When you’re moving house, a good company is essential for transporting your belongings safely and efficiently. But finding the right one can be tricky, especially when there are so many options out there.
A moving company, removalist or van line is a business that helps customers move to new homes and businesses. It can operate in local, national or international markets and may use trucks or shipping containers. Most are affiliated with a national or regional van line, and some have their own fleet of vehicles.
Most movers offer basic services like load and unloading, transportation, packing, and storage. Some offer specialty services like storage in transit and furniture disassembly. Others offer extras like real-time GPS tracking and supplemental insurance.
The size of a customer’s move and the type of items being moved will determine how much they’ll be charged. For example, a family home with a few large items will cost more than a small apartment. Similarly, the cost will vary based on whether the customer is moving interstate or cross-country.
It’s important to get quotes from multiple companies and compare costs before choosing a moving company. There are often dozens of different factors that go into an estimate, and cheaper isn’t always better. Some of the most significant are the total volume and weight of the customer’s goods, as well as any access issues or special requirements. Other costs include fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance. It’s also a good idea to check a company’s credentials before hiring them, including their USDOT number for interstate moves and state-specific licenses for local moves.
Customers should be sure to look for a moving company with a good reputation and excellent reviews. It’s also important to ask moving companies for their cancellation policy, especially close to the expected move date. This will let them know how flexible they are, and will prevent them from losing money on a deposit if something unexpected arises.
If a moving company is not licensed or insured, it’s probably not legit. Be especially suspicious of companies with no physical address, phone number or several different business names. Also, avoid any company that asks for a down payment before starting work. It’s fairly easy for a scammer to create a fake website, give a false quote and then disappear with your money.
AVL’s movers are top-of-the-line professionals who are subjected to an intensive pre-hire screening process. This includes background checks and drug testing. They’re also required to wear uniforms, so you can easily identify them as AVL employees.
The company has a nationwide network of agents and can handle moves of any size across the country. In addition to offering a variety of moving services, it also offers storage in transit and at destination. The company is a member of the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) and follows its Code of Conduct.