Finding the best moving company for your needs in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area can take a lot of effort. According to the Better Business Bureau, the majority of complaints they receive are about alleged lost or damaged items, as well as for homeowners being charged for more hours than the movers worked, the movers not getting there on time and not honoring the original estimates the company gave for the moving costs.
Moving day is stressful enough without having to worry about all of that! Taking a little extra time up front to vet several potential moving companies can save you a lot of problems in the long run.
– Get Recommendations
First start by asking people you know, who might have recently moved, if they can refer the moving company they used. Your real estate agent might be able to recommend some companies.
– Follow the Rule of Threes
Getting a quote from just one moving company is really not wise. Rather, ask a minimum of three different companies to give you a price quote. The quotes should all be “in-person quotes” because no company can offer you a true quote without seeing what they will be moving.
– Look out for Red Flags
There are some red flags to look out for during the in-person quote. Watch out for any movers who show up in a leased moving van. A professional moving company will have its own trucks. Another thing to look for during the in-person price quote is to note how professional the movers appear. If they are late, seem not to know what they are capable of, or don’t have the answers to your questions and concerns, find another mover. Also, most reputable moving companies won’t ask for a deposit prior to your move. If the mover seems eager to get the cash upfront, it might not be a legit company.
– The Mover Should Be Licensed and Insured
Every licensed interstate mover is issued a U.S. DOT number from the U.S. Department of Transport Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you are moving across country, you can confirm the moving company’s license through the FMCSA’s protectyourmove.gov website. Be sure to make note of the mover’s U.S. DOT number because you will need it if a claim needs to be filed against the company later. If you’re remaining in state, contact the consumer affairs agency in St. Louis. You can discover a list of regional agencies through the FMCSA’s contacts database.
– See How the Better Business Bureau Rates the Company
Find what the company’s record is with the BBB, which can be done for free online. Stick to moving companies that are BBB accredited or at the very least have a great BBB rating. If the moving company isn’t listed with the BBB, it might be a good idea to try to find one that is.
– Inquire About Professional Accreditation
Trade associations vet companies prior to giving them a membership or approved seal. One such association is the American Moving and Storage Association. Moving companies that have a membership with the AMSA will display the association’s ProMover logo .
– Verify the Moving Company’s Address
Ask for a business card or pull up the mover’s website and look up the listed address online. Make certain the mover’s address is listed and registered under the business name. Be wary of any address that is listed under a residential name.