Finding professional, trusted Palo Alto movers can feel pretty overwhelming. From licensure to reputability to customers reviews, there’s a lot to consider! With a little focused and organized research, you could save some money, avoid scams and find the perfect professional movers for your needs. Here are 6 surefire tips for researching movers in Palo Alto.
It’s important to get several opinions before making a decision. This company will be moving your personal belongings after all, so it’s best to be confident you’ve made the right choice. Take a look at Yelp! reviews, as well as testimonials from the the website of the companies that you’re looking into. Get in the ear of local real estate agents, friends and coworkers too.
Do not rely on online services to find estimates. It is best to get in-person estimates from each moving company. Once you have a list of 4 or 5 recommended options, you can weed out movers based on the way they provide estimates. Don’t rely on someone who is giving an estimate without seeing your house, there’s no way of getting a proper estimate that way. Make sure to get estimates from a few companies, big corporations and the little guys too. You never know who will have the best offer.
If you are moving to another state, ask for a bind estimate or binding-not-to-exceed estimate. These estimates limit the amount you can be charged. For moves within the state of California, movers are required to provide a signed binding estimate. Unlike non-binding estimates, movers can charge you for a binding estimate, though most movers give it to you for free.
Head over to the Better Business Bureau and get a quick background check on each company. You can also contact the American Moving and Storage Association to see if they are a member. While it is not necessary for a moving company to be a member of AMSA, it certainly speaks to their professionalism. For more in-depth background checks, the Better Business Bureau also has a scam tracker on their website.
When it comes time for your in-house estimate, make sure to show the movers absolutely everything that is moving with you. Show them the closets, the garage, the backyard, the attic, the basement, and every corner of the house.
It is also crucial to show the movers any areas that might complicate things on moving day: tight corners, grand pianos, stairs, or antique furniture. This will remove any possibility for movers to increase the estimate on move in day. While you’re at it, find out as much as possible about the logistics of the move:
Is the company physically moving you or will they be contracting that work out (opt for a company that is doing it itself)?
Do you have the full name and contact information of movers, including references?
License information (USDOT)
Moving guide pamphlets (Movers are required by law to provide you with something).
Now that you have your bids, it’s time to compare. Be skeptical of super cheap bids, but don’t assume the highest bid is the best value either. Look for hidden fees and don’t hesitate to call the company if you have any questions. If a company doesn’t want to answer a question, or keeps handing you off to someone else to speak to, cross them off the list. If you have a few bidders around the same price, go ahead and negotiate prices. Palo Alto movers are familiar with negotiations because the competition is so high. It’s called an estimate for a reason.
Once you select the right moving company for you, double check to make sure they have all of the licensure necessary to move you. This includes the U.S. Department of Transportation license. Search the company’s USDOT number and check the following important information:
The names on this document should be the same as the names the company gave you.
The truck to moves per month ratio should be realistic (it’s not likely a company owns 2 trucks and does 150 moves per month).
They should be authorized for hire.
They must have bodily-injury and property damage insurance (BIPD).
The safety reviews must be “satisfactory” or better.
Congratulations on your decision to move, we hope this information from Palo Alto movers at Moving Forward was helpful for you.
Get Recommendations
It’s important to get several opinions before making a decision. This company will be moving your personal belongings after all, so it’s best to be confident you’ve made the right choice. Take a look at Yelp! reviews, as well as testimonials from the the website of the companies that you’re looking into. Get in the ear of local real estate agents, friends and coworkers too.
Get Your Estimate In Person
Do not rely on online services to find estimates. It is best to get in-person estimates from each moving company. Once you have a list of 4 or 5 recommended options, you can weed out movers based on the way they provide estimates. Don’t rely on someone who is giving an estimate without seeing your house, there’s no way of getting a proper estimate that way. Make sure to get estimates from a few companies, big corporations and the little guys too. You never know who will have the best offer.
If you are moving to another state, ask for a bind estimate or binding-not-to-exceed estimate. These estimates limit the amount you can be charged. For moves within the state of California, movers are required to provide a signed binding estimate. Unlike non-binding estimates, movers can charge you for a binding estimate, though most movers give it to you for free.
Do A Background Check
Head over to the Better Business Bureau and get a quick background check on each company. You can also contact the American Moving and Storage Association to see if they are a member. While it is not necessary for a moving company to be a member of AMSA, it certainly speaks to their professionalism. For more in-depth background checks, the Better Business Bureau also has a scam tracker on their website.
Be Thorough
When it comes time for your in-house estimate, make sure to show the movers absolutely everything that is moving with you. Show them the closets, the garage, the backyard, the attic, the basement, and every corner of the house.
It is also crucial to show the movers any areas that might complicate things on moving day: tight corners, grand pianos, stairs, or antique furniture. This will remove any possibility for movers to increase the estimate on move in day. While you’re at it, find out as much as possible about the logistics of the move:
Is the company physically moving you or will they be contracting that work out (opt for a company that is doing it itself)?
Do you have the full name and contact information of movers, including references?
License information (USDOT)
Moving guide pamphlets (Movers are required by law to provide you with something).
Compare Bids
Now that you have your bids, it’s time to compare. Be skeptical of super cheap bids, but don’t assume the highest bid is the best value either. Look for hidden fees and don’t hesitate to call the company if you have any questions. If a company doesn’t want to answer a question, or keeps handing you off to someone else to speak to, cross them off the list. If you have a few bidders around the same price, go ahead and negotiate prices. Palo Alto movers are familiar with negotiations because the competition is so high. It’s called an estimate for a reason.
Double Check Licensure
Once you select the right moving company for you, double check to make sure they have all of the licensure necessary to move you. This includes the U.S. Department of Transportation license. Search the company’s USDOT number and check the following important information:
The names on this document should be the same as the names the company gave you.
The truck to moves per month ratio should be realistic (it’s not likely a company owns 2 trucks and does 150 moves per month).
They should be authorized for hire.
They must have bodily-injury and property damage insurance (BIPD).
The safety reviews must be “satisfactory” or better.
Congratulations on your decision to move, we hope this information from Palo Alto movers at Moving Forward was helpful for you.
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