Moving Services Buyer's Guide

Evaluating corporate movers

Once you have some likely candidates, you'll want to run a more thorough evaluation of the corporate movers you're considering. There are, unfortunately, a number of shady or unethical moving companies out there. While they usually target residential moves (see movingscam.org for details), you should make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.

There are some specific steps to take to verify that they're licensed, insured, and reputable.

Get all the basic information: name, physical address (not just a PO Box), and any other names they do business under.

How long have they been in business? Many corporate movers have been in business for decades - stick with companies that have been around for at least three years. Also ask how long they've been in business under the same ownership.

Get their license numbers. Licensed interstate moving companies will have both a Department of Transportation (DoT) number and a Motor Carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can verify these numbers yourself, for free, at SaferSys.org. Intrastate movers aren't subject to the same regulations, but most states have their own licensing requirements.

Ask about their insurance. They should carry insurance that covers your belongings while in transit, as well as any damage the movers cause to your old or new properties. While all movers are required to have basic insurance, check into the limits on their coverage, and consider paying extra for additional insurance. Also make sure they carry up-to-date workers' compensation - if they don't, you might be liable for any injuries their workers receive.

Check with the Better Business Bureau and movingscam.org to see if there are any complaints lodged against the company. A complaint or two is not unusual: even the most upstanding companies encounter the occasional unhappy client. Look for a pattern of complaints before you start to worry.

You can also call FMCSA's Safety Violation and Consumer Complaints hotline at 1-888-368-7238. It's free and available 24/7 - you can check the complaint history of any interstate mover.

Things to look for in corporate movers
Once you're satisfied with the company's reputation, you can start asking more detailed questions about their services and practices. Do they provide boxes? Do they pack pictures and mirrors in special containers? Do they handle computers?

Also ask what they do to protect your offices, both old and new. If you've just paid to get your new space painted, you don't want it scuffed up the first day. Many corporate movers will lay down plastic or masonite to protect rugs and hardwood floors. They may put up bumpers on doorways and corners and cardboard or pads on high-traffic hallway walls.

Some corporate movers use subcontractors or temporary workers - try to avoid these situations. Ask up front who will be doing your move and go with companies who use permanent employees: they're more likely to have good training and perform like dedicated professionals.

Corporate movers can also help smooth your relocation efforts. For example, experienced movers know that you need to provide a proof of insurance certificate to the building management, so they'll give it to you early. They can also help you with often-overlooked aspects of an office move, such as reserving the freight elevator or remembering to get necessary parking permits. Look for a mover who offers you these types of tips and assistance.

Check references

Have the mover provide you with contact information for five recent customers who can serve as references. If possible, ask the mover to provide you with references to companies similar to yours in size and industry. Of course, if they don't have any recent customers that are similar to your business, you may want to look for a corporate mover who is more familiar with your needs.

• When was your move? (Verify that you're speaking with a recent customer.)
• Overall, were you satisfied with the job they did?
• Did they show up and complete the job on time?
• Did the movers do a good job of protecting your equipment and the facilities?
• How accurate was the cost estimate they provided? Were there any unforeseen fees added later?
• Did you need any special services? (Ask about services you're likely to need: hoisting, heavy/oversized equipment, etc.)
• Were there any surprises or problems during the move? How were they handled?
• What could the mover improve about their operation?

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