Is a local or long-distance Charlotte move in your near future? Don’t wait until the last minute to hire a Charlotte moving company. Get ahead of that to-do list and start reaching out to companies today. Why, you ask? Check out our five reasons why you should NOT hire last-minute Charlotte movers below!
5 Reasons why you should avoid hiring Charlotte movers at the last minute…
1. More Stress
There’s no denying it, moving is about as stressful as it gets. It’s even been said that moving is the third most stressful life event you will deal with after death and divorce. That’s why we recommend approaching a move organized (if possible!). We understand that sometimes there is no avoiding a last-minute move, but if you can, save yourself some gray hairs and get organized in advance.
The later you leave it to book a moving company, the more difficult it will be to hire high-quality movers. Professional and reliable companies will book out quicker, so you risk being forced to hire untrained movers.
Pro Tip: Skip the hair dye and reach out to companies as far in advance as possible. The general rule of thumb is to book movers at least four weeks out from your preferred moving date.
2. Background Check
There are plenty of scam moving companies or in-efficient movers out there. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before hiring your Charlotte movers. Research requires time, and you should cross-reference various sources to ensure your choice of moving company is legit and trustworthy.
Pro Tip: When conducting your research, you should start by asking family, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. They’re your most trustworthy sources. Follow this up with some Google reviews before checking if the company is BBB accredited on the Better Business Bureau website.
If you have the time (and the energy), we urge you to verify the movers’ credentials. All movers are required to have a carrier number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can verify the company’s license through the FMCSA website.
3. Why is the Moving Company not booked?
Ask yourself, why does this moving company have so much availability at such late notice? It may be a sign that the company is unpopular due to low-quality service. This is especially true during the summer season when moving companies tend to have fully-booked schedules weeks in advance.
On the other hand, plenty of availability is less of a red flag during the slower winter and spring months when fewer people choose to move. From poorer weather conditions to school being in session, there is less desire to make the move this time of year.
4. Cheapest Offer = Poorer Service
While some moving companies may take advantage of your last-minute predicament and increase their rates, other companies actively promote themselves as last-minute budget movers. If you’re thinking of waiting until the last minute to get the cheapest rate, think again.
As is the case with most service providers, the cheapest option is typically the lowest quality. And when it comes to moving your valuables, why risk it? Despite choosing the cheapest option, you may end up paying more in the end as the risk of damage increases when you hire untrained movers.
Pro Tip: Last-minute or budget movers may not offer insurance options to cover the cost of your belongings in the event of damage. Book your movers in advance to have a range of insurance policies to choose from and peace of mind.
5. Missing Details
Often, last-minute movers will include restrictive clauses or fail to mention hidden charges in your quote. It’s not uncommon for last-minute budget movers to add several charges at the end for services like packing, unpacking, disassembly, and reassembly. Reputable moving companies will include these costs upfront in the initial quote so you are fully informed from the beginning.
Pro Tip: Avoid unwanted surprises at the end of your move. Book a professional moving company in advance for a more seamless process.
Are you planning a local or long-distance Charlotte move? Don’t wait until the last minute to hire your movers! Speak with a reputable Charlotte moving company like Gentle Giant today. We have some great resources to get you started on your Charlotte move. Check out our moving checklist for information on how to prepare and use our free move estimate tool to determine the cost of your relocation.