A moving company (or removalist) helps people and businesses relocate to new homes or offices. It usually offers full-service packing and unpacking, furniture disassembly and reassembly, loading and unloading services, storage in transit, and auto transport. Most moving companies are national or regional with local branches, affiliates, or franchises. Some are independently owned and operated, while others are part of larger companies, such as Allied Van Lines, which has one of the largest networks of agents in the industry.
When selecting a moving company huntsville al moving companies, it’s important to do research and read reviews. While some negative reviews are to be expected, it’s also a good idea to look for positive ones as well. These might include details about up-front pricing, easy booking, great customer service, and the safety of valuable items. On the other hand, reviews that complain about lost deposits or unethical business practices should be avoided at all costs.
In addition to reading online reviews, it’s a good idea to ask friends and family for recommendations. They may have had a positive experience with a mover in the past or know someone who did. It’s also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for complaints against specific movers.
Some moving companies specialize in a specific type of move or region. For example, if you are moving to Canada from the US, it is best to work with a company that has extensive experience working on cross-border moves. This will help to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is in order and your shipment is ready to go once it arrives at its destination.
Other considerations for choosing a moving company include whether you need specialty items moved, what the weight limit is on each box, and the amount of time you need to complete your move. You might also need to factor in if your move will be within a 50-mile radius, which is typically considered “local” by most companies, or if it will require a long-distance move.
Finally, it’s a good idea to consider how often you will need to contact the moving company during the process. If you need to speak with a representative at 2am because of a problem with your shipment, it’s important that the company has representatives available around the clock. For example, North American Van Lines has a call center that operates all seven days of the week. This is a huge benefit for customers who have questions about their shipments, delivery dates, or insurance claims. Other movers only operate during standard business hours. This is a disadvantage for customers who prefer to communicate over the phone during the weekend or after business hours.