can save you a lot of frustration.
Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
If a furniture mover is ready to give you a price quote without finding out how many bedrooms are in your home or apartment, how many boxes you anticipate moving, or whether you have any large items that require special handling, then they’re probably not the mover for you. Find furniture movers who are detail-oriented in the initial stage of the process; that’s a good sign that they’ll be detail-oriented every step of the way.
How to Find Furniture Movers You Can Trust
When it comes to finding the right furniture movers for you, there’s no substitute for research. No one gives a glowing review for a mover who over-promises and under-delivers or who hands them a final bill riddled with unexpected fees. A solid reputation that is built on experience, trust and a commitment to quality can ensure that your moving day goes off without a hitch.
Big League Movers, which provides service for residents of Memphis, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in providing top-rate service and value.
