Movers: Finding The Right Guys for the Job

When it comes to moving, the cheapest solution is to rent a truck, grab a bunch of friends for cheap labor, and do it yourself. Unfortunately, this isn't always a practical solution. Some people don't have enough friends to make it a reasonable effort and many feel uncomfortable putting their friends in that position anyway. Thus, hiring movers becomes a much more attractive option. Thankfully, there are plenty of companies that are happy to do the job. On the flip side, there are many companies that you wouldn't trust to move a toy out of your front yard, much less all of your possessions. Here are some things you can do to make the distinction.

Call the Department of Transportation

Before you even think of hiring movers, you should make sure they are legally licensed to handle the job. A call to the DOT can sort this out. Give them the name of the company and have them tell you if they have the proper licenses to work in the industry. This is important for a few reasons. Most relevant, you want to hire a company that is above the board. When they are shirking on paperwork here, and operating under the table there, it says something about how they do business. You don't want them to take the same shortcuts when moving your belongings.

Call the Better Business Bureau

It should be noted that the BBB is not a government organization, it has no legal authority, and membership in its ranks means nothing more than that the company paid to belong. That said, it is a good resource if you want to see if any customers have filed a complaints. The name is known, and thus many customers go there first when they have a serious complaint about a company. What's more, the BBB offers companies an opportunity to respond to complaints and make a bad situation good.

How Long In Operation?

Longevity in any field is a good sign. Customers who are consistently dissatisfied will make their thoughts known. Companies that illegally rip off their customers will be put out of business. So if there are movers in your area that have worked for many years, it probably means they are doing right by their customers. This isn't always a sure thing, of course. Moving is a strange business, after all. People who move out of town aren't going to be repeat customers, so the service isn't necessarily like other businesses that depend on that kind of reputation. Still, longevity and experience should be admired qualities.