When moving across state lines, this is referred to as interstate moving. Moving is stressful enough with packing boxes and preparing for the move but interstate moving involves more. One important thing to know is that there are requirements that interstate moving companies must follow. When moving across state lines each state has their own guidelines. Moving companies that move households from one state to another are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and are required legally to do the following:
• Display their U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number in any advertising. Their DOT number is the identifier of the company the truck belongs too that collects and monitors the moving company safety information that was acquired during an audit, crash investigations, compliance reviews, and inspections.
• Obtain licensing by the FMCSA
• Provide arbitration if a customer's complaint cannot be amicably resolved. The FMCSA does not have the authority to resolve any claims against interstate moving companies but if there is a problem the customer can file a complaint against the company by calling FMSCA
• The homeowners must receive a brochure entitled Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move so they are informed before the move is started.
• Allow the homeowners to review the list of charges and rates
• Furnish the customer an accurate summary of how complaint handling procedures, which includes a phone number
Interstate moving service companies charge their customers a rate that is based on what they will be moving so to make it less expensive try to get rid of stuff you do not need before contacting a moving company. If this is the first time that you have moved, do not hire the first company that you see on the internet or in the phone book. You should get quotes from at least three different companies. You need to check their reputation, and how reliable they are.
When interviewing moving companies in person or over the phone you should ask the following questions.
• How long have they been in business as a company
• Make sure that they have the proper license and that they are insured
• You should check to see if they have a DOT number properly placed.
• Does the company sub-contract their work out to other moving services, If you decide to hire the company you are interviewing you do not want to find out another moving company you know nothing about is moving your household belongings.
• Does the moving company take the extra precautions to protect fragile items from being damaged during the move
• Do they offer an option to purchase insurance to cover any damage to your household items beyond a preset amount?
While moving to a new place can be exciting, it can also be a little frightening. Any move always entails lots of questions and lots of decisions. One important decision is to choose which company to use to move one's household goods. There are dozens of moving companies that advertise their services. A customer needs sufficient information to make the best choice. Here are five questions to ask moving services near me to get the right information.
Questions #1: Is the moving company a member of the Professional Movers Association?
With this information customers can be assured that the moving companies they contact follow the Association's rules of ethics and behaviors. The PMA has standardized procedures for making and securing deposits and payments. The PMA will also guarantee the moving contract if the particular moving company cannot finish or fulfill the contract.
Question #2: Who will carry the shipment - employees of the moving company or subcontractors?
The answer will give the customer useful information. If the moving companies only utilize their own workers...
•They can determine the schedules
•They are aware of the maintenance data of the trucks
•They have business relationships with a network of mechanics and repair shops
•They will be aware of the conditions, locations or problems with the shipments.
If the moving companies utilize sub-contractors, they won't know the qualities of the workers, they won't be acquainted with the truck records or anything about the destination workers who deal with the shipments at the point of unloading.
Question #3: Are the workers trained? Are they full or part-time?
If employees are professionally-trained and well paid with a full-time work schedule, they are more interested and careful with their jobs. People who are secure in their employment feel more pride. Part-timers or daily workers do not have the same incentive to perform to the highest quality. For day laborers the lack of continuity and security on their jobs can lead to injuries, accidents and generally lower-quality performance.
Question #4: What kind of insurance is offered by the company?
All moving companies are aware that accidents can occur. Accidents are an integral part of doing business. Because they know this, good companies will have adequate accident coverage. They also will have a variety of options that address differing amounts of risk acceptance for their customers. A moving company with less experience will brag that their workers, trucks and general know how make different levels of insurance unnecessary. Customers must evaluate which attitude makes the most sense.
Question #5: What is your feeling about the company?
This answer is not measurable and it is completely subjective. How completely a moving company answers questions, how its workers act and how it explains its services will give a good idea of the standards it follows and the service it will provide. Quality moving companies are aware that they must furnish correct information, make precise promises and do what they promise. If they fulfill their promises, they will have many happy customers.
Choosing the right moving company will make the move to a new place less stressful and frightening. So use these questions to discover which one of the many moving companies available will provide the best service.