What to Look For In A Jersey City Moving Company

When preparing for a move, there are many things you have to take into consideration before you move. In addition to deciding what to pack and actual packing, you will have to settle on a Jersey City moving company that you want to hire. There are several Jersey City movers available and you may feel lost when going about deciding on which one to choose.

Benefits of Hiring a Local New Jersey Moving Company

Hiring movers will definitely ease the amount of work you have to do yourself. It also brings some order and professionalism in the way things are carried out during the move as these Jersey City movers have had years of experience in the field. What more, if you are looking to save the time taken for your move, you’ll find it faster to hire a Jersey City moving company.

The Most Common Moving Technique Causing Frustration

Most People are wary of asking friends and family for help while moving. Even though this would be the cheaper option, it has its cons. Your move will probably experience more hiccups than it should have and become a breeding ground for misunderstandings and frustrations.

You have to be able to choose a Jersey City moving company that you trust and is well worth your money. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing a moving company:

1. Ask for Moving Company Recommendations From Friends and Family

If this is your first major move, you probably don’t have experience handling movers. Ask your friends and family for recommendations of great moving companies. Ask about their specific experiences with their moving companies.

Top ratings on google do not always tally with reality. You may find that someone you know had a bad experience with an otherwise highly-rated moving company and another had a smooth experience with a smaller, relatively new company. These smaller companies sometimes go out of their way to provide you with great service to show you that they can play in the big leagues with the larger Jersey City movers.

2. Go to the Company Website in Detail

After you have a few options to choose from, go to the mover’s online sites. Try and get reviews about the different companies by reading what previous clients have written about their experiences. You can find ratings on their social media sites and reviews on their website. Your research may unveil something that you hadn’t even thought about. If the company’s online presence is not as pronounced, give them a call. Sometimes, you can get the feel of a company by simply speaking to a representative of the moving company.

3. Check Licensing and Insurance Information

It goes without saying that you should never use a moving company that is not licensed and insured. It’s very easy for anyone to just buy a truck and call themselves a moving company, but only those who have official licenses are legally bound to protect your property. For movers who operate interstate, they are required to have a unique USDOT number. This is a number given to them after they register with the Department of Transportation.

You can confirm that a company has this number as well as insurance by searching through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. Regulations governing intrastate Jersey City movers are on a state-by-state basis. Most states have licensing requirements as well. Do your research on intrastate moving laws and verify that your moving company abides by them. Go through various moving company directories that you can find online or try the American Moving and Storage Association’s Pro-Movers list.

4. Does the Company Have Transparent Rates?

There’s something about companies who can’t give a rough estimate of their rates that doesn’t sit right with us. When you contact a Jersey City mover to book service, they should be able to give you a rate based on the number of movers required and man-hours used during the move. However, you should keep in mind that this is a base rate and does not include incidentals such as extra packaging material, or higher rates when dealing with large, heavy objects.

It’s impossible for a moving company to give an estimate set in stone on the phone but you can get a general idea of how much you will spend. If the moving company is not forthcoming with this information, move on to the next one. It would also be good for you to find out what constitutes an extra fee so you can see how to minimize your costs.

5. Find a Mover That Fits Your Individual Needs

There are no two same moves. Whether you are moving from a small, shared studio apartment or a mansion, you should find out if the moving company can accommodate all of your things. Sometimes, what’s good for the goose is not good for the gander. Determine whether particular moving companies meet your individual needs such as:

• Does the company have the right size moving truck that can accommodate all your boxes and furniture and abide by the physical constraints of your property?
• Can the company provide additional packaging if required? This includes things like boxes, bubble wrap, moving blankets.
• Is the company available on the exact date that you are planning to move? They should be able to provide pick-up and delivery times that are convenient for you.

6. Beware of Moving Company Conmen

The number of people who experience moving company fraud is just a small percentage, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot fall into the same problem. Check that the moving company’s license is recent and that they have a valid physical address. Be wary of any mover that asks for a large deposit, especially if what they are asking for is more than 20% of the total cost.

You don’t want a scenario where a moving company runs off with your deposit without doing any work, or even worse, disappears with all your belongings. For more tips, visit the Federal Motor Carry Safety Administration who will make sure that you are a legitimate moving company.

Also when comparing Moving Estimates, make sure to compare both hours and rates per hour for local moves, and beware of companies with a very low number of hours and a high hourly rate, as it is very likely you will end up paying much more for your move with them, versus what was originally quoted.

Remember That Each Moving Company is a Business

Moving companies are in business, therefore remember that at the end of the day, they are there to make a profit. Find a moving company that cares about satisfying your individual needs and not just the bottom line. There is a lot of competition out there, with many players in the field.

Try and get 2-3 Estimates so that you can better compare the individual estimates. Be wary of any company that comes considerably lower in cost than all the others or seems to have unrealistic promises. That said, it does not necessarily mean that the more expensive the mover, the better they are.

Staying on Top of The Details

On moving day, try to be on top of things. Get a written copy of the mover’s inventory list. Provide specific, accurate directions for getting to your new home. Make sure you have a phone number for someone on-the-ground so you can follow up with them in case of anything during the move.

Don’t let this period be a stressful one because you are starting a new chapter in your life which should not be marred by unnecessary disagreements.

Ready to Partner With a Local, Jersey City Moving Company?

Alpha Moving & Storage is the perfect moving partner for your next local or long-distance move. With years of service and a dedicated moving team, you can rest assured that your move will go off without a hitch. Contact us today to book your move today!