The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Long-Distance Movers

Moving to another state or across the country is an adventurous   Interstate Moving Florida    chapter of life, but poor planning can take a toll. If you’re well prepared and know how to find a licensed and insured interstate moving  company to pack, drive, and deliver your home’s belongings—you’ll thank yourself later. Take control of your long-distance move destiny and use this hiring guide to find and hire an interstate moving company. 

How to Find an Interstate Moving Company
Before researching a moving company, you should know that some moving companies only serve customers moving long distances—state to state or cross country. They’re called interstate movers. On the other hand, intrastate movers manage local and in-state moves. 

When you hire a moving company to transport your household items long distances, reliability and reputation should be at the top of your priority list. Start with recommendations from family, friends, and real estate professionals you’ve worked within the past. You can also read online reviews and testimonials on your candidate’s company page, and review websites like Angi to find reputable professionals.

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Before Hiring an Interstate Mover
You’re searching for a quality moving company you can trust, but you’re also looking for a company that fits your budget. Keep in mind that interstate moving companies base a large part of your quote on your shipment’s total weight. Talk with at least three moving companies to compare quotes and services before deciding which you’ll choose. 

Pre-Plan Your Move
Before the moving companies can give you an accurate price quote, they’ll need detailed information about what you're moving. So, before hiring an interstate mover, take a mental inventory or write a shortlist of what you’d like them to move so that you can answer their intake questions on your first call. Later in the process, they’ll verify your shipment size by scheduling an in-person inventory or asking you to take a video of your belongings. 

Purge Unwanted Items
The cost to hire movers depends on many factors, including the number of rooms, oversized items like a piano, and whether you need a full-service move that includes packing, delivery, and unpacking. To keep your costs down, it’s important to lighten your load and donate, recycle, and throw away things you don’t need. 

Tell the Movers About Location Challenges
Don’t forget to tell the movers about any physical challenges they might have on moving day. For example, they’ll want to know about the number of stairs, narrow hallways and doorways, and parking issues like small streets or overhead power lines near the truck’s parking spot. If you’re upfront about these trouble spots, you won’t be surprised later when the quote reflects inconvenience charges. 

Ask For an In-Person Estimate
After purging unwanted items and creating a moving plan, ask your top moving company candidates to schedule an in-person estimate. It’s the best way to get an accurate price. If the onsite surveyors take inventory, they’ll have the best information to plan your packing and loading strategy. You’ll also avoid fee changes on move-out day. 

Check Your Moving Company’s Qualifications
You can find more background information on interstate moving companies by searching the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. This website has insurance and registration records in addition to the company’s complaint history. If you still have questions about their business practices, it’s time to call and clarify the details.