Are you looking for Jersey City movers to help with your big move? Moving has several components that make the process one of the top 5 most stressful situations in life.
Looking for a moving company to help you during this huge life change only adds to the stress. How do you know who you can trust? How do you know you won’t get ripped off? How do you know what you should be looking for in a moving company? We’ll answer all of that here so you can hire the best Jersey City movers and move on to the other important things you need to take care of.
How to Hire the Best Jersey City Movers
If you’re moving, here are a few tips to help you hire Jersey City movers with confidence that they’ll get the job done right.
1. Get References
Avoid your initial impulse to start Googling moving companies right away. Instead, turn to the people you know and trust already. Ask friends, family members and neighbors if they have any recommendations. Do you know of any friends who recently moved? Ask about their moving company and how the process went. If you don’t have references from any personal acquaintances, consult consumer groups, public agencies or associations. Additionally, if you’re researching companies online, read reviews from their customers. Oftentimes customers will leave reviews on Google, so you can see what experiences people had.
2. Check The Company’s Reputation
Once you’ve found a few companies you think have potential, digging a little deeper will help you find the most reputable choice. Check the Better Business Bureau website to get more information about each company. Ensure that the company is licensed. You can verify license numbers with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Additionally, you can call their Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline at 1-888-368-7238. Ask if they have a complaint history for the company you have in mind. The hotline is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. To avoid being scammed, check out the MovingScam.com message boards. You can get on there and ask if anyone has had a negative experience with the company you have in mind. People are very active on these message boards and will likely respond quickly. You can also contact MovingScam.com directly to get your questions answered. Doing a little more research is well worth it to verify that the company is legit. 
3. Get a Detailed Estimate
One of the biggest complaints people have with moving companies is the unexpected extra costs. Asking different Jersey City movers for an estimate can help you get an idea ahead of time of what to expect. Aim to get quotes from at least three Jersey City movers to see which estimate will be the most cost-effective for you. Aim to get quotes from at least three Jersey City movers to see which estimate will be the most cost-effective for you. If a company gives you a binding estimate, you’ll pay the price stated. If you are adding goods or services to your shipment, the company will increase the cost stated in your estimate before loading and shipping so that there aren’t unexpected price changes. Extra costs then typically aren’t due until 30 days after the goods have been delivered. If a company gives you a non-binding estimate, this means they set the final cost after weighing your goods and computing your final move distance. You’ll pay less if the shipment is lighter than it was when originally estimated. You’ll pay more if the weight is higher. Lastly, there are not-to-exceed estimates. This option allows you to pay whichever option is cheaper – the binding estimate or actual cost.
4. Ask About Extra Costs
Good Jersey City movers will tell you of any additional costs that you should be aware of when they conduct an in-home estimate. Typically, those extra costs cover shuttle service fees, dismantling large pieces or moving certain goods to different locations.
5. Know the Red Flags
When researching different Jersey City movers, there are a few red flags to be aware of. First and foremost, check that a moving company you found online has a physical address. It’s easy for people to have a website but no actual company. This allows you to see if their address leads to a legitimate, secure business. If the price sounds too good to be true, it likely is. A reputable company will not give you a super-cheap quote over the phone without seeing your home. Don’t fall for the low estimate from the company who doesn’t conduct an in-home audit. Another red flag is when a moving company demands a payment upfront. Be leery of demands for cash.
6. Make Sure It’s Insured
Replacing or repairing your belongings can be costly, so make sure you get insurance. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover property that is being moved, so you might want to get trip transit insurance. This protects you in case of theft or fire but does not cover costs for repairing damaged goods with movers. Because of that, you’ll want to hire Jersey City movers that are insured. Interstate movers become liable for items they’re transporting if they are broken or lost. The extent of liability will vary depending on the company’s coverage. You can purchase released value protection, which limits the movers’ liability to 60 cents per pound. Otherwise, full-value protection is a more costly plan but gets you more coverage. This makes movers liable for replacing or repairing any damaged items, or reimbursing you with cash to replace the item.
Choosing Jersey City Movers
When it comes time to decide on your Jersey City movers, consider all of the factors above. One company’s price may look cheaper than another, but you should also take into account their reputation, whether they’re insured and whether they’re being upfront about additional costs. Remember to have an on-site estimate to avoid unexpected extras. If you’re looking for a full-service moving company you can trust, contact Metropolis Moving for a quote today! Metropolis Moving is a locally-owned, award-winning New York moving company. With highly trained, professional movers based in New York City, Metropolis offers fast, courteous residential and commercial moving services of all sizes.
