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How to Find Cheap and Reliable NJ Movers

How to Find Cheap and Reliable NJ Movers

Looking for movers is already a challenge. Finding affordable ones that are reliable and trustworthy is even harder. Every year around 40 percent of moving customers are scammed by moving companies. A common scam is providing a quote that is significantly cheaper than other moving companies and then tacking on extra charges after the move has happened, which means that many of the ‘cheap’ companies you find might not be trustworthy.

With that said, it’s not impossible to find affordable NJ movers; it might take a bit more time and research to find one that is affordable and reliable. If you follow the steps below, you should be able to find an NJ moving company that is within your budget.

Start Your Move Early

The sooner you start looking for a nearby NJ mover, the better. You want to have plenty of time to do your research by looking up reviews and reaching out to multiple companies. When you talk to the various movers, always request moving cost estimates. Make sure you have a good idea of the services you want especially if you might need help with packing, unpacking, or storage solutions. Don’t forget to ask if they provide any offers. Some places provide discounts for senior citizens, military, and even early bookings. Start your research months before the moving date if possible.

Get Recommendations

Before you dive into customer reviews, ask people you know for their suggestions. As much as people rely on online feedback, the truth is you have no idea who these people are or if the reviews themselves are real or not. That’s why it’s always better to get information from people you know who have zero hidden motives. Your friends, neighbors, and coworkers are people you can trust to give you relevant and useful information.

If no one you know has moved recently, then your next best bet is to go line to check out social media groups as well as online reviews. While Yelp and Google might be the more popular and accessible options, you should also check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints filed against the company. 

You should also write down the Department of Transportation number of all the movers you’re interested in and look them up on the DOT website. While you won’t get reviews, you will be able to see any complaints and licensing issues. Remember, all professional moving companies need to register with the DOT to legally perform as movers!

Compare Services and Location

Not all moving companies offer the same services. Some provide full-service packing and unpacking while others might just handle transportation. Even if you just need help with the transportation aspect, many companies differ in what they offer for free. Some might just load and unload your stuff while others will provide additional items for free like wardrobe box rentals, disassembly and reassembly, and so on. So when comparing quotes, make sure you know what services are included and which ones might lead to more costs. 

If you’re moving locally, make sure to find a moving company that is close to your old and new home. Not only do local businesses offer more competitive rates, but the shorter the distance between your two locations, the better. After all, most local moves are charged on an hourly basis, which includes travel to and from their corporate location. So the further away they are from either location, the more expensive your bill will be.

Negotiate Prices

Ideally, you’ll have received quotes from 3-5 different moving companies and know exactly what services are included in your move. From there, compare what you get with the estimate. If you prefer the cheapest one, that’s great! However, you might decide not to go with the most affordable option for a variety of reasons. In that case, leverage the estimate to your advantage. See if the moving company you like will match the price or at least get a little closer. If they don’t want to lower the price, see if they might be willing to add some services that will get you closer to a match like partial packing or even providing some packing materials.

Another option to reduce the price is to look for discounts. Many moving companies offer promotions, seasonal deals, and reduced prices for groups like students, seniors, military personnel, and even first-time customers. Always ask the movers if they have any current discounts happening. Some might end up providing a discount to you especially if you’re moving between September through April.

Do as Much as Yourself

It might be tempting to get professional movers to pack and unpack for you, but if you want to keep your moving budget low, you should go the DIY route for as much as possible. Packing and unpacking can greatly reduce the overall cost of your move, though it will take more of your time. While you’re packing, take the time to disassemble the furniture yourself. While many moving companies do offer this service as part of their basic moving package, it still adds on time to the move. Plus, many companies won’t disassemble more complex furniture like Murphy beds.

Speaking of packing, you can also save money by getting your supplies. While many moving companies do offer a range of moving supplies for purchase, there tends to be a markup when compared to getting it on your own. Instead, find ways to procure the supplies for free or, at least, cheap. Chances are you can easily find boxes, tape, and even bubble wrap from your friends and even local businesses. If all else fails, ask the mailroom at work if they have some extra supplies that you could take. 

Find Affordable NJ Movers Today

Moving doesn’t have to be expensive, but if you don’t have a plan you could end up spending hundreds of dollars more than necessary. To start your moving journey, make sure to give NJ Great Movers a call for a detailed estimate. We’ll help walk you through the moving process to create a customized plan that matches your needs and budget. 

