Hiring movers for the first time can be a bit intimidating. And for two major reasons. First, you have no idea how to find the best movers. And second, you don’t know what to expect from them. In the end, you start worrying that you may not be able to find them. Or worse, you may hire fraudulent or rogue movers that can cheat you. So, to prevent this happen, follow the steps below and find the best movers out there.

How to recognize the best movers?

Before learning how to find the best movers, you need to know what makes a professional mover good. And, the main difference between the good and the best moving companies.

The best movers will:

• have years of relocation experience
• know when the best time to relocate is
• their online reputation is excellent among their base of previous and current customers
• best movers offer services that fit your needs and your budget
• they visit your home in person and evaluate the approximate number, size, and weight of the items you plan to relocate
• when the visual in-home inspection is done, they provide you the exact moving cost estimate in writing 
• best movers give affordable rates compared to the other movers on a local and even national level
• they provide a wide range of additional moving services to finish the job quickly, safely and professionally
• best movers have staff with good knowledge of the home moving process, and necessary skills when it comes to packing and using various moving equipment
• ensure an excellent level of safety during the whole house move process
• tell you in detail what to expect from the relocation process and answer all your questions
• act professionally. They are polite, and respectful with clients, and careful when handling household items.

The better the moving company is, the more of these requirements it will fulfill. And the moving companies that meet all or almost all of the above-mentioned criteria for relocation excellence exist. Just make sure you find them.

How to find the best movers?

So, how to find the best movers? This is the first and most important question that you’ll need to answer very early in your home moving preparation. Therefore, to experience the smooth and stress-free move, here are the steps for finding and hiring the best movers.

Get recommendations

Searching for the moving companies online or phone book can be daunting. So, getting recommendations is the initial step that can save you loads of time and nerves. Try to get a referral for a moving company from your family members, friends, coworkers, and neighborhoods. Also, if you’re working with a real estate agent, ask him. Usually, the best recommendations come from the people you can trust. 

Remember the rule of threes to find the best movers

If you can’t get any recommendations from the people you trust, it’s time for you to find the best movers alone. Get in touch with movers that serve your relocation route and fill in a quick-moving quote. But, never settle for the first estimate you receive. Ask at least three different moving companies to give you an in-person estimate. Because no company can give you a precise estimate without seeing your stuff. So, don’t agree to have your moving cost estimated over the phone or via e-mail.

Recognize red flags

Watch out for red flags through the estimate. Most reputable movers won’t ask for a cash deposit before you move. But, if the potential mover seems hungry to get the money upfront, it’s a red flag. Also, watch how professional or unprofessional the movers seem, during the estimate. If they’re late, seem unsure of their abilities, or can’t answer your questions, avoid them. Plus, be cautious of any movers who show up in a rented moving van. Because every professional owns their equipment.

For finding the best movers you need to check out reviews

Usually, you don’t know anything about the moving companies that have contacted you. But, you can change that by visiting reputable movers reviews websites and reading how other people rated them. Customer reviews are very helpful and they give you a good idea of which mover to go with. So if you want to know how to have a stress-free move, you have to check out moving companies reviews.

Check out movers license and insurance

Every licensed mover has the U.S. DOT number provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. So, when moving, check the moving company’s license through the FMCSA’s protectyourmove.gov site. And for local moves, check with your local consumer affairs agency. Find a list of local agencies through the FMCSA’s contacts database.

Also, you can research the moving company’s track record with the BBB. You can do it free online. Only hire the moving companies that are BBB accredited or at least have a good rating.

Ask hard questions to find the best movers for your relocation

Sometimes you can’t decide which mover to hire. Especially if you receive a few equally attractive relocation offers in terms of price and conditions. And you need help to make the final decision. In those cases, you should get in touch with movers and ask them any questions that may be troubling you. Hopefully, their answers will help you decide.

Ask movers for a discount

If you’re still not sure how to find the best movers, ask them for a discount. In your relocation case, the best moving companies will be ones that will be willing to offer you a discount and keep you as a customer. Those companies exist, just make sure you find them.

Trust your instincts to find the best movers

Never avoid or underestimate the power of your instincts. Sometimes you may need to trust your gut feeling to pick a moving company that is the right for you. But, of course, this is not enough. The perfect combination is to follow these steps and to combine them with your instincts.