Homeowners planning a residential move in 2025 should take extra steps to ensure they find the best moving companies in their area. Movers are supposed to make the experience hassle-free, but if you're working with an inexperienced, unethical, or even fraudulent company, your relocation will probably be anything but.
Courtesy Moving and Storage, a well-reviewed moving company in the Fresno area, has been in business since the 1970's and believes strongly in alerting customers to the red flags to be on the lookout for and smart questions to ask movers ahead of hiring them. Below you'll find some of our best moving tips for spotting legitimate and customer-centric moving companies and how to steer clear of the ones that can't provide the type of customer care and expert service you deserve.
Are They a Licensed and Credible Mover?
First and foremost, on a relocation checklist, homeowners will want to double-check the legitimacy of any potential moving company they hire. This means that you aren't just working with a couple guys who own a truck—you're looking for professional movers.
Right off the bat, legitimate moving and storage companies should offer up their license number and insurance information or at least be able to present it straight away upon request.
If you're planning a state-to-state relocation in 2025, you'll have a few extra pieces to confirm with a potential mover. Interstate moving companies must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have an official US Department of Transportation number on top of regular licensing and insurance.
What Sort of Reputation Do They Have?
Once you've established that a moving company is legitimate, you'll want to find out how honest and ethical their business practices are. Most people wouldn't ask a local moving company this question because any company, fraudulent or not, would probably defend their practices.
Instead, ask a mover if they're affiliated with the American Trucking Association's Moving and Storage Conference. The ProMover program developed by the ATA MSC discerns ethical, honest, and trustworthy businesses from "rogue" movers through the high standards for certification and membership.
Other ways to get a feel for the reputation of a moving and storage company include:
- BBB Accreditation or Rating
- Zero Complaints Against Mover on FMCSA Website
- ProMover Status with the California Moving and Storage Association (Or Other State-Level Organization)
- Affiliations with Well-Known Moving Organizations Like United Van Lines or North American Van Lines
- Large Number of Positive Reviews on the Company's Website
Do They Have the Experience You Need?
When calling around to moving and storage companies, you'll want to ask a few questions to gauge their level of experience with the type of relocation you have coming up. A local moving company may provide efficient local moves, but if they've never executed a long-distance relocation, there's bound to be a few hiccups along the way.
Think about some of the specialty services you're wanting to enlist as well, because not every company will provide the exact same solutions. Some specialty services you may want to inquire about include:
- Professional Padding Along Floors, Doorways and Bannisters
- Third-Party Logistics Like Furniture Assembly and Disassembly
- Piano, Vehicle or Other Large Item Shipping
- Long and Short-Term Storage Availability
Do Their Prices Make Sense for You and the Area?
Finally, homeowners planning all sorts of relocations, anywhere from local to long-distance, studio apartment to three-story household, want to make sure they are getting an honest and fair price. The easiest way to do this is to call at least three different local movers. Calling around to multiple businesses will give you an idea of what an expected price range will be for your area and ensure you're getting cost-effective service.
Courtesy Moving and Storage maintains our ProMover status with both the ATA MSC and the CMSA because we're dedicated to offering honest, reliable, and affordable services to our valued customers. And as longtime agents of Wheaton World Wide Moving, we're part of a strong international moving and storage network that will allow us to seamlessly relocate you anywhere you need to go, including international moves.
Reach out to Courtesy Moving and Storage today to receive a free moving estimate and hear more about the specific services we can provide you for a simple, stress-free move.
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