 

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Moving Tips

How to Find the Best Reliable Movers in NJ

How to find Reliable Movers NJ

Moving requires a lot of planning and multi-tasking. You have to find the perfect come, consider your budget, potentially change schools for your kids, pack, and find the right professional movers NJ. If you’re already dealing with all the other aspects of moving, searching for movers might be your last priority. After all, aren’t all movers the same? The answer to that is a resounding no!

While it might add one more item to your ever increasing moving to-do list, it’s important to find reliable movers in NJ if you want to ensure all your items arrive at your new place intact. So how can you find reliable movers NJ? Check out the tips below.

First, Do Your Research

Thanks to the internet, you can easily do some vetting of companies before you even make a phone call. Your first line of defense is to do some research on your own of moving companies in your area. A quick search of ‘movers near me’ should provide you with a decent starting point. Narrow down to around 10-20 movers in the beginning and then look at reviews and complaints on places like Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau. While business owners can challenge negative reviews and potentially have them removed, it would be hard to get rid of all of them. If you notice inconsistent reviews on multiple sites, you should cross these movers off the list.

After you’ve narrowed down your list, look at their site to see if they list their department of transportation number listed. Some states, like New Jersey, also require movers to register with the state’s DOT. Registered moving companies will list their number directly on their website. You can then use this to look them up on the corresponding DOT sites to make sure they are still in good standing and properly registered.

Prepare Questions You Want to Know in Advance

Once you’ve narrowed down your options to around 5 companies, it’s time to start calling. Before you call, make sure to write down a list of questions as well as a general idea of what kind of service you would like to utilize. When you come prepared, you’ll be more likely to spot potential red flags and keep your cool if the movers on the phone try some hard-sell tactics.

If you’re not sure what questions to ask, here are some options:

  • Is the company licensed through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration? This government agency regulations commercial vehicle operations to guarantee safety for companies and consumers.
  • Is the company a broker or carrier? Brokers outsource their work to other companies while carriers handle your moving services with in-house staff. In general, you want to hire carriers in case something gets lost or broken during a move.
  • Is the company insured? This is important in case the movers do any damage to your new or old building as they will be held liable for the damage.
  • What is the cancellation/rescheduling policy? Life happens so it’s important to know exactly what will happen if you have to cancel or reschedule and the general timeframe. Most moving companies require around 2 days or so to cancel/reschedule without incurring a penalty.
  • Are there any hidden fees? Reputable moving companies will list out all the fees in the initial quote so there’s no surprises. However, you should always ask if there’s something you need to consider. For example, if the movers will be going up and down flights of stairs they might charge a stair fee. Make sure to provide as much information as possible during the quote phase so you have an accurate picture of the total costs.
  • Does the company provide the services you need? Not all moving companies offer the same services. Some might have more options while others only offer simple moving services. It’s important to know exactly what each company offers so you can make the most informed choice. Some services NJ moving companies might offer include:
    • Loading and unloading
    • Packing
    • Furniture disassembly/assembly
    • Specialty item transportation (piano, billiard table, etc.)
    • Storage
    • Moving supplies
    • Plastic bin rentals

Watch Out for Red Flags with Moving Companies

There are many horror stories of people using a moving company only to realize after moving that many of their precious items were broken during transit or, even worse, they aren’t able to even get their belongings because the moving company is holding them hostage. If you notice the representative on the phone is dodging your questions, seems unprofessional, or is pressuring you into other services you didn’t ask for, consider it a red flag. Reliable and reputable movers are more than happy to answer any questions and will do so in a simple, easy to understand manner. They also won’t pressure you with aggressive sales tactics.

Speaking of red flags, a common one is asking for a large initial deposit. While most moving companies will ask for some form of a deposit in order to confirm your move date, it will generally be around $100-$200. If they ask for half of the quoted rate or more, it’s most likely a scam! Likewise, if a moving company quotes you a number significantly lower than other moving companies, it’s probably too good to be true and they’ll tack on plenty of hidden fees at the end.

Finally, a good rule of thumb is to check the website for information on their address, company name, and how many years they have been in business. Not all new moving companies are bad, but many scam companies change their name often to avoid a trail of negative reviews and legal issues. While you’re at it, verify their address by looking it up online. Make sure the moving company’s address is properly listed and registered under the company name. Avoid any address listed under a residential name.

Prepare for an Easy NJ Move

Finding reliable movers NJ takes some planning, time, and research, but it will be worth it at the end. Yes, it might be more expensive than using a ‘man with a van.’ However, when you hire professional movers you can rest easy knowing that they will treat your belongings with the care they deserve. If you’re still in the research phase, why not give NJ Great Movers a call and we can answer any of your questions.