Planning a moving project is hard, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own. With all of the organization and preparation, sorting and selling, packing, heavy lifting, and so much more that goes on in a move—relocation is often a job that’s best left to the professionals.

But finding a great moving company that offers excellent services, affordable rates, and high-quality customer service isn’t always easy. Many moving companies are brand-new, and lack experience, insurance, or even a license—which can cause significant problems down the road should something happen to your belongings mid-move. There are also moving companies that advertise seriously low rates to lure customers in—and these can sometimes end up to be fraudulent companies or outright scams.

Avoiding a moving disaster is incredibly easy once you know how to evaluate your choices. At Simonik Moving & Storage, we’re dedicated to making the moving process easier for everyone—with top-rated services and outstanding customer service. We know what it takes to make a moving project a success—and how much a great moving company can influence the entire move. In this article, we’re sharing some of the most important things to look for when evaluating a moving company in order to find the best one for your project.

1.  Where to Find Recommendations

In this day and age, the internet is key. Get online and search Google for moving companies in your area, and check out what comes up on the first couple of pages. Check the ads that appear for good suggestions, but be skeptical of companies without solid, established websites, social media pages, or an internet presence that seems off or incomplete. Read online reviews—both from the company’s website and social media pages, but also third-party sites like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List to see what former customers think of the services they purchased from each company you research.

If a company does not have online reviews, or if they’re mostly negative, take it as a good sign that this isn’t a company you want to work with. The best companies will have plenty of reviews to read and a great online reputation from past customers with prior experience moving with them.

2.  Choosing Which Companies to Interview

Beyond the website and online reviews, you should also consider the company itself. How many years has the company been around, and is it affiliated with another moving company? Most of the reputable moving companies will announce their affiliations with major organizations or van lines right on their website. If you can’t find this information, pick up the phone and ask.

You’ll also want to check to see if the company is registered, licensed, and recommended by the Better Business Bureau or any other formal organizations in your area. An A+ rating from the BBB is a very good sign that the company is going to provide quality service you can trust for a smooth and enjoyable move.

3.  Evaluating the Services Offered

Check out the services that the company offers and compare them with your own needs for moving. Different companies specialize in different types of moves, from household to corporate moving, special items and equipment relocation, and many others—so it’s important to find the ones that have experience doing what you’ll eventually need them to do for you.

For example, if you’re the owner of a commercial business and looking into changing locations, find out whether the company has experience moving a commercial enterprise similar to your own. If you’re planning on taking items to a trade show, ask for their experience in trade show shipping. If you own a hotel, a hospital, a restaurant, or another type of business, find a company you can trust to handle it for you.

4.  Comparing Estimates

Choose at least three companies to interview about their services, and contact them to find out how to get an estimate. A good sign of a great moving company is one that will provide an in-home visit to your home for an evaluation and pricing estimate, free of charge. By visiting your home and getting a first-hand glimpse of what exactly your move will entail, the company representative will be able to determine exactly what your move will cost and any services that might make the job easier, smoother, and faster.

You want a company that offers custom quotes designed especially for you—taking into account the services you actually need and want. Gather the pricing estimates and evaluate what is included in each of them, making sure to read every word of the contract before you sign.

5.  Red Flags and Warning Signs

Perhaps the most obvious red flags to watch out for is an extremely low rate quoted over the phone or online. Without seeing exactly what you’re moving, it’s impossible for a moving company to determine how long your move will take, and what they’ll need to charge you. What usually happens in these cases is that people are drawn in by the cheap rates, without realizing that this is actually just a base rate. Once the move is underway, they’ll unknowingly continue to incur outrageous fees on top of the low base right for “extras” that they’ll be forced to pay once the move is finished.

Another red flag is a company that asks for a large down payment to reserve their appointment. This is a common moving scam that results in a no-show (and a loss of that down payment) on the day of the move.

Top-Rated, East Coast Moving Solutions

If you’re looking for exceptional moving services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North America, and the rest of the world, choosing Simonik Moving & Storage to help with your relocation is an easy decision. Backed by over 40 years of experience moving thousands of customers to new homes and locations all over the globe and a strong affiliation with Allied Van Lines, we have exactly what it takes to make your next relocation a success.

For more information about our company’s services, or to ask about our BBB affiliation, awards, and other accolades, give us a call to speak with us today. You can also get started by filling out our online form to request a free, no-obligation pricing estimate now.