Up to 40 million people move every year in the US, making the moving company active everywhere. There has been a rise in the number of complaints by consumers against several moving companies who either exploit them or charge awful prices. It can be better for you to know a few important things to prevent any type of moving scams and stay well-informed. Here are the top 5 things you should look out for when hiring a moving company.
- Being Lazy with a Full Inspection
If a mover is not visiting your house or company for scanning the whole place, they are being lazy and may ask for more money afterward. Homeowners may have a large number of belongings that they have actually estimated before. When you are clearing out, you might gouge extra things which are stored under the bed, behind the cupboard, or in the garage. The moving price depends more on the entire weight of your belonging and the space it covers inside the truck rather than on the mileage.
- Brief Inspection
Movers who give you a quote by inspecting the house rapidly without checking the things on the shelves or the furniture in your rooms are not reliable and go off-target sometimes. An experienced estimator will ask you many questions such as whether you will eat the food or move it into the pantry while moving or if you are going to sell some furniture. It is essential for you to provide all the information firsthand. Many movers don’t return the belongings unless you pay more money so it is better to resolve things.
- The Name Change
To detect a scammy mover, search for their business names on the internet because they change names after every few months. From a local address to having a legal license for moving your belonging, make sure you check everything before hiring movers. If the movers refer to themselves as moving services instead of their legitimate business name, they are often suspicious and might exploit you. You can ask about their personal history with a client and get in touch with those people to know about their experience with the company.
- Packaging Costs and Extra Fees
When it comes to hiring movers, a slight contradiction is they will not be responsible for damages while moving your belonging if you have packed it on your own. If you allow the movers to pack your belongings, you are dividing the high prices for packing several boxes and extra packing materials combining all the labor and time. If you are shifting from or to an 8th-floor apartment, you have to pay extra charges for it. You also have to pay a surcharge if the moving truck is bigger and is unable to fit in the narrow street you are shifting in.
- The 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Quote
Federal Law issues two different kinds of moving contracts, one is a binding estimate and the other one is a non-binding estimate. A non-binding estimate means the moving company cannot ask for more than 10% of the initial estimate due within a month of delivery. Whereas a binding estimate is the final guaranteed price you have to pay including the extras. If further services are requested in a binding estimate like unpacking the boxes, the added fees are due within a month of delivery. The prices do not necessarily increase unless the weight of your belongings exceeds than the original estimate.
How to Prevent Moving Scams Effortlessly
- Ask referrals or consult your friends and family members to give you a few contact numbers of reliable moving companies. Speak to a real estate agent who can be a better guide and experienced in such matters.
- Always check twice before hiring a moving company. Make sure the movers have an official website and a local address. Check all the blacklisted companies too.
- If the company doesn’t send anyone to your house for an inspection, don’t hire them. Many reliable moving companies spend 15 minutes or more with their clients to answer relatable questions and offering tips.
- Don’t pay more than 30% down payment or a large upfront fees or even half the decided amount.
Author Bio: Ilean Jane is fun loving and loves to blog. She is a story teller, a foodie and looks forward to anything adventurous. Currently she is working for Irvine Residential Living.