{"id":2127,"date":"2017-05-25T13:05:04","date_gmt":"2017-05-25T13:05:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moving.tips\/?p=2127"},"modified":"2022-04-19T09:59:01","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T09:59:01","slug":"find-qualified-movers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moving.tips\/pre-move-tips\/find-qualified-movers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make sure my movers are qualified"},"content":{"rendered":"

When hiring professionals<\/strong> to do a job for you, you expect professional attitude,<\/em> professional services, <\/em>and professional results,<\/em> right? You assume that you\u2019re working with experts who know their stuff and can easily handle the challenges they\u2019re presented with. You believe that you\u2019re dealing with licensed and trustworthy specialists who provide quality customer service at fair rates.<\/p>\n

In the best case scenario<\/em>, you\u2019ll be right \u2013 there are many reliable professionals out there who will do such a good job that you\u2019ll never regret the money for hiring them.<\/p>\n

In a not-so-good scenario<\/em>, however, you may hire incompetent people who just lack the professional know-how, rich experience, or proper equipment to perform quality work.<\/p>\n

In the worst possible scenario<\/em>, you may fall victim to scam artists who want to deceive and rip off their customers.<\/p>\n

So, how can you avoid these last two disaster scenarios? How can you make sure you hire qualified and experienced specialists? Especially when it comes to a big and important endeavor, such as moving house, when professional assistance is so sorely needed?<\/p>\n

When looking for moving professionals, you will most certainly want them to take good care of your items, work in a safe and efficient manner, and charge fair prices for their services. The only way to make this happen and ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation is to hire a qualified, experienced, and reliable moving company.<\/p>\n

How to know if your chosen movers are trustworthy?<\/h2>\n

To make sure that you\u2019re dealing with qualified professionals, you need to confirm that your chosen movers are properly licensed and well recognized for their quality services:<\/p>\n

1) Verify your movers\u2019 licensing credentials<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professional movers are required by law to be registered and authorized to transport household goods and perform moving services:<\/p>\n

#<\/strong> Intrastate moving companies need a state license with the State Department of Transportation or Bureau of Consumer Affairs in order to operate legally;<\/p>\n

#<\/strong> Interstate moving companies must have a USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).<\/p>\n

So, to make sure that your chosen movers are properly certified and insured, you need to find out if they have a valid USDOT number or state license. Go to the FMCSA official website<\/a> (or your state\u2019s government website in the event of a local move) and enter the USDOT number (or MC number) of your chosen company. All the available data will be displayed \u2013 if the \u201cOut of Service\u201d field says NO<\/em><\/strong>, the \u201cHousehold Goods\u201d field says YES<\/em> <\/strong>and the safety ranking is at least SATISFACTORY<\/em><\/strong>, you can rest assured that you\u2019re working with a legitimate moving company.<\/p>\n

2) Make sure your movers are fully bonded and liable for damage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Upon signing a contract with a certified moving company, you automatically receive basic liability protection. It comes for free but covers only $0,60 per lbs per item and does not allow punitive damage claims. Such a limited coverage may not be enough to ensure your peace of mind and you may want to go with another insurance plan<\/a> that works better for you.<\/p>\n

A reliable moving company will offer full value protection \u2013 it incurs an extra charge but under it the movers assume liability for the full cost of repairs or the replacement value of any goods that have been damaged or gone missing while in their custody.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, a properly insured moving company will provide workers\u2019 compensation and public liability insurance, so that you won\u2019t be held responsible for any accidents or personal injuries that may occur on your property during the moving process.<\/p>\n

3) Find out if your chosen moving company belongs to a movers\u2019 association<\/strong><\/p>\n

Membership in a well-known and esteemed moving organization guarantees that the company abides by the federal laws, meets the quality standards held by the association, and has agreed to participate in arbitration programs.<\/p>\n

Each US state has at least one association that represents the movers located in it (such as the California Moving & Storage Association<\/a> or the Florida Movers and Warehousemen’s Association<\/a>). These non-profit organizations have established certain standards for their members in order to help improve the moving industry and promote fair business practices. If a moving company violates the code of ethics set by the organization or uses illegal practices, it will lose its credibility and benefits of being a member of that organization.<\/p>\n

Therefore, if the company you consider hiring for your move holds accreditation from a reputable movers\u2019 association, it is a guarantee of reliability and professionalism.<\/p>\n

4) Check the company\u2019s business rating<\/strong><\/p>\n

Positive ratings and awards for service are among the most significant proofs of reliability and high quality a moving company can get. So, to find out what kind of company you\u2019re dealing with, you\u2019re advised to:<\/p>\n