How to find a mover

The reputation and integrity of your moving company are characteristics you can't afford to overlook when choosing who will be responsible for moving your most prized possessions. With thousands of local and national moving companies available, it is important to do your research before booking your movers to avoid any surprise costs the day of your move. Research at least three moving companies and ask them the questions below before you commit to one particular company.

1. How long have you been in business? All things equal, choose a reputable moving company that has been in business for a while. Don't choose a newly formed company just because they can compete on price.

2. Are you a moving company or a brokerage company? Be aware that brokerage companies are merely middlemen; they cannot offer binding quotes, nor can they claim to be responsible for any losses that may incur. Work directly with the moving company to avoid any costs that you might be charged beyond the quote provided.

3. Is your quote binding? Will there be extra charges? Make sure you don't have any surprises coming your way on delivery day. Request that the moving company provide you a list of additional fees you may incur based on the type of dwelling you will be moving to. Condo and apartment buildings may have additional fees, such as elevator or long hallway fees.

4. What forms of payment do you accept? It is generally recommended to avoid companies that only accept cash. Be sure to find out how much is due on deposit and how much is due upon delivery. Also, is the deposit refundable?

5. Who packs and loads the furniture? How much can I help with this? Do you provide dollies, blankets or any other supplies? And do I pay for these supplies? Moving companies have different policies regarding these issues, so if you want to help the movers throughout the process, be sure to ask these questions in advance. Be sure to find out how much they charge for packing supplies, so you can look into purchasing these on your own to help keep costs down. However, be sure to find out the liabilities of packing your items yourself.

6. How do you handle items with special requirements, such as unwieldy or fragile items? Is there an extra cost associated with these? What happens if something breaks? If you packed the item yourself, you might not have any recourse, as the moving company may claim it was packed poorly. However, if the company is full-service, be sure to inquire about their policies regarding damaged goods in transit.

7. Do you have any special deals with self-storage finders? If you are planning on moving your things into storage, see whether the moving company offers a deal. If the moving company is partnered with a reputable storage company, this could save you money.

8. What is your cancellation policy in the event that something comes up? You don't want to pay fines if you need to cancel or change your pick-up date.

9. Do you guarantee your pick-up and delivery dates? What happens if you miss them? If you're on a fixed schedule and it's essential your items get to their destination on time, this is a vital question to ask.

10. What type of insurance is included? Can I purchase more? If your moving company doesn't allow you to purchase additional insurance, you can always purchase more insurance from a third-party insurance company.