Choosing your movers can be a tricky thing. Doing your home work, performing background checks, calling up references are the first part of finding the perfect moving company. However, after you’ve come up with your shortlist, you’ll have to give them the third degree, to find out which one is the best. Here are some of the questions you should ask moving companies before you hire them:

Are you a mover or a broker?
If you did your research on the Internet, you should definitely ask this question. Moving brokers are those companies who take your business and sell off to other movers. You’ll have no control over who shows up on your doorstep, and you may be charged a different amount from the price you agreed on. Make sure to deal only with the actual moving companies, and not brokers who well auction off your move to the lowest bidder.

How long have you been in business?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. If they’ve been around for a long time, then that’s a positive indication that they are professionals. Unscrupulous moving companies change their business names every few years, especially if they’ve had numerous complaints filed at the BBB. If you have an estimator coming into your home, also ask how long he/she been doing estimates. You may want to ask for a more seasoned professional for more accurate estimates.

Do you have any repeat clients?
It’s not enough to ask for references, because, of course, companies will give you good references. Ask the moving company if they’ve done any repeat business for corporate or professional clients. Those who specialize in home moving might not have any such clients, but it’s worth a try.

What are my pricing options?
What you’ll get out of this question is not so much what exactly the options are, but you’ll get to see how knowledgeable your moving company is. See if they’ll take the time to explain everything to you and answer your questions. If you do your own research, you can ask a question you may already know the answer to, just to test if they know what they’re talking about or just telling you what you want to hear.

Do you carry worker’s comp?
Reputable moving companies should pay their worker’s compensation for all workers who may be injured on the job, otherwise, you may be liable for any injury sustained. Also, a good company will hire only full-time workers who would qualify for such insurance.

Are you a member of any moving associations?
Interstate movers  can join the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) or any local moving associations for in-state movers. Being a member of such a group can often indicate a willingness to adhere to certain standards. Also, membership in AMSA requires a moving company to submit to arbitration, should any conflicts occur with a customer.

What type of moving equipment/packing materials will you be using?
All of their moving equipment should be in good condition and able to handle your move. Be wary of trucks that look dilapidated and worn out. Ask what special packing supplies they will use to keep your breakables safe and your home clean (such as padding and furniture sliders to keep them from scratching surfaces).

What are the extra charges?

As detailed in an earlier post, you may want to clear what extra fees you can expect and how you can avoid them.

Why is your quote higher/lower than your competitors?
It’s definitely good to ask a company why their estimates are higher or lower – are there additional fees on top of the cost? Do they use day laborers instead of full-time workers? Do they use good packing materials and are their trucks in good condition?

Is there a way to track my stuff?
How does the company keep track your belongings on the way to your new home, especially in cases of long distance moves? Do they have aGPS tracking, or at the very least, are the drivers in constant comminucation with the office? If you know that there was someway to do this, then you probably wouldn’t have to do what this guy did – he bought an iPhone, placed it in a moving box and tracked the van as it made its way from Chicago to California. Of course, the good thing is he was able to find out that the movers were coming early and able to anticipate it – saving himself the touble of being charged idle time or storage fees.

What happens if something breaks?
What’s the process to make a claim and who is the exact person to call (and their contact number) should any of your items get damaged? This will save you time later on and avoid any run-around the moving company may give you later on.

What does the insurance cover?
They should be able to explain to you in detail, what the types of insurance they have and what the premiums cover. If you haven’t read our earlier article about this, so you’ll know what to expect.

How long do I have to change my moving date?
Hopefully, you’re all set to go, but if an emergency comes up and you have to change moving dates, how much time do you have to give them? Be aware, that in the busiest time (summer), it may be difficult to make any schedule changes.