How to find cheap movers that you won’t regret hiring

Unexpected fees and costs that pile up can make anyone weak in the knees, especially when it comes to moving. Not to mention being worried about the safety and security of your belongings when they’re in transit. With these concerns in mind, it’s worth it to take your time when considering hiring cheap movers.

Letting the first quote(s) you get simmer a bit as you better understand what you’re getting for your money and in what ways it compares with other companies is a wise investment in time.

It’ll pay off in less-stress dividends when you hit your final destination.

Tips for finding cheap movers that you won’t regret hiring

As you are considering movers with affordability in mind, here’s a checklist to inform your decision:

• Get an onsite estimate in writing. To best estimate the total cost of your relocation, reputable professional movers will need to do an onsite visit to see everything you intend to move. This provides a more accurate estimate than if a mover simply uses weight as their metric for informing the cost of a move. If a mover refuses to do an onsite estimate and only offers to do this over the phone, that could be a red flag of an untrustworthy mover. After the onsite visit, make sure to get an estimate in writing. If it’s not in writing, it’s not an official estimate.
• Get multiple quotes. Resist the urge to go with the first company you received an estimate from until you’ve spoken with a few additional moving companies. Getting some more quotes from other companies will help you get a sense for the average cost and what sorts of services and fees are typically included. It will also allow you to identify your priorities when it comes to moving your stuff and what it will cost to ensure that those priorities are met. To get an obligation-free moving quote from our company, with a guaranteed flatfee price for your move, click here.
• Understand the quote. It’s critical to look beyond the bottom line so you know what you’re getting into with a cheap mover. Review the quotes and get clear on what it included in those estimates. Do you understand all the services outlined in the estimate? Are there services you know you won’t need or don’t want? A reputable moving company will be forthcoming about fees for service and happy to answer your questions. You may also want to know what kind of quote you’ve been issued, whether it was a binding or non-binding estimate.
  • A Binding estimate is an agreement between you and the moving company that there will be no charges beyond what is stated in the agreement. If at a later time you request additional services beyond what is outlined, you and the moving company may discuss sticking with what was outlined in the original estimate, creating a new binding estimate, or convert it to a non-binding estimate. Any unanticipated charges that occur in the course of providing service may be billed to you 30 days after the relocation has occurred. Some moving companies may charge a fee to draw up a binding estimate.
  • The purpose of a non-binding estimate is to give you a sense of what your total costs for moving will likely be, but it is not a guarantee of the final cost. This type of estimate will note that your final cost (which may different from what is in the estimate) would include the total weight of your items to be moved and any services provided. If you agree to a non-binding estimate, it’s good to know that the mover cannot require you to pay more than 110% of what is in the non-binding estimate once all is said and done with your move.

  If your written estimate isn’t complete or is largely blank, it’s wise to not sign it even if you’re asked. This may be where an untrustworthy moving company will attempt to add unanticipated charges later.

• Get a sense of how they handle damages and losses. Under federal law, moving companies are liable for damage and loss of your belongings that happen in the course of their service. But, there are different levels of liability. The most economical level of liability that movers must offer is released value protection. The coverage is minimal, but it requires the movers to be responsible for $0.60 per pound for a given item that was damaged or went missing. There’s no cost to you for this option, but you will be required to sign off for it. Your mover may also offer a third-party insurance at an extra cost that will cover damage or loss up to the amount of insurance that you purchased. If you don’t sign for released value protection specifically, or opt for a higher level of liability, your other option is full value protection. This protection requires your mover to either handle the repair, replacement, or cash settlement for any item(s) that are damaged or lost. Fees for this level of liability can vary from company to company. Ask for more information (in writing) from the moving company so you know what you’ll be getting with this option. There’s a lot to know about this, so check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for more information.
• Double check the credentials. An affordable quote from a moving company is one thing, but ensuring that the company is also reliable is another. As you do your research, you’ll want to verify that the moving company is properly insured and credentialed. Take a look at their website to see if they have that information in a place that’s easy to find or ask if they can provide that information if you can’t find it. You can do some additional sleuthing as well. Proper registration with the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) is required by the FMCSA. On their website, you can search for the registration of a given moving company. You can also check any prior complaints lodged against the moving company you hope to work with through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Make sure to ask questions if what you’ve been told or provided about any of these checklist items aren’t clear.

Once you’ve had a chance to check these on your list, you’ll be well on your way to making a decision that will both meet your needs and hopefully help you find the best deal for your next relocation.

As you search for professional moving companies that meet those criteria, you’ll be happy you checked out Piece of Cake Moving & Storage. We take the guesswork out of quotes and the services associated with your move. We value transparency with our customers, take quality assurance of our services seriously, and have the proper insurance and credentials to handle your relocation. You can rely on us to be there to take you and your belongings where you’re going next.