What are the cons of moving companies?

A moving company provides transportation for the items in a household or business as they relocate to new locations. Companies in this industry offer a wide range of services, from basic truck rentals to full-service moves with packing and unpacking. They may also provide storage, car transport and self-packing supplies for those who want to handle the move on their own.

Choosing a moving company that best suits your needs and budget requires research and planning. Before you contact providers for quotes, be prepared with a list of the items that need to be moved and their approximate value (though a precise inventory will not be possible until after the onsite estimate). Having this information in hand will help moving companies provide more accurate estimates. It will also help you compare quotes and services offered by different providers.

The best movers are experienced and licensed. They understand the ins and outs of local, long-distance and international moves. They have a variety of trucks and trailers, and they can customize their packages to meet your unique requirements. They also know how to properly load and secure the items they transport, ensuring your goods arrive in good shape at their destination. Finally, the best movers have extensive networks of partners for cross-country transport and can offer a variety of extra services, such as real-time GPS tracking and supplemental insurance.

Most movers provide several types of moving estimates. These include binding and nonbinding. A binding estimate locks in a price once an onsite survey is performed. It is usually subject to change if additional services are requested or if the actual shipment weight differs from the estimated amount. The other type of estimate is nonbinding, meaning the price is based on a general assessment of the shipment without an onsite evaluation. Nonbinding estimates are usually more expensive than binding estimates.

A van line is a large moving company that manages a network of agents. A van line typically handles paperwork processing, dispatching, shipment routing and monitoring and claims settlement on behalf of its agents. North American Van Lines, for example, is a national carrier that offers local, long-distance and interstate moves. It also handles specialized services, such as full-service and fragile packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly and short- and long-term storage.

All reputable interstate movers are licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Most states also regulate local, or intrastate, movers. Some companies operate their own trucks, while others hire independent contractors for hauling and driving duties. A few moving companies specialize in shipping automobiles.

Moving companies that provide self-service options often have training resources for DIY movers who rent trucks, trailers or equipment from the company to pack and move themselves. They also sell packaging materials, such as boxes, paper and tape, to make the process easier for people who prefer to pack their own belongings. Many of these providers recycle all packing materials and take care to dispose of any that can’t be reused.