Tampa Moving Company
If moving wasn’t stressful enough, the added burden of locating the ideal mover who will not damage your valuable possessions or cheat you in the process, is a daunting task. You can easily avoid a fraudster by performing a little research. Finding a moving company need not be such a herculean task if you’re moving from Tampa to Washington or Baltimore. Here are a few tips on finding the right movers:
- Take a cautious first step: Don’t say yes before doing a primary screening. Perform a basic online search to list out the various movers who are available in your area. You can perform a security check from the comfort of your living room. Log into the website org (Better Business Bureau). Alternatively, an email to the American Moving and Storage Association will let you know if the chosen company is registered or is a hoax. All companies listed with the AMSA adhere to the tariff publishes and are participants of the arbitration program. Another website movingscam.com to check if the company is blacklisted.
- Shortlist: Post the initial screening, you should have at least 3 companies which are willing to come over to give an estimate. If you are moving interstate, ask for a written binding or not-to-exceed agreement. This will give you a precise amount that needs to be kept aside for moving expenses. Nonbinding estimates are legal if they are provided without an added charge but the U.S Department of Transportation forewarns that the actual price will over shoot the estimate. If you are moving interstate, like from Central Florida to Baltimore. Estimates are in general based on the time taken to complete the move.
- Take the mover on a tour of the house: When a mover approaches you with an estimate, it is recommended that you show them every possession you wish to carry to your next home. This will also save you from demands later when the workmen show up and claim that there the load to move is large. Before receiving an estimate, inform the mover of any complication like stairs or elevators in the new home. Ideally, before the mover leaves, you must have:
- Contacts and names of the company’s reference
- The address, contact information, website address and website details
- The name of the company or parent source and other information
- USDOT and MC license numbers
- Compare to choose: Once you’ve collected information from various packers, compare the estimates. Don’t go for a company with the lowest quote, they are often a scam. Negotiate with companies that seem reasonable.
- Cross check: Call FMCSA’s Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints helpline at 888-368-7238 and check if there are complaints against the company.
- Obtain a written copy of inventory list: Provide the mover with the most accurate road map to your new home and ensure you have a working number should the mover want to reach you.
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