In the summer, more moving trucks are on the road. Young adults are graduating from college and moving to new cities. Families are taking advantage of the warm summer months to transition to a new home. According to the U.S. Census, nearly 31 million Americans moved in 2019, and almost 10% of the population moves annually. If you're making a move this year, here are eight questions you should ask before you pick a moving company to handle your items.

1. Do You Offer Any Discounts?

If you're a first-time customer of a local moving company, you may take advantage of some discounts. It's not always guaranteed, but you may get discounts based on other affiliations. For example, AAA members, veterans, and seniors can often rely on the opportunity for a discount.

2. Do You Background Check Your Employees?

When you hire a moving company, you'll have tons of strangers in your current and new homes. You have to trust them to move the items you've had for years. Some of these items may also be valuable, especially if you're moving large electronics and appliances. Needless to say, you may be worried about the trustworthiness of a company you've never worked with before. Therefore, it makes sense to ask if the contractor does a thorough background check on the workers handling your items.

3. Can I Track My Items?

Some companies offer clients the ability to track their items. It's useful if you're doing a cross-country move where you'll spend days and maybe weeks separated from your stuff. Some companies offer GPS tracking or just the basic ability to call the office and see where the moving truck is located.

4. Do You Provide Binding Estimates?

While moving can be expensive, it can cost more than necessary with hidden fees. For example, the moving company may offer you an initial lower quote but up the price on moving day when it's too late to make any changes. That's why you should ask if they have binding estimates. A binding estimate is a set fee that won't change on moving day or after the move is complete.

5. Are You Licensed?

Make sure any business you hire has a legitimate license to work in the state. Licensing helps you know the company has the proper training to perform the services they provide. They've also gone through any legal requirements through the state or local region to work with clients such as yourself.

6. How Far Do You Move?

Before you get excited about a potential mover, make sure they can go as far as you need them to. A local move shouldn't be a problem, but you should double-check the mile radius. If you're doing an interstate move, don't assume that all movers can go that far. Be clear on the areas and mileage that they serve before you ask any further questions. Plus, the amount of mileage that they're willing to go can also affect the final cost.

7. How Much Coverage Do You Offer?

A moving company normally offers protective coverage to insure your items. After all, even the most careful movers may get into an accident on the road, or something may fall off a moving truck and break. Basic liability is $0.30 per pound for intrastate moves and $0.60 per pound for interstate, according to Move.org. However, full value protection (FVP) covers up to the full market value, but you often have to pay a little more for it.

8. What Services Do You Offer?

All moving companies don't offer the same services, so ask ahead of time. Some may offer the basics of loading and unloading your moving items while others may offer packing services. If you have large items, such as oversized beds with canopies, large couches, or tables, movers may be able to provide assembly services. They may even offer storage and the ability to ship your car from one location to another.

It can be an exciting experience to get a new home whether you stay in the same city or move to a new state. However, moving takes a lot of work and preparation, so take the time to find the right moving company for you. Contact our team here at Economy Movers and Storage today!