Top Questions to Ask a Professional San Diego Mover

When it comes to finding the ideal professional movers to assist with your upcoming move, this is a process you should take seriously.

Professional moving companies are not created equal — there are many great ones out there, but separating them from lower-quality options and ensuring you’re set up for a low-cost, low-hassle move will take a bit of legwork.

At CMS Companies, we’re proud to offer both local and long-distance moving services for clients throughout San Diego.

We’re happy to answer any and all questions you may have for us as you evaluate your options for your moving needs. What are some of the most important questions you should be posing to any prospective professional mover?

Here are several topics you want to be sure you address to ensure you’re getting the very best possible services and pricing.

Are You Fully Licensed and Insured?

Professional movers will be working on and with your property, and this can be a huge liability if they are not properly licensed and insured.

Always ask about coverage to be confident that the company’s policy will cover your belongings in case of damage or loss. Don’t be afraid to get specific here — the details matter, and you don’t want any nasty surprises after your move is completed.

These are simple and straightforward requirements of any moving company. If any prospective partner cannot or will not provide evidence of licensing and insurance, move on.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

Another important factor to consider is the company’s experience. How long has it been in business? Do its principals have any previous moving experience? A company with a long history and good reputation is likely to be more reliable and professional than a newcomer.

Don’t simply take a company’s word for it when it comes to its experience level. Look to resources like the Better Business Bureau, which can give you a good indication of how long a company has been in business and whether it has had any complaints lodged against it.

You might like: Choose an Experienced San Diego Moving Company

Where Can I Read Reviews About Your Company?

In many cases, you won’t have to ask a company about their reviews — you’ll simply be able to find them on major public review sites.

Do a quick search for the company’s name plus “reviews” or “complaints” to see what comes up. If there are any major red flags, such as a high number of complaints or negative reviews, you’ll want to steer clear.

In other cases, you may need to ask the company for its primary review page, which could be on Google, Facebook or elsewhere.

It’s important to remember that not every bad review is indicative of a bad company. Sometimes things go wrong in moves, and it’s not always the mover’s fault.

However, if there are a lot of negative reviews and they seem to be from people who have had bad experiences with the company, this is definitely something you’ll want to keep in mind.

And of course, if a prospective moving partner cannot show you any reviews at all, it’s best to just move on.

What’s Included in the Standard Move Cost? What Costs Extra?

Costs are another vital consideration when it comes to moving. You’ll want to know what is included in the standard cost of a move, and what will cost extra. This can vary greatly from company to company, so it’s important to be clear on this before you sign any contracts.

Included in most standard moves should be services like pad wrapping and protecting your furniture, disassembly, and reassembly of beds, and loading, transportation and unloading your household goods.

Additional services would include: packing your items into boxes, unpacking your items from boxes, and removing the packing paper and debris, short or long-term storage 3rd party services (washer/dryer, TV crating, etc.), access issues (needing a smaller truck to shuttle goods to larger moving van), and auto shipping.

Read more on professional San Diego moving costs.

What’s My Precise Moving Timeline?

As you move forward with a given moving company and begin making plans, you’ll want to have a very clear idea of your timeline.

How long will the company need to have access to your home before and after the move? When will they be arriving and departing?

This information is important so that you can coordinate with your movers, as well as make arrangements for pets or children who may need supervision on moving day.

In addition, you’ll want to know about delivery times. How long will it take for your belongings to reach their new destination?

Again, this varies depending on the company and the distance of the move, but it’s important to have a general idea so you’re not waiting around indefinitely for your things to arrive.

For long-distance moves, it’s common for delivery dates to be spread across a range of dates. Drivers are handling multiple shipments and loading and unloading each day as they drive to the next destination.

They have planners that help them do this efficiently, but a delivery spread is given and is narrowed down with a regularly updated ETA. You should be assigned a dedicated move coordinator who will keep you in the loop.

What Happens if Goods Are Damaged or Lost?

Finally, you should be inquiring specifically into the protection plan that the moving company offers in case of damage or loss. If something does happen to your belongings, you’ll want to know that you’re covered.

Most professional movers will offer what’s known as Valuation coverage, which protects various household goods during the precise periods of time where they’re in possession of professional movers.

Be sure you fully understand what is and isn’t covered by this valuation, as well as what the deductible will be in case of a claim.

If you found this information useful, and want to connect with a reputable, professional, and trustworthy San Diego Mover, give CMS Companies a call. CMS has been servicing the San Diego community since 1912, over 100 years!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of insurance do you offer, and what does it cover?

Most movers provide basic liability insurance and may offer additional coverage options. Basic coverage typically includes a minimal reimbursement per pound of damaged goods.

Do you subcontract any services, and if so, which companies?

Some movers subcontract services like packing or long-distance transportation. They should disclose this information, including the subcontractors’ names and how quality and accountability are maintained.

How do you determine the cost of the move?

Costs should be based on the weight of your belongings and the distance of the move for long-distance relocations, or on an hourly rate for local moves, including any additional services.

Are you licensed for moves within and outside of California?

A reputable moving company should hold a valid license for intrastate moves within California and an additional license (USDOT number) for interstate moves.

Do you have experience with specialty items, such as pianos or antiques?

Experienced movers should have specific expertise in handling and transporting specialty items safely.