Doing a DITY Move? 4 Tips to Find The Perfect Movers

It’s PCS season! When you PCS within the United States, you are given two options to move: A Household Goods move, in which the government makes all of the decisions regarding your move, and a Personal Procurement (DITY) move, in which you make all of the decisions regarding your move. If you choose a DITY move, you will have another decision to make – will you use movers? Or will you move yourself?

If you choose to use movers, you may wonder how you will find the best company to move you. Fear not! We have four tips that are guaranteed to help you find the perfect movers:

Online Research

By now, you’ve probably started researching moving companies using our trusted friend, Google. After all, this is usually the first step anyone takes now when it comes to researching, well, anything. However, what you need to know about a moving company goes beyond a quick Google search. Some important things to research about a prospective moving company include:

• How long have they been in business?
• Is the company is licensed, bonded, and insured?
• What services does the company offer?
• Is the company registered with the Better Business Bureau?
• What do their reviews look like? If someone had a bad experience, what happened and how long ago was it?
• Does the mover offer liability insurance? If so, what kind?

Most companies are pretty upfront about what they offer on their website, however, it’s always good to research the company’s social media profiles (and their reviews!) too!

Ask Around

Not everyone who uses any business’s service leaves a review, so it’s important to ask around about others’ experiences. Plus, you’ll be able to get more detailed explanations of those experiences – good and bad. Local social media groups are a great place to start, but you can also ask your friends if you know anyone who has moved locally!

Get a quote

If you’re on a budget (or just looking to save a few bucks), it’s a good idea to get a pre-move quote from a company. However, you don’t want just a generic online quote based on questions with some vague answers. Ask for an in-home estimate (if possible) to get the best possible quote. Also, pay attention to the type of estimate given. A binding estimate is the only estimate that includes all services and fees that you’re guaranteed to pay for. Any other estimate could mean extra fees. 

Hot tip: Ask about hidden fees associated with your move. For example, boxes, bubble wrap, blankets, etc., often cost more and movers sometimes won’t ask if they can use them or not.

Read Through Your Contract

Once you’ve chosen a mover, make sure to read through your contract. It may seem like a lot, but it is SO IMPORTANT to read through anything that you’re about to sign! You want to especially be on the lookout for anything that wasn’t specifically mentioned in your conversations with your chosen company, so that way you can address it before you sign on the dotted line. 

If you’re looking for a realtor to help you find the perfect home at your next station, be sure to check out MHN’s Connect with a Realtor page and get connected with an experienced realtor today!