If this is your first time hiring a moving company in Austin, Texas, you need to be careful and do thorough research before signing a contract. While there are several exceptional companies in this industry, it also has its fair share of scammers. There are horror stories shared by people who had to deal with unreliable movers and had to pay double or triple the estimated cost given to them by the moving company when they hired them. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself when hiring the services of a moving company.
One of the first things you need to do is ask for referrals from your friends or neighbors who have moved recently hired a moving company. It is the best way to find a company that is reliable, honest and transparent about pricing. You can always find contact details of several moving companies online or in the local papers but the best way to choose movers in austin TX is through word of mouth. After all, there is nothing better than a testimonial from someone you trust to provide reliable information. In case you are unable to find a referral, you should begin your research by using your favorite search engine to find the best Austin mover.
A simple search on your favorite search engine will help you find hundreds of companies but this is just the beginning of your journey in finding a reliable moving company. Begin by searching for their customer reviews and licensing information. All the companies are required to be licensed. You also need to check their insurance information to make sure they are properly insured. This is for your own protection. If the moving company damages your stuff, the insurance company will come to your rescue. If they do not have proper insurance or they are under-insured, you will have nowhere to go.
The US Department of Transportation shares a number of tips on their website to avoid rogue companies or scammers in this industry. Go to their website and make sure you are aware of the tricks used by the scammers. One of the things that many people do not seem to know is that professional and reliable moving companies will never ask for a big deposit before the move. It is the biggest red flag if a company is asking you for a substantial deposit. Stay away from such companies and keep searching to find a reliable company.
Another common mistake made by people is that they start their search too early. It is the kind of business where you should start your search around 3 to 4 weeks before your moving date. Since things change constantly and cancellations are not that infrequent in the industry, starting your research 3 to 4 weeks before the moving date will help you find the right company and more importantly, at the right price.
One of the ways scammers thrive in this industry is by quoting a much lower price than the average price quoted by professional companies. However, they never give a true estimate to their customers. They just use that initial low estimate often given over the phone or online to get their foot in. They tack on hidden charges for a variety of things at the end and you have no choice but to pay them. Therefore, it is important to check the legitimacy and licensing information of the company before hiring them to make sure you won’t get scammed.
To conclude, hiring a moving company in Austin shouldn’t be a challenging task if you do your homework and take time to research the reputation of the moving company before signing a contract. So, do your research in order to find a reliable company that is transparent about pricing and is willing to go an extra mile to keep their customers happy.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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