| By :
Wendy Moyer
Moving from one residence to another can be a very stressful experience, especially if you hire a moving company to transport and deliver your belongings. All too many people choose their moving company in a rather haphazard manner. This is bound to increase the stress levels. Read this article and discover the right way and the wrong way to choose a moving company and reduce your stress. The Wrong Way to Choose a Moving Company If, in general, you often feel pressed for time, imagine how you'll feel being responsible for moving your entire residence. A lot of people in this situation simply go through the Yellow Pages or do a brief search on the Internet and hire the first company that gives them a good sales pitch. Others simply go with a "name brand" - be it national or local and don't give it a second thought. Either of these approaches are haphazard at best and I think you'll agree that this rather random approach can subject you to a lot of potential problems. So let's take a brief look at... The Right Way to Choose a Moving Company Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with hiring a well known company to move you. But you've got to do a little bit of research before you sign on the dotted line. One of the first things you'll want to do is see if the company you want to hire is an accredited member of a trade body or a moving association. If the moving company belongs to such an organization they probably need to adhere to certain standards and guidelines. The very fact that they're a member also gives you options if you have any problems with them and will need to take action. When you interview them ask them how long they've been in business. It's preferable to hire a company with a lot of experience. Next, ask the moving company to provide referrals for satisfied customers that they've moved. You can use this question as part of your screening process. What's probably even more important than calling their references is getting a sense of whether or not the company will try to beat around the bush about even giving you references. If they don't seem keen about letting you talk to people they've moved a red flag should go up in your mind. You could very well be better off hiring someone else. Find out if they offer insurance and get their quote in writing. Read the small print. Never hire a moving company that does not have adequate insurance. Find out how many people will be assigned to move you. You'll want three people. With a three person crew one person can be in the vehicle while the other two are loading and unloading. For added security you will want someone with your possessions all the time. Once you've narrowed down your potential choices you'll then need to negotiate the prices. Companies base their charges on a variety of services and costs, so take copious notes and compare their offers after you get off the phone. Get a minimum of two to three quotes before you make your decision. Look at what they're offering for the money.
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