By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
When you're up to your eyeballs in moving--new house, new locale, new everything--you might overlook one of the most vital decisions you will need to make--which moving company are you going to employ to physically move all your stuff? Selecting a reputable moving company in Oklahoma City is vital to having a successful move, so follow these best practices for choosing the best mover for your unique situation.
Ask for Referrals
Ask your realtor for a moving company referral. They are aware who is great, and who is not great but has a shiny bright website designed to entice you in. Google movers in your area--then check with the BBB and other consumer agencies, like Angie's List, for reviews and issues.
Check for Registration
When you Google movers, you should see the company's DOT registration number along with their contact info. This means they are affiliates of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, and that they are in compliance with federal safety regulation. It also means they are more likely to be honest with you.
Get Your Estimate in Writing
Professional moving companies have account managers and customer service coordinators on hand to do just that—assess the details of your move, assemble written estimates, and essentially be the point person for you. If your move is not complex and you have all the details on what you are moving an over-the-phone consult might work; if you have a large house with lots of storage, a basement, and a shed, they should send an estimator to your residence to walk through the entire home to ensure an accurate quote. Your estimate needs to be in writing--not a verbal ballpark.
On Moving Day
Uniformed movers and marked trucks--It might seem a bit picky, but make sure the moving van
truck's logo, movers shirts, and the estimate paperwork all match. Professional movers are glad to tell you who they are employed by; if a crew of guys get there in random t-shirts, feel free to show them the door. They should also bring the applicable equipment--dollies, gloves, hand trucks, and moving blankets.
The crew leader should walk through your residence with you to confirm existing flaws in furniture. Some moving companies will even take pictures of scratches, scrapes, and dings with a smartphone and send you the pictures, so if there is transit damage it's simple to prove.
Moving to Oklahoma City can be anxious, but with the right movers it can be exciting and fun, too. A-1 Freeman Moving Group has been in business long enough to make it fun, so we are your point person for any move in town, across the country or around the globe. Contact us today!
