There are many reasons why people move — some are career-related, while others are for personal reasons, like marriage and family reunions. Most people find moving to be an exciting time in their lives as this can be an opportunity to take on a new adventure and embrace change.

During the moving preparation, more people nowadays hire professional companies to take care of their personal belongings so that they can focus more on other aspects of the new journey. However, rushed decisions often cause people to hire the wrong moving company, which can lead to unnecessary damaged belongings and delays.

Therefore, hiring a reliable moving company specializing in their service is essential for ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. This guide will introduce five common mistakes to avoid when choosing a hiring company.

Skipping research and background check

For starters, it is not a wise idea to entrust your priceless belongings to a moving company without first checking their insurance coverage and credentials. Many overlook this step because they believe all moving companies are trustworthy and covered by insurance.

Additionally, one of the most common errors people make is spending less time comparing multiple moving companies. Choosing the first option you find could lead to increased expenses, scams, or poor service.

Before making the final decision, it is important to do an extensive research. You can search reviews and testimonials from past customers, check their credentials, and make sure they own the required licenses and insurance. Knowing who you will be partnering with is advisable since there will be a long journey ahead of you.

Hiring a company based on the price

Saving money is always a good thing, but choosing the movers with the lowest price could result in a mistake. There is a high chance that a low-price company is actually a scam. In addition, they may lack insurance and other security measures during the moving process. Therefore, it might end up costing you more than hiring a reliable moving company.

To avoid this, you can select a reliable moving company that charges fairly and delivers high-quality service.

Not making an advanced reservation

Failing to book an advanced reservation is one of the most crucial errors to avoid as it can cause several issues. For example, your chosen moving company may already have another project scheduled for that day and will not be able to handle yours. As a result, there is a possibility that you cannot find a moving company or you have to opt for unprofessional companies as they are the only ones available.

To prevent the issues, schedule your moving company at least one week in advance if you are planning to relocate within the same city. If you plan to make a long-distance move, then it would be better to book a reservation a month before.

Not requesting a written contract

Always have everything in written format when working with a moving company. Most current-day authorized companies will strictly work based on working contracts. An unlicensed or unapproved moving company can undertake relocations without proper agreement or contract. This will surely compromise the security and safety of the items in your home or business when you work with such movers.

Therefore, it is best to get everything in writing and only choose a moving company that works with agreements.

Not asking for additional fees and written estimates

Many moving companies will rarely include additional fees, such as packing supplies. This can be very costly, and you may not be aware of them until you see the final bill. To ensure you have an accurate understanding of the overall costs, always inquire with your moving company about any additional fees they may charge.

Furthermore, professional movies will visit and examine the location that will be relocated. Then, they will provide a moving quote and estimation based on the weight and shipment size. Usually, the actual cost will not vary as much.

Fraudulent companies might provide an estimate over the phone and take advantage of the circumstances. This can result in a higher invoice amount than you anticipated, so always remember to ask for a written estimate.