What To Look For in an Out-of-State Moving Company?

There is nothing worse than hiring the wrong moving company. It is akin to throwing time and money down the drain.

Due diligence is essential when choosing a moving company because of the many options available in the sector, so here are a few tips on how you can find the perfect company for your move.

Authenticity

The most important thing is to ensure you work with a legitimate moving company.

A reputable interstate moving company will have:

• All the licenses to conduct business transactions and transport cargo across state lines.
• All the legal documentation required to operate machinery and trucks
• Accreditation from professional bodies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the  American Trucking Association, which measures the quality of service
• Insurance coverage for your belongings, company-induced liabilities, and transportation gear – verify insurance matters at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website using the company’s USDOT number and Motor Carrier (MC) number.
• Certified personnel with paperwork to show their qualification

Quality Services

You can easily find proof of the quality of service through customer reviews on Yelp, Google reviews, or Angie’s List. Still, sometimes it’s best to also ask within your social network for recommendations and opinions. 

Professional bodies like BBB measure quality in service rendering, customer support, safety, and so much more. An A+ rating shows the moving company exceeds the standard measures on service delivery.

Service Location

Check to see if your preferred company is available for service in your current and new state.

Availability shows they have the licensure and other legal documentation to operate beyond state borders. Their experience of plying that route is another added advantage.

Affordability

Choose a moving company you can afford. Most moving companies require full payment or a significant amount paid upfront. Therefore, you need to consider costs.

You can compare pricing between your preferred choices. Most companies charge per service, but you can reduce costs like packing and unpacking by choosing the right provider.

Pricing Transparency

The best moving companies provide instant price quotes for the moving company. You can get quotes online or by speaking to an agent. Bonus points if the company also conducts in-house surveys for more accurate pricing estimations.

Quality companies provide flat-rate pricing where customers know the cost of the move up-front. An unforeseen price increase is an unethical practice, so binding estimates are the best options when it comes to pricing. It means the quoted price remains unchanged even with variables that may arise during lead time.

Assess your preferred mover’s payment structure. Is it transparent? Get familiar with the terminology used in pricing to avoid surprises after the contract finalization.

Are the services broken down and charge rates presented? Make sure you can account for every penny spent.

Specialization

Moving companies specialize in different niches. For instance, if you have unique or fragile items, you need a company with specialized equipment and storage units.

If you are okay with packing and unpacking, you may need a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) moving service to cut costs and maximize your expertise. On the other hand, you can choose a full-service moving company if the heavy lifting is not for you.

Customer Service

Trusting strangers to move your belongings or corporate assets from one state to another is a nerve-racking experience. You require all the assurance and support you can get during lead time.

Look for a moving company that is quick to answer queries, solve problems and guarantee safety. 

Shipment Tracking

The availability of continuous tracking is essential when moving. It enables you to keep tabs on your possession during lead time.

If you are prone to worry, find a moving company with the technology to track your freight and know the exact arrival time.

Discounts

Moving companies include price discounts as an incentive to attract more customers. There may be discounts for requesting a quote online or for military personnel.

Reduce costs by looking for companies with irresistible deals.

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How Much Does an Out-of-State Move Cost?

Although there are industrial rates for moving across state borders, many other things influence the ultimate cost. Some companies charge average rates but offer quality services and much-needed add-ons for hassle-free relocations.

On the flip side, companies are offering affordable rates with additional self-services.

Find several companies that break down each service cost for you and determine the best one from your analysis.

Weight

Your belongings weight determines the number and size of the container you need. It also influences the truck and other transportation utilities like fuel.

Moving companies estimate cargo weight by:

• Requesting the size of your house and the number of occupiers
• Conducting in-house surveys to see the items needing transportation
• Requesting videos or photos of the cargo

All these measures enable them to come up with price estimates.

Distance

Moving companies also charge per mileage. The longer the relocation distance, the higher the cost of moving.

Add-on Services

A standard moving service ranges from a complete DIY relocation to a full-service package.

Many full-service moving companies customize their packages to boost affordability. This is so customers can add or remove services to accommodate their budget.

Some customers strip their service package to a bare minimum of only cargo weight, transportation, and mandatory insurance charges. While others include packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, warehousing, hauling, and so forth at an additional cost.

Specialized Packing

Expensive or unique items require different packaging and handling, increasing the overall cost.

If you have cargo requiring refrigeration or unconventionally large to fit in standard containers, you need specialized storage units during transit, which comes at an additional cost.

Insurance

Moving companies provide different policy options for the move because costs may increase if you get comprehensive coverage. If the value of your belongings exceeds a certain limit, the insurance rate can also increase.

Read the fine print concerning these policies and their implications on the overall cost and your belongings’ safety.

Work Complexity

Some companies charge extra for demanding tasks during the move. For instance, if hauling requires movement through a long flight of stairs or the value of your belongings demands heightened security during transportation. The additional labor will cost you more money.

Moving Date

The period of the relocation affects moving costs.

The phenomenon follows the demand and supply principle. Demand for long-distance transport is high during high seasons like Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving.

Most companies stretch their resources to meet deadlines. Thus, prices cap at a maximum.

However, prices decrease during off-peak seasons when the demand rate lowers and the service supply rate increases.

What Factors Impact Quotes?

While many factors can impact overall costs, here are the main ones.

House Size and Distance

The primary factors contributing to pricing for most DIY and custom full-service moving companies are house size and distance. Moving from a three-bedroom house will incur higher costs than relocating from a studio apartment.

Similarly, long-distance moves get charged on hourly or mileage rates. The more miles covered during the relocation, the higher the price.

Move Date 

Price quote calculators also factor in the season, day of the week or holiday.

The end of spring and summer months are usually peak seasons for moving companies because demand is high. The same applies to long holiday seasons and weekends.

Moving during demanding periods is much more expensive than during low-peak seasons when demand is low.

In-house Estimations

Walkthrough surveys give more accurate price estimations than online estimations. Moving costs can skyrocket after an agent inspects your home.

Always request this survey to get the exact pricing. Without an in-house estimate, you will get the cost on the day of the move.

Packing Equipment

Self-service comes with the benefit of not incurring packing fees. However, some moving companies absolve themselves of packing liabilities when the customer handles the task.

You will incur costs for the service and packaging material if you add packing services. The company will also be responsible for risks associated with packing.

Moving Complexities

Examples of demanding tasks that may add complexity to your move include:

• Moving from buildings without a service elevator
• Moving through a tight street where the truck or container cannot fit
• Locations that are difficult to maneuver by vehicular means

Additional Services

Add-on services increase the cost of moving.

Examples of add-on services include:

• Storage — Some people need to store their belongings for a while before unpacking. Moving companies can charge monthly rates for this service.
• Labor costs — packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, and hauling are chargeable add-on services.
• Transportation equipment hires — self-service moving companies charge for all leased transportation tools.
• Utility charges — fuel costs, car servicing, and furniture disassembly- contribute to the overall cost.

Insurance

Regulations in the moving and storage sector require basic insurance coverage for your belongings. However, insurance depends on the cargo’s worth.

Some companies only insure goods that exceed a specified amount of money, and expensive freight may require additional policies against risks during the move.