Moving is one of life’s biggest stressors. Moving is probably more complex than you planned for and will consume tons of time no matter what you do. There’s always the risk of damage to your possessions. In addition, there’s always the uncertainties of moving to a new home, sometimes in a totally new town.

It would be unwise to add just one more stress point from a mover who just isn’t up to the task of moving you efficiently and as stress-free as possible. That’s why we put together a list of 7 tips to help you look for a great mover who will make your next move a breeze.

Preparation

Before you start looking for a professional moving company, it is best to spend some time preparing. Begin by getting rid of everything that you don't use anymore or that you don't absolutely need to take with you. Keep in mind, most movers won't handle hazardous materials or living plants, so you will either need to get rid of these items or find a different way to move them.

Make a List

Make a list of everything of value that you are moving, writing a detailed description of each item. You should also contact the company that provides your homeowner's insurance to see whether or not they will cover any items that are lost or damaged during the move.

Finally, decide whether you need a long distance moving company or whether you just need someone that serves your local area. Think about any challenging situations that the movers may encounter such as skinny stairways or tight corners so that you can notify them of those obstacles ahead of time.

Begin Your Search Early

Moving companies can get quite busy during certain times of the year. Scheduling your move as far in advance as possible can help ensure that the movers are not already booked when you need them.

Research The Moving Company

Try to find out as much as you can about the moving company before you hire them. This includes talking to people that you know to see if they have any experience with them. You can also read reviews on the Internet. Google, Facebook and Yelp are great places to read reviews about moving companies.

Use The BBB

Checking websites like the Better Business Bureau is a good idea since this will allow you to see if any complaints have been filed against the business. If there were complaints, you can also see how the business chose to resolve those issues.

You should also look at information such as how long the moving company has been in business and whether or not they belong to any professional organizations. Moving companies that are part of a large national chain are usually a good option since there are certain standards that they are required to adhere to.

Obtain Estimates From Each Company That You Contact

The vast majority of moving companies provide free estimates. Ideally, they should come to your property and evaluate all of your belongings before giving you a quote on the overall cost of the move. This will give you a chance to check out the company to make sure that they are professional and that they know what they are doing.

They should listen to your concerns and should be happy to answer any questions that you may have. They should also provide you with information on how long the move will take and all of the steps that are involved in the process.

Make sure that the quote that they provide you with is in a written format and that each cost that is included in the quote is itemized. That way, you can see exactly what you are paying for.

Don't forget to find out what payment methods are acceptable.

Insurance – Yours or Theirs

You should also find out if your belongings are covered by the mover's insurance. This is especially important if you have valuable items that are worth a lot of money.

After doing all of these steps, you should have a fairly good idea of which moving companies in your area are the best. This should make it easier to find the ideal movers for your situation.