Choosing a reliable commercial mover can be a big challenge. In 2021, over 932 hostage load complaints were filed with the DOT—and most of them were about moving companies not delivering customers’ belongings or not disclosing where the goods were located. Besides, there were other complaints of moving companies delivering damaged goods, failing to honor the estimates agreed on and charging clients for non-worked time.
This is an indication of how stressful commercial moving can be. Now, to avoid this, it’s important to follow your due process when choosing a commercial mover. Please note that this might take some time, but it can save you a lot of stress in the long run. With that said, the following are the top tips on how to choose a reliable commercial mover.
Consider Your Budget
To know how much you need to spend on your move, you must consider when you need to move, what needs to be moved, and the type of moving services you need. You will be ready to outline your total moving costs with these details. Also, don’t forget to factor in the closing costs (if you are moving into a new home) and the realtor fees.
Choose a Mover That Can Meet Your Expenses
Your mover should be able to accomplish all your needs for your move. Before choosing a commercial mover, research and talk to their past customers. You can also read reviews on the company and ask them many questions regarding service quality and guarantee information. This way, you will know whether they will meet your expectations or not before hiring them. Not only that, it allows you to negotiate for more reasonable rates with reliability services if such is available—which means less stress.
Get at Least Three Estimates from Commercial Movers
There are many commercial movers in the market today, tempting you to choose just one due to time constraints and budget constraints. However, you must be aware that some charges might appear very minimal—but they could add up exponentially on your bottom line if you only get one estimate. For instance, a $500 fee for fuel is nothing compared to a $10,000 move (which means it would be considered 20% of your total moving cost).
To avoid this problem, ask more than three commercial movers for estimates and compare them with each other to get the best rates. This way, you will know which company is proposing the best deal for your needs.
Check Commercial Mover’s Insurance Coverage and Bonding
Commercial movers must have at least $0.60 per pound of transport goods. They should also provide CMR (Carrier’s Bill of Lading) to all their clients so they can file claims if necessary. Additional coverage that some companies offer is transit insurance—this covers up to 3rd-party property damage (100 cents per pound). However, it does not cover personal property damage or loss; this means buyers are on their own when it comes to filing claims against the mover’s insurance provider. It is therefore wise to find out if the moving company has this type of insurance coverage, so you can avoid claims in case your item is damaged or lost during transit.
A commercial mover should also be bonded. This means that it will not experience problems with its clients because they are insured against any damage or loss for their client’s property. However, to be sure about this part, you must ask for proof of insurance and check to see whether everything matches what their current website states regarding liability limits.
Get Commercial Moving Quotes from More than One Mover
Remember to get quotes from at least three commercial movers since each company might estimate differently depending on the weight, size, and quantity of items in the shipment—and different companies use different practices when estimating. Also, you can learn more about their pricing if they are willing to share it with you.
Do Not Be Rushed When Hiring Commercial Movers
According to the professional movers from Torex Moving, a commercial moving company, you should also consider the type of moving service that each commercial mover offers since this is an important factor in how much you will spend on your move. It is best to choose a company that offers full-service packing and crating for both residential and commercial moves; this way, you do not have to worry about anything when planning your moving day. Keep in mind that hiring movers who offer these services will surely make your life much easier because experts will pack all items—not only does this help avoid damage or loss (if you pack the items yourself), but it will also save you time because you can plan your move more efficiently.
When hiring commercial movers, never rush the process. It is important to take your time in checking how much they will charge, their insurance coverage and bonding status, available services—and even whether or not they are reliable! The more information you have beforehand, the easier it will be for you to choose a company that matches all of your needs without causing further future problems.
Consider Your Personal Preferences When Hiring Commercial Movers
Other factors that might affect which mover you choose may include personal preferences such as: selecting a local or long distance moving service (either threshold or inside delivery); selecting the size of truck needed for your move; choosing whether or not to get packing supplies from your mover; etc. You need to consider these factors before making your decision.
