Moving house means finding a reliable long-distance mover to take care of the job. If you aren't sure what to look for in a moving company offering nationwide relocation services, here are the top five questions to ask.
1. Do You Have a USDOT License?
Perhaps one of the most important questions you can ask a long-distance mover is whether they are licensed to provide interstate moving services. In the United States, all moving companies who offer long-distance moving services must be registered with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and receive their USDOT license number.
2. Do You Offer Binding Estimates?
While every interstate moving company is required to offer free estimates for customers, these aren't binding estimates. If the move costs more than a mover estimates, they can ask for the difference after the move is completed. Although, most moving and storage companies do their best to provide accurate estimates.
A binding estimate is like a legal agreement between you and the mover that you will only pay the estimated price plus or minus 10 percent. There is a little bit of leeway in the final price, but your binding estimate stays close to the original quote so you won't have any surprises.
3. What Kind of Insurance Do You Offer?
Much like the requirement to offer free quotes, interstate movers are also required to offer released value protection for customers' belongings. This basic insurance coverage is included with the move, but it only provides a flat rate payment per pound for lost or damaged items. No matter how valuable your damaged item is, the recovery will only be based on the weight.
If you are looking for a better coverage option, you can ask if the mover offers full-valuation protection, which costs a small amount to purchase but covers the full market value of damaged items.
4. Do You Offer Temporary Storage?
Things happen during long-distance moves. There are delays, bad weather, and your new home may not be ready when you have to move out of the old place. In these cases, it's common for residential movers to offer temporary storage in one of their local warehouses. You can usually arrange long-term storage well ahead of a move in their warehouse too.
5. What Won't You Transport for Me?
It's always a good idea to find out what items a long-distance mover won't transport to another location. Most moving companies have a list of no-nos, especially things that are illegal to transport, like chemicals and live animals, without special permits.
Find out ahead of time what the movers will relocate for you, and if you want to move one of these things you'll be able to make other arrangements before it becomes a problem on moving day.
Learn More About a Free Long-Distance Moving Quote in Sioux Falls, SD
Relocating with an experienced, licensed long-distance mover is as easy as reaching out to Brouwer Relocation, Inc. We're a BBB-accredited and A-rated moving and storage company in the Sioux Falls area. Our team can help you with long-distance moves, commercial and residential moves, specialized moving, logistics, and storage.
To learn more, give us a call or fill out our online form. We'll provide a free moving estimate for you right away.
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