When you look at the entire relocation process – packing, loading, transporting, and arranging – you’ll soon realize that hiring a professional moving company will make your transition much easier. This is especially true for a city as congested as the Big Apple, where you’ll have to deal with the crowded streets, narrow apartments, and old buildings with no elevators. While professional movers can be expensive, the benefits they offer far outweigh the costs. However, you have to make sure that you can trust your moving company or else you’ll risk losing money on bad moving services.
If you’re unsure about your potential hire, here’s how you can check to see if your NYC mover is legit.
Ask for their Credentials
Hiring a moving company is an investment. You want to be sure it will show up as promised, is properly insured, and, most importantly, that its crew has the knowledge and expertise to move your stuff safely. The best way to guarantee all this is by checking the mover’s license. It’ll serve as solid proof that they’re legally allowed to run a moving business.
For the most part, you only need one thing from your movers: their NYDOT number. It’s the ultimate proof they are running a legitimate company. See, this number is given only to companies that have complied with the strict requirements of the New York Commissioner of Transportation. To check your company’s DOT number, you can call the Commissioner’s office at (518) 457-6512 or send an email to nymoving@dot.ny.gov.
Read Reviews Online
Thousands of stories out there speak of movers neglecting, losing, or even damaging clients’ belongings during a move. You’ll also hear about minor complaints like showing up late or leaving a mess after everything’s done. That’s why you should never underestimate the power of research.
Many companies claim to provide the best service you can ever ask for. But how do you know you’ll get what you paid for? The best way to ensure you’re getting top-quality service is by reading online reviews. The experiences and complaints of others can help you determine whether or not a company is worth hiring.
Don’t you think other people’s opinions regarding the company matter?
Evaluate their Online Presence
A company’s website tells a lot about its behavior and professionalism. Make sure to visit your potential mover’s site and evaluate the content. Doing so helps you decide if the movers are legit through its presentation. Rogue movers often don’t have websites or have poorly-written ones. Exploring the site also gives you an idea of how the company operates and how smoothly your move will go.
On top of that, you can find out whether or not the movers have anything to hide. Just don’t put too much trust in the testimonials, though. They can easily be faked. It’s better to check reviews or recommendations from actual people.
Time to show off those ninja research skills!
Ask the Right Questions
When it comes to hiring a moving company, people tend to focus on price. However, there’s more to a move than just the costs. You also need to learn about your potential company’s workflow, vision, reputation, and service quality. This is why it’s so important to interview your moving company in advance.
Over the years, it’s been proven that people who take time to research and ask the right questions before signing a contract end up having a much better moving experience. That said, here are some questions to ask your moving company.
- How long have you been in the moving industry?
- What are your experiences regarding the type of moves similar to mine?
- How well do you know NYC and its ins and outs?
- I have a specific service in mind. Can you complete it?
- What type of liability coverage do you provide?
Observe the movers’ response to these questions. You can tell if they’re legit if they can answer each one confidently in addition to your other specific concerns.
Push For An In-Home Estimate for a Long-Distance Move
Rogue movers don’t care about your move at all. They’re only in for the money. That’s why most of them will name you a price over the phone without even looking at your home. Make sure you get an in-home estimate so you can gauge your movers’ behavior, especially if you’re planning an expensive long-distance move. However, scammers have become more cunning nowadays. Rogue movers will now also make the effort of visiting your home and fake an evaluation. If the company representative suspiciously gives you a price without even asking questions or scrutinizing your stuff, chances are it’s a company you’ll want to avoid at all costs.
For local moves, most NYC moving companies charge by the hour and can usually provide a fairly accurate estimate over the phone based on the number of bedrooms you’re moving.
Carefully review documents before you sign.
Observe The Company’s Professionalism
Actions speak louder than words. The way your movers approach you is a major indicator of their overall attitude towards work. Do they show up on time to do an estimate? Are they polite and friendly over the phone? Do they provide you additional documents to put your mind at ease? The bottom line is, every legit moving company operates with an aura of professionalism and enthusiasm. Be mindful and observe.