August is back to school time for many and, for students returning to college, that…
The moving industry is more competitive than ever before, and it may be hard to identify legitimate, certified moving companies. There are many “moving mavericks” that own big trucks and offer moving services on websites like Craig’s List. However, they are not certified, trained, or insured, and often put your belongings and themselves at risk. How can you tell the difference between a professional moving company in Seattle and the hoodwinkers? And why should you worry about hiring a certified company in the first place?
Hiring a Certified Moving Company
Hiring a certified moving company has many advantages: your belongings will be handled carefully, delivered on time, and insured in case anything goes wrong. You should always hire a dependable moving company, especially if you have extremely expensive belongings.
Expensive furniture, decor, and even electronic gadgets can be easily damaged if not handled properly. Even worse, your belongings can go missing, and if you’re not hiring a legal company, you will not even be able to file a claim against them. So, how do you make sure you are getting help from a certified company? Easy: Ask for a their license and USDOT numbers.
Verifying USDOT and License Number
All certified moving companies in Washington should provide two crucial pieces of information to all their potential clients: their license number and their USDOT number. At On the Go Moving, we have that information available to all current and future clients right on our website:
License# HG-064180
USDOT# 2120054
You can verify the certified moving companies in Washington by going to the UTCW’s website and searching for the company by name. You can also check a company’s USDOT number by going to the FMCSA’s website and running a search for the USDOT number. The results should tell you if the company is certified and provide you contact information for them.
Why Professional Moving Services?
Illegitimate companies often offer lower rates than certified moving companies, but also offer a higher risk factor. Not only can they end up damaging your property, but they also pose a higher risk of identity theft or lost belongings.
According to the numbers published by the U.S. Bureau in 2015, Washington is the third most moved-to state in the whole country. More and more Americans are moving to Washington each year, so telling the difference between a certified moving company and a fraud is more important than ever. Identifying certified moving companies will greatly benefit you as you will be able to:
Keep Your Belongings Safe – Legitimate moving companies will move your furniture and other valuable belongings safely from your old house to your new home. We achieve this by using industry-standard techniques for packing, moving, and unpacking.
Get Accurate Delivery and Binding Estimates – Professional movers will always provide accurate estimates for delivery time and price. Moreover, real professionals will provide a “binding estimate” which stipulates the maximum amount you will pay for the move. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises.
Buy Optional Insurance – Quality moving service providers always offer an insurance option for your valuables. However, these must be carefully read and reviewed, so take your time and make sure all your belongings are covered.
If you are moving to or from Washington, contact us at On the Go Moving. Our team of qualified professionals can help you make a smooth transition to your new home. We have been providing quality small and large-scale moving solutions to Seattle residents for years, not to mention we are fully licensed and insured.
