Now that you’ve finally found the Brooklyn apartment of your dreams, you’ll need to start the moving process. While you might have gotten the hardest part out of the way, you still need to do your research to find a professional and reliable Brooklyn moving company. With hundreds of companies to choose from it’s easy for scammers and poorly run companies to blend in with the more legitimate Brooklyn movers. To avoid unnecessary headaches, below are some tips on how to find a trustworthy moving company.
Hire Local
Regardless of whether you’re moving to or from Brooklyn, you should hire movers that are local to your area. Not only do local movers know how to deal with all the crazy NYC traffic and parking regulations, they also know exactly how to navigate narrow halls and stairs, provide the necessary paperwork for landlords who request a certificate of insurance, and more. Plus, you get to save a little bit of money since the movers won’t have to travel as far to help you with your move. Since many local movers charge by the hour starting from when they leave the parking lot, you could potentially save $100 or more by hiring local Brooklyn movers.
Get Referrals
Before you even start looking online, go to friends, family members, and coworkers to see if they have any suggestions. You’ll get the most honest reviews from them since they are completely disinterested third parties and, hopefully, want to make sure you don’t get swindled. If you know someone who recently moved, go to them first as their experience will be fresh in their mind and ask about their move. Some questions to ask include:
- Was the initial estimate close to the final bill?
- Were the movers professional and did they treat you with respect?
- How long did your move take?
- Was anything damaged or broken during the move? If so, how did the company handle the issue?
- What services did the movers offer?
- Did they show up on time?
- Did the movers communicate everything consistently and clearly?
If you can’t find anyone close to you who has moved recently, check out the online reviews at Google or Yelp. Just take them all with a grain of salt as companies can pay people to leave positive reviews and, in many cases, can have negative reviews removed.
Confirm Licenses
You’re trusting complete strangers with the safety of your most precious belongings. Don’t just hire the first company that turns up in your search! You want to make sure they have all the proper licenses and insurances to keep your possessions safe. In order to qualify and do business as movers, the company must register with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). They must then prove that they are a legitimate company by providing necessary documentation including proof of incorporation, insurance, and more. After that, they will receive their DOT number. Some states, including New York, require movers to also register with the state DOT.
In compliance with the law, all professional Brooklyn moving companies must have their number displayed prominently on their website. That way, customers can navigate to the DOT website and enter in the number to ensure all the company’s license is up-to-date. You should also check out their company profile on the Better Business Bureau for any formal complaints.
Call Potential Companies
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to 5 or 6 companies, it’s time to reach out to them. Before you do that, write down a list of questions you have for the company related to your move and if you need any extra services like packing, storage, moving materials, etc. As well, don’t forget to cover the following topics:
- Whether they have any other fees like stairs, long carry, etc.
- How long it will take to move
- If they can provide any references
- How much you need to pack before the movers arrive and how. Some companies require you have everything in boxes, while others will let you keep your clothes in your dressers so long as you wrap it up
- Their claims process if anything gets damaged or broken
- Cancellation and/or rescheduling fees
If you have a unique requirement like moving a piano or large piece of furniture, make sure to write that down as a question. Now that you’re armed with questions, call up every potential moving company and pay attention to how they act over the phone. Do they greet you professionally and use their business name? Do they answer your questions with ease and confidence? Or are they trying to dodge the questions and/or get angry when you ask? If you notice any hint of anger or it sounds like they don’t know what they’re talking about, end the conversation and cross them off the list!
Get Estimates
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, ask for estimates. Get at least three estimates from different moving services and compare them. While there are slight variations between companies, you probably won’t see more than a $10-$25 difference. If one estimate is significantly lower or higher than the others, it’s a red flag that these Brooklyn movers are not reliable.
Once you have the estimates, see which company matches your needs and budget the best. If one company has a slightly lower offer, bring it up with the company you want to work with. More often than not, they will match their competitors. If you’re a student, senior citizen, or active or retired military, see if the company provides a discount. Otherwise, you can always ask if they have any special deals going on. While you probably won’t get any deals during peak moving season between April through September, you might be able to negotiate a lower price during off peak season.
Work with NYC Great Movers
If you’re ready to make your Brooklyn move then give NYC Great Movers a call. We have years of experience moving people to every corner of Brooklyn and beyond. Whether you are moving a piece of furniture or a 3-bedroom apartment, we’ve got you covered. Reach out and we’ll help walk you through the process and help customize your moving plan.
FAQ
Do moving companies ever cancel a move and what happens if they do?
In very rare circumstances will moving companies cancel a scheduled move and that’s usually only for natural disasters or a severe accident. The movers will contact you immediately to reschedule.
Do I need to tip my Brooklyn movers?
While tipping isn’t required, it is good etiquette especially if the movers performed within your expectation. The rule of thumb is to tib 15-20% of the final bill or $15-20 per person per hour. Of course, if the movers didn’t perform well (unprofessional, rude, damaged your belongings, showed up late, etc.) you don’t need to tip them.
