Long-distance moves do not happen often but when they do happen, you need to be prepared. You, being an entrepreneur are different from everyone else because you’re going to have to relocate your business!
If this scenario is looming, it may be time for you to do your homework and find cheap long distance moving companies that can meet your needs. Moving a business is especially daunting because of all the equipment and furniture involved. If you are also moving your home items, then finding a company that specializes in both commercial and residential moves may be what you need. In either case, you need to do your due diligence to avoid issues later. Some of these issues include late deliveries, missing items, broken items, a difficult claim process, among others. To get you off to the right start, here are several things you need to keep in mind as you search for the ideal mover.
Moving Regulations
Moving intrastate and across state lines differs in that the rules and regulations that govern moving companies may be slightly different. What you want to do is make sure the company you choose to work with has all the necessary paperwork to allow it to operate across state lines. You also need to look at the Federal Motor Carrier Association (FMCSA) guidelines to understand what your rights are and how to exercise them. Regulations are especially important as you do not want to find your mover unable to deliver to the other state, leaving you and your goods stranded.
Move Logistics
Most moving companies will charge you based on the weight of your goods. Some may charge you based on the volume or even the distance, but weight is the common standard. To find the right mover, you need to ensure you have cataloged all you have, gotten rid of all that you may not need to bring down the weight, and arranged to move your valuables either personally or with a secured mover. The mover you pick should also be able to help with this logistics at no extra cost.
Subcontracting
Interstate moves may sometimes involve subcontracting by the moving company you chose. Ask this upfront and get details about the subcontracting company. You need to do this to ensure the company handling the second leg of the move is as experienced and competent as the one you picked for the first leg. You also need to find out whether they have the same level of professional staff, moving equipment, insurance, etc.
Do Your Research
There are hundreds of moving companies in any given state. Trying to figure out the right one for you can be daunting. Fortunately, portals like Angie’s List and Yelp! provide ratings that you can read and review to find the right mover for your home business. Of course, you will also need to visit their website, call them up and do further research to find out as much as you can about them. The best-case scenario is a company with excellent reviews and tons of experience in the type of moving you need.
Payment Options
If a moving company is asking for cash-only payments, this should be a red flag. It should be an even bigger red flag if they ask for payments upfront. The risky thing about this is that there is very little recourse if you are seeking a refund. Also, companies that request for cash-only payments may not have the necessary infrastructure, experience and professionalism to accommodate your requirements. If this pops up, move on to the next.
Contracts
As a rule of thumb, do not sign anything you do not understand. The right moving company should have a contract that is easy to understand, is concise and has all the details you hold as important highlighted. These details include claims, insurance, subcontracting, liability, licensing, etc. If you cannot easily deduce these details from the contract, ask them for a simplified contract or have a lawyer look at the contract for you before signing. You want to avoid a situation where a hidden clause leaves you exposed in the event that the move does not go as planned.
Get an Estimate
Estimates are how you will know whether the mover is cheap or expensive. Before getting the final quote, request the mover to come and assess your goods and give you a final quote based on this. This will lower your quote because in most cases, movers overestimate how heavy items will be based on the information you supply them. With an in-person quote, they can get the accurate weight ratings for each item and bill them accordingly.
