Shifting to a new place can be stressful. This is a lengthy process that involves a lot of planning and communication. In such situations, you are bound to get frustrated. You would need to focus on packing all your things, making sure you’ve not missed out on anything, and ensure nothing is damaged in the process. Long-distance movers, in such cases, prove to be of great use. These services will take care of moving and packing for you, which certainly helps take the weight off your shoulders.

What is long-distance moving?

Long-distance moving means relocating from one place to another. This could either be crossing the border to a neighboring state or crossing several states to the other coast. In some cases, long-distance moving can also mean crossing state borders to relocate within the same state. This can happen in the cases of states like Idaho and Texas, which have uneven borders.

Things to remember while choosing long distance movers

You need to keep the following things in mind while choosing long distance movers. These include:

• Choose a suitable company

When it comes to long-distance movers, there are several companies to choose from. This is beneficial for you, as your options are unlimited. While looking for long-distance movers, make sure to go for the most suitable company. Most companies have earned a good reputation by providing excellent and consistent service over many years. Choose a reliable company that is known for its sturdy vehicles, sound security, and trustworthy staff. You can even go online and search for reviews or ask friends who have used the services of the company.

• Compare the rates

You have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to long-distance movers. Each of these companies will charge you different rates for their services. Make inquiries online and find out the best rates within your budget. Most movers charge for their services based on the number of hours that they are hired for. However, many people assume that this price is all-inclusive. But this is not true, as this rate does not include the additional charges of extra packing materials. Moving heavy objects may cost you more as well.
So, be sure to include all these charges when you inquire about the rates from the movers, and then compare among the rates and choose what is best for you. Never go for the cheapest rate and try to strike out a balance with a company that charges you reasonably and provides great services.

• Pick a company as per your needs

Everyone’s requirement for long-distance movers is not the same. When asking your friends for recommendations, consider your requirements first. The larger the home, the more the requirements.

For instance, a person that is moving from a house that has three bedrooms would require a bigger truck than someone moving who has a studio apartment, as they can easily manage with a small truck without having to struggle. Also, it is not just about the size of the house. You should also consider fragile goods.

Someone who has to shift a grand piano or a chandelier would have to look for a company that specializes in such fragile belongings. This is why, while researching online for companies, you should also make sure to check whether the services that the movers provide are suitable for you.

• Check the coverage offered to you
  Imagine arriving at your new home only to find that your table has been crushed to bits due to the carelessness of the long-distance movers. This is something you would not want to be dealing with, especially when you have just moved. Accidents do take place when moving and facing financial losses would be harsh. This is why you should always make sure that your movers provide you with two types of coverages, namely Full Value Protection and Release Value. Full Value Protection states that your mover is fully responsible for any goods that they damage or misplace. Release Value, on the other hand, is provided to you with no additional charge. This means that the coverage under this protection plan is not as good as the Full Value Protection, as it only gives you 60 cents for each pound of luggage weight. Be sure to decide which coverage you want to go ahead with, depending on how valuable your items are.
• Beware of fraudulent companies

There have been rare instances where people have gotten duped by fraudulent moving companies. So, before you settle on a company, make sure you do a thorough background check. There are many ways through which you can check the credibility of long distance movers. Be sure to check whether their license is active, review their previous service records, and make sure to verify their official address. Also, be wary of any long distance movers that ask for a deposit that covers more than 20% of the total amount. One effective way of checking if the company is credible or not is by going online and checking the reviews on their website. You can easily find online forums where previous customers have commented on their services. This can help you more than you know.

Now that you know how to choose long-distance movers, here are some reputed companies:

• Dedicated Van Lines
• Moving APT
• Northern Moving Systems
• Pricing Van Lines
• United Van Lines
• Atlas Van Lines
• PODS (Portable on Demand Storage)
• Two Men and a Truck