Try These Tips When Hiring Local Movers

Ideally, you should have a more effortless experience moving locally than moving across the country. However, your moving experience’s quality will largely depend on the local mover you choose to hire. While San Diego is a vast city abundant with moving companies, this variety of options can make hiring a local mover quite overwhelming.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the sea of local movers and settle on the right one.

1. Ask for Referrals from Family and Friends in San Diego

If you are fortunate enough to have family and friends in San Diego with positive moving experiences, ask them for referrals. Your family and friends may recommend an exceptional local mover who they have worked with before, and advise you on the moving companies to avoid.

Asking for referrals is one of the best ways to make sure the company you are looking at is trustworthy.

2. Check the Online Reviews of Potential Local Movers

Excellent customer reviews and testimonials are a credible source of social proof that a potential local mover can handle the job professionally. Check the reputation of prospective local movers to filter out the less competent companies and avoid future disappointments, e.g., inflated costs and damaged property.

Online reviews give you a glimpse of other people’s experiences.

3. Get Quotes from Multiple Moving Companies

Despite being overlooked by many movers, getting quotes from multiple moving companies can help you find the best value for your money. Informing the moving companies that you are scouting for the best deal can help you land discounts.

To get a better sense of their professionalism, ask different companies if their estimators can visit your home for evaluation. A professional estimator should create an inventory of all the items you wish to move and generate a quote based on your items’ weight and volume estimates. When shopping around for quotes, give higher priority to movers located in San Diego.

4. Watch out for Companies That Practice Name-Switching

Consider it a huge red flag if you encounter a moving company with a different name to the one listed on its paperwork header. Usually, moving companies that use multiple names have something to hide. If you have any suspicions of shady business practices by a moving company after discovering a potential name-switch, look up their license numbers (both federal and state). California movers are regulated by the state’s Bureau of Household Goods and Services. You can easily look up a company’s licensing information online here.

You can determine whether customers have reported them for questionable business practices by calling The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can also refer to the Better Business Bureau if you have sufficient reasons to suspect the company.

5. Request a Contract with Reputable Estimate Terms

To ensure you pay exactly or close to the amount estimated in the moving inventory, ensure your contract comes with either of these estimate terms.

• Binding

These terms imply that you will only pay for the estimated amount. Should you request any additional services, then you will have to pay extra for them.

• Nonbinding

These estimate terms ensure that you do not pay more than 10% over the estimated amount.

• Nonbinding to Exceed

These terms are flexible in the sense that you will not have to pay anything above the estimated amount. However, you will have to pay extra if the actual costs are lower than the estimates.

To be more secure, get a contract with estimates.