So, February came and went, your visiting family has gone home after the holidays, and now what do you do with all the clutter? At this point you may be going crazy trying to figure your way out of this predicament. And it’s no wonder why! Whether you’re de-cluttering, storing seasonal things, or moving, the whole process is very old-fashioned, unfriendly and fragmented. Anyone would be stressed.
Hiring a professional moving company can help alleviate some of that stress. It does come with its own set of hassles, though: How do you choose the right moving company? Do they also store your things? Will you be able to see your things? Will your items be properly cared for, with temperature-controlled storage and protection plans? Will you be able to track your things? Is the quote you received fair, or are you overpaying?
Stirit Storage™, the full-service concierge storage service provider was created to solve all those questions. We are focused on bringing the moving and storage process to the 21st century, making it as easy as requesting an Uber ride! Stirit Storage™ will pick up, inventory, and store your items for as long as you need, and then return them to you once you are ready to get your items back. No need to rent a truck or haul boxes into a hot, cramped storage unit on the weird side of town. In fact, you never have to leave your house!
But don’t worry, if you are a late adapter, we have created a guide to help you choose the right moving and storage company near you and hopefully provide some guidance. We will be here if you get fed up with the old process!
1. Do Your South Florida Moving Research
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Doing your research before choosing a moving company is paramount to having a good experience. Start with moving companies local to you and check for a Department of Transportation number.
All licensed and insured movers are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation for interstate moves (and, depending on the state, for local moves as well). You should be able to readily find their DOT number and cross-reference it with the DOT database.
Be sure to check review sites for the moving and storage companies you’re looking at as well. All companies are sure to receive some negative reviews between Yelp, Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau. They’re simply unavoidable. Complaints filed on BBB are a different story, and reviews that mention receiving a quote and paying a much higher price on move day should be treated as major red flags.
2. Ask How The Moving Companies Charge
Every moving company, and storage company, will charge slightly differently. Some may charge you only after your things are delivered while others may charge a couple of days before the move. Be wary of any company that asks for a large sum of money upfront to reserve your move day. This should be considered a major red flag.
Most reputable companies will require full or partial payment up to 48 hours before the day of the move. Any company that requires payment further in advance should be dealt with cautiously or not dealt with at all.
Another great question to ask is whether the moving company bases their quotes on an hourly rate or based on inventory.
3. Local Broward County Moving
If you need short- or long-term storage as part of your move, it’s important to ask whether the moving company will provide this service or if you will need to deal with a second company.
4. Specialty Items
Certain items require special care when handling and moving. Perhaps number one among these specialty items are pianos. Whether it’s a small upright up to a grand, pianos require a great deal of experience and often special equipment and extra crew members to safely move. Ask your moving company if they have a special crew dedicated to moving pianos and request them if possible.
Other items that could help make the decision of what moving company to choose that much easier include pool tables, art, and antiques. Be sure to ask how the company plans to pack and protect pieces of art or antiques. Depending on the value of these products there could be different ways to transport and store them ranging from bubble wrap and plastic wrapping to custom crates.
Happy Moving!
