It can be a hard task to choose the best Moving Company in Los Angeles. The Better Business Bureau receives close to 8000 complaint about moving companies alone in the United States alone. The BBB reports that most of these complaints stem from the alleged damaged or lost property. The other things that make up this list include late arrivals, charging for unworked hours, and failure to honor moving estimates.
Moving is among the most stressful events in life. Your stuff may arrive when they are broken or you may end up with a surprise bill. You can avoid all this by vetting various moving companies in the region. It will take you a little extra time but it will save you a bunch of hassles. Here are some of the tips that will help you to choose the best moving company in Los Angeles.
1. Get Referrals
Browsing a phone book or searching the internet for Los Angeles movers can be a daunting task. For a start, ask your family members, coworkers, and friends if they can recommend a moving company to you. In case you are dealing with a real estate agent, you can still ask them for a referral. You can also receive quotes from moving.com and get the best mover service in the region.
2. Follow the Rule of the Threes
You should never settle for the initial estimate that you receive. It is good to ask for an in-person estimate from at least three companies. The company pros must come to see your belongings to be able to give you an accurate estimate.
3. Watch Out for the Red Flags
Keep a close eye for any red flags during the estimate. For instance, most of the reputable movers won’t ask you for cash deposits before the move. In case the mover appears to be hungry to receive the cash up front, it could be an illegit business. Also, take note of the levels of professionalism of the mover during the estimate.
These experts may come in late, appear not to be sure about their abilities, or fail to answer your questions. In case such things happen to you, it is advisable to look for another company. The other thing to be wary of are the movers who show up in a rented van. Any professional moving company in Los Angeles will always own its equipment. What this tells you is that the company is serious with what it is doing.
4. Is the Mover Insured and Licensed?
Licensed interstate movers in the United States are normally issued with the U.S. DOT number from the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier. In case you are doing an out-of-state move, verify the license of the moving company through the protectyourmove.gov website of FMCSA. You can request for the U.S. DOT number of the company from this site. In case you need to file a claim against the moving company on a later date, you will need this number. If your move is within the state, you can check with the local consumer affairs agency. The list of local agencies is readily available through the contracts database of the FMCSA.
5. Check the Better Business Bureau
Researching the track record of the company with the Better Business Bureau is also important. The good thing is that you can do this online for free. Only go for moving companies that are accredited by the BBB especially the ones that have a good rating. In case the moving company is not accredited with the BBB, it is better to get one that is accredited. It is a great indication of the reputation that the company holds within the market.
6. Ask About the Professional Accreditation of the Company
Trade associations normally vet organizations before giving them an approved or membership seal. It is wise to go for movers who carry the ProMover logo from the American Moving and Storage Association. The American Moving Association also has a website (Moving.org) and you can search for the approved companies on this site directly.
7. Verify the Company’s Address
Pull up the website of the mover or ask for their business card and look for their address or through the phonebook. The address of the mover should be listed and registered under the names of the company. Avoid any addresses that are listed under residential names. It is a clear indication that you are not dealing with a reputable brand.
The above tips will help you to choose the best moving company in Los Angeles. Remember, the kind of company that you choose will determine the quality of service that you get. Therefore, you have to make sure that you are making the right choice from the onset
