Thanks to the existence of movers, relocation has become easier than ever. A move that could take you weeks to finish can be completed in a day or two with professional help. However, movers can be expensive, especially in a high-priced city like Austin, Texas. To help you make a decision you won’t regret, here are five things you should know before hiring a moving company in the City of the Violet Crown.
1. It’s Worth Getting Quotes from Multiple Companies
Going with the first company to provide you with an offer might seem convenient, especially when you’re in a rush. But honestly, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not exploring your options. Austin boasts dozens of moving companies that you can choose from. It won’t hurt to exert a little effort by calling at least three and comparing their quotes. Make sure you weigh the prices with the services offered and see if it’s justifiable for your budget.
2. Check the Company’s Reputation
In a world filled with deceit, reputation is the king. You want to work with movers whom you can trust − not only with the transparency of pricing and procedure but also with the quality of service. There are many ways to inspect. Start by asking for recommendations from family or friends. It’s also worth taking a look at your potential company’s website. Does it look professional? Evaluate their online presence. Read reviews on Yelp or Google. How long have they been in business? The more experience the company has, the more trustworthy and reliable they’re going to be.
3. Ask for Credentials
Online reviews will not be enough to solidify a company’s credibility. To ensure security, you’ll want to see legal credentials. Request for evidence that they are authorized to perform moves, such as:
- USDOT Number: This is the highest form of credential your potential movers can present. The Department of Transportation controls DOT numbers, so there’s no way rogue movers can fake it. You can check your moving company’s number in the FMCSA search tool.
- BBB Accreditation: As a non-profit organization, the Better Business Bureau aims to expose fraudulent moving companies. Getting accredited by the BBB means a company sports a clean record.
- ProMover Title: Although it’s not as prominent as BBB, American Moving & Storage Association’s ProMover protection program is just as credible. If your potential company can show you this, it means they’ve met high safety and professionalism standards.
Keep in mind that your movers don’t necessarily need to provide all three of these credentials. Even the USDOT number should be more than enough to establish their credibility.
4. Mind the Price
Like everyone else, you’ll want to reduce your moving costs as much as possible. Good news! Finding affordable movers isn’t difficult. However, coming across a discount moving company that is reliable will be a bit of a challenge. Most established movers will reasonably ramp up their rates in exchange for security and efficiency. If you can afford them, then why not?
On the other hand, be careful about some movers who offer super cheap or too good to be true prices. They could skimp on the service quality or worse, come after you with hidden charges. The key to countering this is doing your research.
5. Don’t Afraid to Ask Questions
People say curiosity kills the cat but not in this case. Asking questions will save you time and money. If you’ve got a concern regarding your move, talk to your movers about it. You’re the boss for this operation, after all. Additionally, raising questions also benefits your movers. How? Because it makes the work less tedious for them since they know what your expectations are. Communication guarantees a win-win for both parties.
Additional Tips When Moving to Austin
Since the above tackle mostly about the process of hiring a moving company, here are more general tips when relocating to ATX:
- If you’re moving with pets, don’t forget to secure copies of their medical records from the veterinarian.
- Downtown is the most expensive part of the city. Neighborhoods tend to get cheaper as you move further from the place, so you might want to check into those.
- You might want to secure a residential parking permit for your movers in advance to help avoid delays and fines.
- Moving in from the north? Don’t underestimate the Texas heat. Make sure to set up your home’s air-conditioning and insulation before settling in.
- Finally, brace yourself for the Austin traffic. Major bottlenecks to avoid include Interstate 35, the Mopac Expressway, the Capitol, and the area around the University of Texas campus.
And that’s about it! Now that you’ve already well informed about the hiring process, you should be confident in looking for one.