With plenty of moving services, how can you choose the best moving company in Santa Cruz? If you’re planning to relocate to a new home or office, we’ve listed some factors to consider when choosing a professional mover.
The first thing to check is the credibility and experience of the moving company. Check if they are a registered business in the city. Also to feel safer make sure they are fully licensed and insured movers in Santa Cruz.
Relocating is stressful. It involves packing many kinds of stuff, furniture, and unpacking once you get to your destination. Thus, it is beneficial if you get help from professional movers to lessen the burden of relocating. But it is crucial to screen potential moving companies to avoid future issues.
13 Steps To Choose A Moving Company in Santa Cruz
Hiring a quality moving company is a must, and there’s no excuse for it. Otherwise, your relocation might get compromised, delayed, or your fragile furniture gets destroyed. But even with so many seamless moving companies, there are frauds and poor practices involved. Therefore, it is in your best interests to be aware of every stage of the procedure. So, here are the steps to choose the best moving company in Santa Cruz.
1.Ask and Get Referrals
It might be intimidating to look for moving companies on the internet. But it is one of the most common and effective methods of searching. You can always ask your friends, relatives, and coworkers for recommendations for the best moving company in Santa Cruz. You can then do your research online, check out reviews or even ask them if they could provide a reference.
2.Beware of the Rule of Threes
Don’t just take the first estimate you get either in person or through a phone call. Instead, request estimates from at least three different moving businesses. It’s because no company can truly offer you an accurate cost without viewing and cataloging your belongings. Plus, you can see which moving company would give you the best offer for your budget.
3.Watch Out for Red Flags
During the estimation, keep an eye out for red flags. You need to know that most respectable moving companies do not ask for a cash deposit before your relocation. It may not be a legitimate service if the mover appears to be desperate to receive the money upfront.
Also, take notice of how professional or unprofessional the movers appear during the estimate. Look for another business if they look unprofessional, seem doubtful of their movers, or can’t answer your queries. Avoid any mover that would arrive in a leased truck. It’s because professional moving companies often have their equipment.
4.Get a Thorough Walk-Through
An estimator who conducts a fast walk-through without noting what you want to relocate is likely to be off the mark. A reputable estimator would inquire about the items you intend to transport from your current residence to your new one. So be ready to inform the estimator of which goods you don’t want on the truck—those you want to throw away, donate to a charity, sell at a yard sale, or leave behind for the new owners.
5.Choose Licensed and Insured Movers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation assigns a U.S. DOT number to licensed interstate movers. So if you’re relocating out of state, check the licensing on the FMCSA’s website and ask for the company’s U.S. DOT number.
You’ll need it if you have to submit a claim later. If you plan on staying in the state, contact your local consumer affairs office. Through the FMCSA’s contacts database, you may obtain a list of local agencies. Never settle for a moving company in Santa Cruz that is not licensed and insured.
6.Check the Moving Company with Better Business Bureau
Investigate the moving company’s track record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which you can do for free online. If there are some claims against that moving company on the BBB website that are unresolved, this can be a big red flag.
7. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask About Professional Accreditation
For example, look for a moving business with the ProMover emblem from the American Moving and Storage Association. You may also use the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to look for approved moving companies.
8.Verify the Mover’s Address
Request a business card or visit the mover’s website to check its services, history, and other essential information you need to know. Then, search up the stated address in the phonebook or online. Next, determine if the moving company has a recorded and registered address under the company’s name.
9.Avoid Moving Companies With A Name Switch
First, check local directories to see if they are on Yelp or Google my business as well as information on licensing and insurance. Next, determine whether the firm operates under any other names and their state and federal licensing numbers. Finally, look up the company’s name on BBB to check if there are any complaints.
10.Avoid Packing Costs and Beware of Extra Fees
The mover is usually not responsible for damage to your items if you pack them yourself. However, suppose you let the mover pack your belongings. In that case, you may end up paying more for boxes and packing materials, not to mention time and effort. If you opt to have the movers put your stuff in the boxes, inquire about their experience of packing. Most packers are cautious, but you want to avoid hiring someone who throws everything they can into a box and then closes it without consideration for breaking.
Do you reside in or plan to move into a two-story home? Are you relocating to or from a tenth-floor apartment? If that’s the case, you’ll certainly be charged extra for the movers’ time spent moving your stuff to stairwells and elevators. In addition, the relocation of your items to a smaller vehicle for delivery will incur a fee. Make sure to inquire about any additional charges that may apply to your circumstances.
11.Avoid Signing A Blank Moving Contract
Make a written record of everything. It includes your pick-up and delivery dates, as well as the mover’s estimate and any additional expenses. Check your contract for a list of all of your things. You won’t be able to claim something that isn’t on the inventory list.
12.Report Any Problems
Report any issues encountered with the moving company, and file an insurance claim whenever needed. So you’re out of luck if you open boxes a year later and find shards of glass. Once you’ve arrived at your new home or office, open and go through each box to look for any damage. Before signing the bill, make a note of any issues on the mover’s copy.
13.Moving Insurance and Valuation Protection
All moving firms must accept responsibility for the value of the items they carry. It would help if you got informed of the applicable fees and the degree of protection given for the services that you purchased.
Here are some more apartment moving tips.
How Early Should You Book a Moving Company?
You can book a moving company in Santa Cruz at least 12 weeks before the day of your move. It will give you more than enough time to prepare, pack, choose a mover, and plan your entire relocation.
As much as possible, avoid rush moving services. You may have to pay higher, and your move may not be as seamless as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving across the country or simply down the street; you should always schedule your movers sooner than later. Book your movers many weeks in advance if you know you’ll be moving.
Why Book As Early As Possible?
Movers are in high demand, and the best ones won’t have much availability a month or two before your move. So when you begin comparing moving company estimates, you want to be sure that you book the finest mover as soon as possible.
If you wait too long, the best moving companies may not be available for your relocation. As a result, you could end yourself with a subpar moving company, which will cause a slew of other problems.
You should book as soon as you know your moving date and identify the best movers for you. It’s also a good idea to figure out how long ahead of time you may cancel the movers
Need Help Relocating Your Home Or Office?
When it comes to relocation, every situation is a little different. For example, the distance you want to travel and the time of year you plan to relocate both influences how far ahead of time you should arrange your relocation. Furthermore, the size of your relocation will be a consideration.
831 Movers is a locally owned professional moving company in Santa Cruz, CA. We have been providing a wide range of moving services throughout Santa Cruz and surrounding areas. We want you to enjoy a pleasant, friendly, and professional moving experience from the initial call until the end of your move. Call us now for inquiries.
831 Movers
2234 Thomas Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
(831) 212-3330
