Peak moving season is on! Summer is the busiest time of the years for people moving from one place to another. Recent graduates starting new jobs, people switching jobs, or families trying to settle down before the new school year. And most of them, in order to make the move easier, hire movers. But sometimes this only makes things worse, because movers turn out to be completely unprofessional and unlicensed. Here we prepared a helpful article for you to protect yourself and help you avoid unlicensed movers.
Unlicensed movers: the worst-case scenario
Moving is not easy, often stressful, and definitely is not cheap. And while it might seem like a good idea to save money and hire just some guys with a truck, remember – this is your life you’re moving. So it is always better to be overprotective than regret at the end. Here’s just a glimpse at what usually happens when people hire untrustworthy movers.
The price you will end up paying will be five or even ten times more than estimated. When giving you estimate over the phone, unlicensed movers will lower their prices just to undercut their lawful competitors. But on a moving day, usually, halfway through the loading process, it will appear that the move will cost more. It will also be made clear to you that the company doesn’t accept credit cards to checks, and the payment must be in cash.
The truck loaded with your most precious possessions will simply disappear on the way. The movers will not pick up their phones, or if they will – they will keep promising the arrival next week, and the next one, and one more.
If the truck eventually makes it to you, unlicensed movers will demand their pay. Upon getting their money, they will simply unload your belongings onto the sidewalk. You will have to carry all your furniture and boxes all by yourself or hire new movers.
It is also not uncommon that while unpacking your boxes you will find a lot of things missing. And it is almost impossible to get any kind of compensation for the things missing or damaged. The unlicensed moving company will suddenly stop answering phone calls and emails. And even if they will – you will find out that there was exactly zero insurance coverage for your belongings or the property damages while moving you out or in the new home.
How to avoid unlicensed movers
Here are some tips on how to spot untrustworthy movers:
- Check DOT Website!
- The moving company’s website doesn’t have a local address and no information about their registration or insurance;
- The movers don’t offer onsite inspection, and give an estimate over the phone;
- The company doesn’t provide a written estimate;
- The moving company doesn’t offer or doesn’t agree to sign a contract with you;
- The movers don’t provide you with an estimated delivery date, giving you an open window with just a first available date;
- The movers say ‘you have more stuff than estimated!’ and the final amount will be determined after loading;
- The moving company doesn’t accept credit cards or checks, demands cash payments, and/or a large deposit before the move;
- On a moving day, the movers show up in a rental or unmarked truck.
Unlicensed movers are synonymous with disaster. Breaking or damaging items during the move, overcharging for their work, delivering your things late, and even holding your belongings until you pay more. This is what you can expect when hiring unlicensed movers. We hope that our article will help you make the right choices, and your move will be a piece of cake.
