4 Things Any Moving Company Should Guarantee

When you decide to hire a moving company, you need to make sure you chose a reputable and professional one. There are many relocation companies on the market and probably in your city, but only a few of them are reliable and deserve your trust and money. So, if you don’t know what a good moving company should guarantee to their customers for them to enjoy a smooth moving process, here are some tips that will help you make your choice:

1. A+ rating

Just like any other company, moving companies too have institutions that grade their performance and professionalism. So, if you want to be sure you’re hiring a reputable relocation company, you should make sure you choose a company that has received the A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

BBB is a private, non-profit organization that has the capacity to monitor businesses in various fields. They can rate the companies monitored on a scale from “F” to “A+”, with “A+” being, of course, the highest rate any company can receive. Consumers can trust the BBB and their decisions because their ratings usually reflect the service quality and products offered by the companies evaluated by their experts. So, if the moving company you choose has an “A+” rating, you can be sure you will be working with a professional company.

2. Free upfront estimates

It’s preferable for a moving company to conduct a free on-site evaluation of the moving process, so they can provide you with an accurate estimate. However, some companies manage to do this following a lengthy discussion with the person who needs their moving service, if they know the exact details of their move: distance, the number of trucks, crew size etc.

The most reputable moving companies guarantee free on-site estimates, which reflect the actual cost of the moving with the highest level of accuracy. You will find out then what services they include in their estimate, as well as if you need to pay for additional services. Make sure you get a written estimate because this way you will be protected by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, in case the company will try to add unexpected costs.

3. A moving arbitration program

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any moving company needs to have a moving arbitration program. This program allows the customers to raise claims against the moving company, in case they refuse to pay for damages or if they are not satisfied with their service, without having to sue them.

Arbitration is done by an independent arbitrator, and a dispute is usually handled in less than 60 days. Their decision is binding for both parties involved and will take effect as soon as it’s communicated. The arbitrators are professionals who know the laws regarding moving goods, so you will benefit from their expertise and benefit from a fair, impartial arbitration and decision.

4. Insurance

Any professional moving company needs to have insurance. In case your items get deteriorated, lost, or stolen during the moving process, the insurance will cover their costs, so you can replace them. You should work only with a company that can prove they have valid insurance, as well as a legal license and a US DOT number. You can check to see if the DOT number is valid in the database of the FMCSA. If they don’t have this number, it’s best to keep searching for a different moving company. The DOT number proves that the company is well established and has been in business for more than 20 years.