Your belongings are very important; otherwise, you’d just leave them behind when planning a big move. As such, it is totally reasonable to drill your moving company of choice on every relevant aspect of the move that they’re conducting for you; preparation often leads to fulfilled expectation. With that, let’s get right into the most important things to find out before gracing any long distance moving company with your business.

Ascertain Your Long Distance Moving Companies Competence

This starts out with their experience: how long have they been conducting out-of-state and long distance moves? What is their record of customer satisfaction? It’s best to both ask them this and then conduct a web-based search for reviews to ascertain their honesty and compliance. This is simply the kind of due diligence you’d do when handing your personal stuff over to a stranger – licensed though he may be.

In the same vein, licensure is of paramount importance. In fact, all state-to-state moving companies must meet federal licensing requirements; the exact details of this will be up on their website and on any forms they have to show you. In fact, they should be proud to show these off even before you ask. Insurance and worker’s comp are included in the licensing requirements.

Do A Run-Down Of Their Stated Rates

Basically, find out what you’re actually paying for, point by point. This is a free market economy (for the most part) and there’s too much competition out there for you to be paying for bundled services that you’re not actually using. Find out the fuel rate, and how the cost of their service varies during the weekend and holidays. Do not overpay for any service.

How Will The Move Be Conducted?

This question is a natural corollary of the company’s competence and record of service. Will your stuff be additionally protected from transit damage? What is the range of time within which you can expect your boxes to be delivered? It even helps to know how many movers there will be, and of course, the expected duration of the total moving job.

Find Out What Equipment They Will Use

After all, your new home may be in a high-rise, and the movers will need to have experience moving furniture up stairs or limited-capacity elevators – even the heavy stuff. Indeed; some moving companies even employ subcontractors for some jobs; find out if this is the case so you will know who to contact and reference should something go wrong.

Do They Have Storage

You have to try and prepare for every eventuality, and sometimes, the home at your new destination may not be ready. If you’re delayed for a few days, even if the old owners compensate you, you need to make sure stuff will be secure in a storage facility in case you cannot be in the city when it arrives. In fact, given the “spread days” that long distance moving companies usually have, it’s quite unlikely that you’ll be there on the exact day in most cases. Ask the movers in person whether they have the facilities available, or options if not.

Long distance moving needn’t be the most stressful activity you have this year; it all starts, however, by making sure you have a capable company for the job. They’ll do the heavy lifting, which leaves you to prepare for your new life in a new city.