Finding the Ideal Moving Partner for Your Seattle Move

If you’re scheduling a move in the near future, whether for your home, your office or any other setting, it pays to do your research in advance.

And just like any other area where you’re hiring out to a third party for assistance, taking some time to learn about your various professional moving options in the area is a valuable and worthwhile approach.

At CMS Companies, we’re proud to assist Seattle clients with a wide range of residential and commercial moving needs, including both long-distance moves of any size and scope.

We welcome comparisons of our moving services to other professional movers in Seattle — both because we want clients to get the very best possible solutions for their needs, but also because we’re supremely confident we’re the ones to provide those solutions.

What are some of the general tips we recommend when it comes to researching your ideal Seattle moving specialists? Here are several to consider.

Verify Business Quality and Accreditation

First and foremost, you need to verify some basic elements of business quality and accreditation.

This simply entails checking out the business online to determine whether it has professional designations, certifications and/or other credentials to work with.

You can even check out third-party websites like Yelp or The Better Business Bureau (BBB) to understand how long they have been in business and to get a feel for what former clients and customers have said about specific professional movers.

If anything looks fishy or suspicious, move on to your next candidate. Otherwise, you can continue with the education process by learning more about the specifics of their moving services and equipment.

Licensing, Bonding and Insurance

In addition, you want to ensure that your chosen Seattle moving company has proper licensing from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and licensing in good standing with the US Department of Transportation in general.

It’s also a very good idea to confer with the Moving Federation of America for details about any state-level licensing requirements for professional movers in the area where your move is taking place.

Of equal importance, you’ll also want to verify that your chosen Seattle moving professionals are fully bonded and insured against most types of property loss or damage that may occur during transit.

A limited number of claims can generally be filed under full-service interstate moving contracts, but it’s crucial to be aware of your rights and understand the various moving policy limitations on all fronts.

Look Through Reviews

Today’s online review market makes it much simpler to assess feedback from Seattle clients about a given professional moving company.

This is a must-do step for anyone trying to determine the best possible options in the area, whether they’re a homeowner trying to move from Point A to Point B or an executive who needs daily relocation during business trips and other lengthy ventures that require frequent

home-to-office movement.

It’s perfectly natural to want to find out what critical things have been said about Seattle moving companies in online reviews, but you also need to be on the lookout for bad reviews that are written with an overtone of personal resentment or even revenge.

Some of these may not actually reflect the quality of the professional movers’ work, so be careful to thoroughly vet your potential candidates before making up your mind.

Ask About Moving Methods and Equipment

You’ll definitely want to ask about specific moving methods and equipment that will be used during your move.

What standard services are included in your move to protect and move your furniture safely and which services are at an additional charge. If you have any high valued items, or items of concern now would be a good time to see if they have experience handling those specific items.

You might like: How to Select Cross-Country Movers in Seattle

Look Out for Red Flags

Throughout your research of various moving companies, you may encounter a few red flags that have a tendency to pop up from time to time.

This includes hearing about exorbitant estimates, aggressive salespeople and more. In other cases, some iffy moving companies may request deposits far too early before a move, or may attempt to change your moving date just ahead of the scheduled time.

In most cases, it pays to simply move on and continue your search for a Seattle moving company with a good track record and significant industry experience.

Get Multiple Price Quotes

It also pays to contact multiple companies in your area for moving quotes so you can compare and contrast various services, equipment options and other factors.

Among other points, a specialist from a reputable Seattle moving company will understand that it’s in their own interest to provide a comprehensive cost breakdown that reflects all the terms of the proposed contract.

This is also where being an educated consumer really pays off. If you know who to ask for what, and also understand the various factors that affect fair market value, you’ll probably wind up with a solid idea of whether or not your preferred Seattle movers are offering an appropriate deal within the context of the current local economy.

For more advice on making your relocation smoother, take a look at our comprehensive Seattle moving tips to make life easy.

Confirm Service Area

Finally, it’s important to simply confirm that your chosen moving partner services your general area.

This can usually be done by asking for a list of major interstate highways that their trucks usually follow, which will give you an idea if they service the general direction of where you live or work. In a major area like Seattle, this usually isn’t a problem — but it’s good to confirm just to be sure.

For more on how to find the ideal movers for your Seattle moving needs, or to learn about any of our professional moving services, speak to the staff at CMS Companies today.

FAQs

What Qualities Should I Look for in a Moving Company?

Seek companies with strong reviews, proper licensing, and a proven track record. Experience in Seattle moves is a plus.

How Can I Ensure I’m Getting a Fair Price?

Get quotes from multiple movers and compare services. Ensure all estimates are detailed and transparent, with no hidden fees.

Why Is It Important to Check a Mover’s References?

References provide insights into the mover’s reliability and customer service. Contact past clients to hear about their experiences firsthand.

What Additional Services Might Be Beneficial for My Move?

Look for movers offering packing, unpacking, storage, and specialty item handling. These services can simplify your move and provide peace of mind.

How Can I Verify a Mover’s Credentials and Reputation?

Check their licensing and insurance status, read online reviews, and look for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Reliable movers will have positive feedback and proper credentials.