In 2021, about 27 million Americans moved households, including almost 5 million interstate moves, per the United States Census. Most moves indicate a new beginning and are often hopeful. Almost every move is stressful. Avoid disaster by planning carefully if you are moving yourself. Alternatively, choose carefully if you are working with professionals.

Identify What Type of Moving Service You Need

Here is the first batch of questions that you should ask:

• Is your move local or long distance?
• Is your move within state, that is intrastate or interstate?
• Do any items require special handling due to size (piano) or fragility (fine art)?
• Does your departure or destination residence have (homeowner association) restrictions?
• Is your moving window restrictive or time sensitive?
• Do you require other services, such as packing or storage?

Answering these questions may help you prioritize or eliminate providers who are local, regional or national providers or that can offer full services. Next, start thinking about your selection filters or criteria.

Referrals Are Great, but Reviews Could Be Just as Good

Getting referrals from friends and family is a good place to start. But as always, consider the source. While advice from someone close will be honest, they may or may not be experienced or reasonable in their evaluation. If you have a realtor or home service provider that you trust, in addition to providing an honest opinion, they might be better suited to provide a professional opinion having multiple recent experiences to compare.

Testimonials on a mover’s website should be considered; remember as publisher, even a good moving company could be selective with which reviews are shared. Third party sites with reviews, such as Google, Yelp or Facebook are more reliable and less likely to be subject to any type of filtering. Look for commentary that discusses services like what you require. Specificity matters – including how problems were handled. Eventually, even reputable moving companies face challenges such as weather, accidents, or sickness among others. How do they handle problems? Sometimes, online reviews can provide insights that might help you identify when to hire movers.

Get an In-Person Moving Quote

If possible, get an in-person quote. Such a quote is far more likely to be accurate. It will give you another opportunity to evaluate the potential mover’s professionalism – such as timeliness, mannerisms, or appearance. If the time is tight, a visual estimate could be offered through a remote camera or recorded video. If the mover does not specifically ask, be sure to point out your garage, basement, or attic, if they include items to be moved.

Check Credentials Such as USDOT Number

Companies that provide interstate service must have a USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) Number. Other credentials to check include the Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce, and insurance carriers. Other indicators of consistency include years in business and professional associations such as Business Networking International (BNI) or the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). Additionally, check to see if the movers have their own truck and specialty equipment. If there are too many pieces being rented, it may be an indication of inexperience or undercapitalization.

Get A Written Contract & Review Terms

While handshakes are great, a written contract offers clarification and allows review. Note dates, services included, items that create additional charges, what is insured, and payment terms. What are the expectations or contingencies should items be damaged in transit or if traffic causes delays? Besides specific terms, a moving company with years of experience will better anticipate hazards, adjusting accordingly and extending more flexibility to deal with such matters. Most movers require secure payment upon delivery (including certified checks). One thing to avoid is large deposits. Anything more than 20% prior to moving should raise flags. Ask if your estimate is binding or only allowed to vary within a certain percentage and for well-defined circumstances.

Get Multiple Quotes

Among the benefits of getting multiple quotes is to be better informed. Unless you move frequently, you may be unaware of market rates. A quote that is too low could imply a mover that is inexperienced or is trying to lure you in with a bait and switch tactic. A quote that is too high without any accompanying additional or superior service is often just wasteful. Be sure that you are comparing apples to apples and that you have a basic understanding of what cost drivers are influencing your quote – be it number of items, weight of items, miles driver or specialty handling.

Tactics to make your budget go farther

If your time is more constrained than your budget, then find a full-service provider who will complete your move in a timely, stress-free fashion. Alternatively, you may be able to save some money by packing yourself, moving during an off-peak season, or providing certain packing supplies. As always, careful planning and clear communication with your mover can help identify areas where there might be some savings.

If Scammed, Act Quickly and Know Your Options

Picking the wrong mover can turn a stressful situation into a harrowing one. The BBB records over 10,000 complaints annually and there are over 1,000 companies with an “F” rating in their database. For starters, avoid these companies. The list below raises some potential red flags:

• Requiring a large deposit (say exceeding 20%) before moving
• Companies that refuse any credit card payments
• Companies not registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Sight unseen estimates
• Companies that frequently change names or are very new
• Failure to offer insurance or explain liabilities
• Providers that show up with a rental moving van
• Failure to provide a copy of “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”
• Contracts that are blank but require your signature
• Low ball estimates designed to lure you in
• Inflating the weight of items to be moved

One strong-arm tactic deployed by unethical movers is holding your furniture ransom while leveling extra charges. The 110% Rule is a regulation issued by the FMCSA that prohibits a moving company demanding payment over 10% more than your written cost estimate. If you can, call the police. Otherwise, file a complaint as quickly as possible after you have retrieved your goods. Minor delivery delays or slightly damaged items might be covered by insurance or could be settled amicably. Typically, those types of events are not considered fraudulent. MoveRescue is a service that helps consumers deal with moving scams.

Hiring a moving company is challenging. However, some due diligence upfront should reduce the likelihood of experiencing headaches. In our 35 years of serving residential movers in Westchester County, we have heard of some nightmares. Fortunately, we have earned reviews describing our service such as:

Having hired McAvey on two separate occasions to provide long distance moving. They were fantastic! We agreed on a price, pick up date delivery date/time. Both moves were stress free, on time…not one issue…seamless! The staff were extremely polite, professional, and knowledgeable. My furniture and boxes were handled with care. 5-star rating for a reason!
Pat N.

Remember, to move the right way, call McAvey. Call us on (914) 747-1533 or schedule your moving quote.