When you relocate across US states, or even within the same city, the experience can be both exciting and nerve racking. On one hand, there is the enthusiasm that comes with the start of all things new – new neighborhood, possibility of new friends, perhaps even a new culture. 

And yet, Murphy’s Law is always available to haunt you, where something can go wrong somewhere, during the move. For this reason, it is critical to read through the fine print before you sign a moving contract. Reputable movers Ashburn VA can help you in this regard. 

Here, a moving contract is a binding agreement between you and the moving company, thus clarifying the terms and conditions of services rendered to you. This may seem like a simple affair. But if treated casually, it can create drastically different experiences for you and your family. Hence, here are 5 things to double check, before you sign the dotted line on a moving contract. 

Qualification of the moving company

In this era of internet and virtual businesses, there may be many inexperienced moving contractors offering dubious levels of service. To avoid this catastrophe, ask your moving contractor for the following credentials: 

• License details of the contractor/ company. Also, are they legally allowed to conduct business in your (new) state?
• Industry based certifications if any (like ISO certifications).
• Insurance coverage of the contractor. Are the movers insured against site-accidents that may occur while lifting heavy or fragile equipment? Additionally, will your belongings be covered under the contractor’s insurance? 

In some cases, your contractor may surprise you by going the extra mile by being environmentally friendly. This is also good to know, as you don’t want your precious materials packed in potentially toxic tape!  

Official web presence

In any industry today, a person typically finds his or her contractor using a web search. Google is indeed the new yellow page. Your contractor knows this, and should hence have the business listed on a registered website. Give this a glance to check for any red flags (like missing contact information). Also, the quality of their website is a reasonable indication of what you can expect from the moving company. 

Pricing

This is often the first detail sought by clients. Here, it is best to get estimates and quotes from multiple contractors in the neighborhood (at least 3) in order to land the best deal. Also, be wary of non-binding moving contracts, as they are a sure shot way to get out of promises prior to moving day (like extra care for fragile equipment). It can also help to get professional references from each mover, so you are assured of their authenticity.

Customer feedback and public relations

Today, every business with a web presence is sure to have garnered some amount of online feedback. Check this out without fail. (Ideally, there should be some listed in the moving company’s website). Also, if you find bad or worrisome reviews, speak candidly with the contractor to address your concerns, well before you sign the moving contract. 

Bill of lading

This is typically delivered by the moving contractor/ company on the actual day of the move, and for all practical purposes, acts as the final bill of services rendered. Hence, it should capture in thorough detail the final nuances of the move – including from and to addresses, expected date and time of pick-up and delivery, and any special requests to be considered during the move. This can be legally binding, so make sure you go through the fine print before you sign off on it. 

If you are moving to the state of Virginia, don’t hesitate to contact reliable movers Ashburn VA to receive high quality service.