So, planning to move? There are a lot of things to consider. If you have already decided to move and your pick is Seminole in Florida, the next step is preparing for the move and finding a reliable moving company. This is no easy task, there are a lot of fraudulent moving companies around, and you need to be very careful. Before anything else, you need to consider how to find reliable movers in Seminole, FL?
How to find reliable movers in Seminole?
You have found your new home. It’s in the city of Seminole, a suburb of St. Petersburg. Seminole has a lot of good things to offer to its residents. But does it have reliable movers? Here are some steps which will help you find the right movers for you.
Research moving companies
- Ask your family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances to recommend a moving company. Having a good recommendation for a moving company from someone you know and trust is a big plus when looking for a moving company.
- Search online for a moving company like bigmansmoving.com and go through their reviews.
- Creating a list of three to five moving companies that have the best reviews or were recommended to you by someone you trust is also a good idea.
Check if a moving company is legitimate
Once you complete your list of possible moving companies you should check if they have the needed credentials. Getting involved with a fraudulent company can lead to difficult situations. In the best-case scenario, you will spend more money than you planned and in the worst case, you could find yourself without your money and your belongings. So, the things you should check are:
License – check if the movers on your list have the necessary licenses that are required for doing business in Seminole or Florida. Having moving specialists transport your belongings in this area should be safe if they have a license. The movers from your list that don’t have that kind of license should be crossed off your list.
Valid addresses – you should check if their e-mail and physical addresses are valid and usable. Furthermore, the address should be registered under the name of the moving company and not under a personal or residential name.
The U.S. DOT number – movers have to have a special license for an interstate move. This license gets issued by The U.S. Department of Transportation. Movers also have to have a carrier number from The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The Better Business Bureau – make sure that the moving company that you choose has accreditation or a good rating from The Better Business Bureau.
ProMover logo – You can check whether a moving company has the American Moving and Storage Associations logo.
Found a few reliable movers that seem right – now what?
After you have made the list of potential movers you should contact them and ask for an estimate. Be sure to get a few estimates that you can compare and inform yourself about all the services that the moving company can provide and any additional costs. This will allow you to choose the best company and service for you. If you are moving with your kids and need to make the move easier for them you should look for any additional services that will help with that. The things you should concentrate on in this stage of finding reliable movers in Seminole are:
Estimates
You should have a few estimates that you can compare. If a moving company insists on doing an online estimate or by phone and is not willing to come and see your belongings, its time to cross them off your list.
Deposit
If a moving company requires that you place a large deposit it could be a sign of a scam. You shouldn’t be required to pay more than 20 percent of the estimate that you got. Many moving companies won’t even ask for payment before your belongings are delivered.
Insurance
Ask your moving company whether insurance is included in the cost estimate given to you. Ask for information about the coverage the insurance provides.
Moving companies most often accept liability for the value of the possessions they transport. There are two levels of liability and you need to be informed about the amount of protection and charges that apply for each.
- Full value protection – if the item is damaged, destroyed, or lost whilst being handled by your movers, the moving company can either:
- repair it to the condition it was before the move or pay you the amount that is necessary for repairs.
- replace the item with the same quality and same kind of item, or pay for the replacement.
- Alternative level – this is an option that gives you minimal protection and doesn’t cost you anything. Damages and lost items are settled by multiplying your items’ pound weight by 60 cents.
Saving an extra buck is always nice and there are a few ways you can try to save some money on the moving services in Florida.
Contract
Don’t sign a blank contract. Get everything in writing, from the estimate and all the needed services to the extra fees, pick-up, and delivery dates. Make sure that all of your belongings are listed in the inventory.
Types of contract:
- Non-binding estimate – where the company cant asks for payment above 10% of the estimate.
- Non-binding to exceed estimate – this ensures that you don’t have to pay anything above the estimate.
- Binding estimate – is a guaranteed price for all the services you require and the move.
While you are figuring out how to find reliable movers you should do some research about moving preparations and create a moving timetable so your move could go smoothly and be stress-free.
Did you get scammed despite taking precautions?
Even if you take all the precautions there is always the possibility that you fall victim to a scam. So, your belongings were taken hostage, contact the police. If you have a problem with your movers, you can file a complaint to the BBB. For an interstate move, the complaint should be filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Also, if the movers you are not satisfied with are a member of the American Moving and Storage Association you can file a complaint with them. Finally, you can also file a complaint with your local or state consumer protection agency.
If your move to Seminole in Florida requires you to hire a moving company and you don’t know what steps to undertake here are some useful tips on how to find reliable movers in Seminole, FL. The process of finding the right movers for you requires time and a lot of consideration. So, don’t hesitate and start planning right away.