7 things to expect from a quality New Hampshire moving company

Don’t let your movers drop the ball. Here are the 7 things you should always consider when you’re looking for a quality New Hampshire moving company. You and your family have finally closed on your new home, and it’s time to move in. You’re excited, and while the most difficult part of the process seems to have passed, you’re still faced with moving all of your belongings from one place to another. Moving is never an easy task, and deciding on a moving company can be even more stressful. Reputable and established companies are sometimes hard to come by, and scammers are prevalent. Nevertheless, if you live in New Hampshire and are looking for a dependable moving company with a history of success, Brooks Moving may be exactly what you need. Yet how can you be certain? What distinguishes a reputable moving company from a shady one? Below are 7 things you can expect from any high-quality moving company.

1. A New Hampshire moving company that is based locally

While there are certainly reputable moving companies that operate on the national stage, there are a variety of benefits to working with a smaller, local company. For one, you have less of a chance of falling victim to a scam. Some companies operate solely on the internet with no sort of physical office. These types of establishments offer no chance to be visited or checked to ensure credibility, allowing customers to sometimes be taken advantage of. Contrarily, local moving companies allow you to visit their offices and check out their facilities.

You can also ask local real estate agents, neighbors, or friends for recommendations about local movers NH, which is far more effective than relying solely on online information. A company rooted in the community is also more likely to care about its reputation and offer personalized service based on the customers’ needs. Working with a local moving company also comes with the benefit of supporting your community!

2. Good reviews

Before you make any decisions with a moving company, it’s essential that you first visit their website and read through what past customers have said. If the company has no review section on their website, you can try looking them up on:

• Google Business
• Angie’s List
• Yelp

Generally, people leave reviews if they’ve had a very positive or negative experience, which can give you a clear idea of what to expect. Doing some initial research ensures that your experience will be a positive one. So when you’re reading reviews, don’t forget to look for patterns. A single bad review may not mean much, but if you notice repeated complaints about missed delivery windows, damaged items, or rude service, it may be a red flag. Likewise, consistent praise for timeliness, care, and professionalism is a good sign that the company delivers on its promises.

But what’s also important is to check how the company responds to negative reviews. A thoughtful and respectful response to complaints is a sign that they take customer satisfaction seriously and are willing to resolve issues. Also, look for photos uploaded by past clients, as it can give you a better visual sense of how they handles the move.

Check out the many excellent reviews past customers in the New Hampshire area have left for Brooks Moving.

3. A proven track record of success

Supporting new companies is always commendable, but oftentimes there is something to be said for working with a more established company.

With older businesses, there will be much more information available online, greatly reducing your chances of falling victim to a scam. Furthermore, aside from online reviews, you may even be able to find in-person recommendations from people you trust who have worked with the company before. Moving companies are no exception to this rule, and successful older companies are often the better choice. If you want to learn to protect yourself better, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers a variety of tips to keep you from falling victim to scammers. You can even use the FMCSA’s website to verify a company’s safety record and license status before you sign any agreement.

In addition, established companies have processes in place for dealing with unexpected issues. An experienced company will likely have dealt with all kinds of problems, be it a last-minute change in plans, a broken appliance, or bad weather. They have seen it all it before and have a solution ready to go.

4. Solid credentials

Before moving, make sure you check your state’s moving requirements, as they differ between jurisdictions. Whatever they are, ensure that the moving company you choose to work with follows them.

The Better Business Bureau is once place to start, and offers a variety of information that can be reviewed. BBB also has its unique business rating system, which is unrelated to customer reviews and comes from the number of received complaints, time in business, and a variety of other factors.

You can also check for proper licensing. In New Hampshire, movers must comply with both state and federal regulations, particularly if they’re operating across state lines. A DOT number and registration with the FMCSA are good signs that a moving company is properly licensed.

Reputable companies will proudly show off their credentials, while others will not.

5. A New Hampshire moving company with clear rates

One tactic frequently used by less reputable moving companies is to give an initial rate, and then add on astronomically high additional charges later on. While final costs are always inevitably higher than the base rate, companies should be transparent about these discrepancies.

Likewise, you also should not be required to pay a huge deposit at the start. According to Consumer Reports, the most you should expect to put down is no more than 20%. Experts also recommend that you use a credit card to pay any charges, as this means you can dispute them later if necessary.

Always ask for a written estimate that details any potential extra fees, like fuel surcharges, stair fees, long carry charges, or fees for bulky items. Don’t settle for a vague verbal quote. And if the company is not clear about anything related to the billing process, find one that is!

6. Flexibility

As a moving company is a service, they should be able to accommodate the variety of needs that different customers have. Some people need assistance moving into a downtown studio apartment, while others need to move into a 4 bedroom farmhouse.

Keep your individual needs in mind when working with the moving company. Do they have the right-sized truck for your belongings? Are they available in your selected time window? Can they provide extra materials if needed? Other flexible options might include storage services, weekend or evening moves, or last-minute scheduling. A company that can adapt to your situation, whatever it might be, will make your move go far more smoothly.

Likewise, the apartment movers Merrimack NH themselves should also be respectful, accommodating, and professional. Whenever you’re with them, you should have the confidence that they are going to take good care of your belongings.

7. Clear-out contract

Before signing the contract, take some time to closely look it over. If you don’t, it may contain a “gotcha” that ends up costing you extra money. Clark Howard explains that one commonly used tactic involves a “packing fee”. In this scam, companies charge you for packing related labor, as well as for the inflated prices of materials such as boxes and tape.

Also check for clauses related to liability coverage. Understand the difference between full-value protection and basic carrier liability, so you’re not left in the dark if something gets damaged. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on what certain clauses of the contract specifically mean. If the company is unable to provide a solid and clear answer as to why it is there, it may be best to move on. After all, it’s your money being used to pay for a moving service. So make sure you get exactly what you pay for.

A New Hampshire moving company you can trust

For many people, moving is not an enjoyable task, even in the best of times. However, why not make it as pleasant of a process as possible? Why not select a company that has a proven reputation, is well-established, and will accommodate whatever requests you have? You may learn that moving doesn’t have to be as tedious as it may seem. When you hire the right moving company, you don’t have to worry about possibly having a chaotic experience, because they are responsible and will make sure everything goes as planned.