So you’ve bought a new house and you’re faced with the dreaded task of having to move all your stuff. Most homeowners have no idea about binding estimates and best practices in their general area or state. Whether you’re doing a local or a long distance move, when deciding on which moving company you want hire to handle some of your most precious belongings, listed are five guidelines you can follow to ensure you have the most exceptional experience possible. From screening to preparing estimates, follow these steps and you’ll know everything you need to know to ensure your priceless belongings are in good hands.

Screening Your Movers

Doing an initial screening before you decide to hire a mover is a must! Let’s be real, your home is your castle and hosts some of your most valuable belongings, do you really want a mover that could possibly jeopardize those priceless mementos? Check consumer advocacy groups, they usually have a blacklist for consumers of moving companies that have performed poorly or had issues related to property theft or destruction in the past. The Better Business Bureau is another great resource to track other customers’ experiences with a particular company. The BBB’s website has a plethora of information on a variety of businesses so you can fact check and cross-reference to your heart’s content. Also, be sure to check the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to see if the moving company you are interested in is a member. Although being a member of this prestigious organization shouldn’t be the determining factor in your decision to hire a particular company, it definitely speaks volumes about the moving company if they are a member.

Another considerable point will be contacting a local mover to have the shifting process smooth and easy. Per se, if you’re shifting intercity within Australia, it is advisable to hire Quick Pick movers in Melbourne. The companies that are local have the best idea about the roads and lanes, weather conditions etc. The safety of your goods can be prioritised more thoroughly with someone who is local.

Call Multiple Companies

Don’t just settle for the first company that comes along, do some price checking and call around to different moving companies in your area. Know exactly how many miles your move is and determine your estimates accordingly. Estimates can be confusing, be sure to take care in determining what type of estimate, binding or non-binding you will choose.

Binding Estimate

A Binding Estimate is just what the name implies, an exact cost or estimate for moving services. With a binding estimate, your charges will not change if your final weight is more or less than the initial quote. Remember, a binding estimate will cover only the services outlined in the contract, nothing more, and nothing less.

Non-Binding Estimate

Non-binding estimates are not a contract per se. When a moving company offers you a non-binding estimate it simply means that the price quoted before your move is not binding, or, does not bind your mover to any specific terms or conditions. If you are just shopping around for a quote, then a Non-binding estimate is your best bet.

Understanding Your Rights

The United States Department of Transportation provides a small booklet titled ‘Your Rights And Responsibilities When You Move.’ Federal law stipulates that interstate movers provide this guide which is the official rulebook for the moving industry. In state movers, on the other hand, are regulated by the state’s department of transportation, or, if your state does not have this, its public utilities or commerce commission. States usually publish their own rulebooks and give them away for free on their states official website. To keep it short, it is essential to keep in mind about referring to multiple home moving guide for this matter.

Ensure The Moving Company Is Licensed & Insured

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or, FMCSA, offers homeowners a handy tool through their website that grants potential customers with information about a moving company’s license and insurance status. Whatever moving company you decide to use should have a USDOT number. This number is what clients can use to search for these criteria on the FMCSA’s official website. Don’t trust a mover to handle some of your most precious possessions without having insurance. If for any reason you feel your mover has violated necessary safety requirements, then call the FMCSA’s consumer hotline at 888-368-7238. The hotline records and provides information about complaints filed against a moving company, providing this to consumers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Always remember that you as a consumer have the right to access information about a company’s previous contracts and complaints. If for any reason the moving company you are investigating doesn’t have insurance, then they probably shouldn’t be trusted with moving your belongings.