Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring A Moving Company - How to Move Smarter, by TSI
When using a moving company, your life should be easier, not more stressful. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly make mistakes when hiring a moving company, which can cost them thousands. This may be caused by surprise fees, poor communication from the moving company about inventory, damaged items not covered by insurance, or unreliable service. Whether you’re moving across the country or shipping a couple of large items to a family member, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.
TSI has been in the business since 1989, so we’ve learned a thing or two. Take a look at our top 10 mistakes to avoid when hiring a moving or shipping company - plus our solutions.
1. Not booking the best service based on your specific situation
Believe it or not, not all moves are the same! There are big differences between:
- Small Moves - When you are only transporting a “small” load (e.g., 4,000 pounds or less), stay away from van line solutions. They are set up to manage large moves and price accordingly. There are other, more affordable options for smaller moves, so look for a company that specializes in those.
- Large Household Moves - These are a better fit for the van line companies, but be sure to ask about time frames. Depending on the size of your load, the timeline might be longer than you anticipate.
- Long-distance relocations - If you are relocating for your job, you may have someone else’s money to spend. Depending on your mindset, that might allow you to get bells and whistles (e.g., packing services, support for organizing and set up of the new home), or might make you want to save as much as possible to use the money elsewhere. Look for a full-service provider that has options and will give good advice.
- Specialty and Fragile Item Shipping - If you are shipping family heirlooms, antiques, artwork, or managing an estate breakup, you want a provider that ensures safe transport. Because these items are usually not critical to day-to-day living, you have flexibility on the transport timing. You can find more affordable options that might take longer to deliver.
The Mistake: Hiring more or fewer than you need.
TSI Solution: Do your homework. Think through your objectives related to timing, budget, and convenience. Find a company like TSI that has a range of moving and shipping options, as well as related services like packing, organizing, crating, and special care.
2. Not researching the mover's credentials
Always make sure that your mover has:
- Required licenses (note that local vs long-distance or interstate moves may have different requirements)
- Up-to-date insurance
- Registered with a USDOT number (specifically for interstate moves)
- Experience - in terms of their employees and their tenure as a respected business
The Mistake: Unlicensed movers are unprotected when moving your items, so if anything goes wrong, you won't have many options. Licensed and insured carriers are able to move your belongings with the protection they need. Moving companies have a bad rep - and many for good reason. Make sure you find a reputable company.
TSI Solution: We are a fully licensed and insured shipping and moving company covering the US. We have been around since 1989, and have an A+ rating with BBB, plus thousands of great reviews. This can give you peace of mind from start to finish.
3. Not getting a written estimate tied to your inventory
When looking into pricing, it’s important to get a written estimate from any moving or shipping provider. Verbal quotes or vague pricing can cause huge surprises when you go to move your items. With a written estimate, you can have the clarity you need and hold the company accountable if anything goes wrong. Additionally, if you do not document your inventory that is covered by the estimate, it will be easy for the company to claim that you went over.
The Mistake: Trusting a company with your money and belongings - based only on their word.
TSI Solution: With us, every customer receives a transparent written estimate. We clearly break down the costs, with no guesswork or hidden fees. Inventory is included as part of the quote. If you add to or remove anything from the list, let us know, and we will adjust the quote immediately. That way, both sides have a record of what was covered by the quote and what might be owed or refunded after the move is complete.
4. Not paying attention to the fine print
Some moving companies tack on charges for:
- Stairs or elevators
- Last-minute changes to inventory
- Rescheduling or cancelling close to the move date
- Remote or limited access locations
The Mistake: Not fully understanding what you are and are not paying for may lead to unwelcome surprises.
TSI Solution: We provide clear terms upfront and have move specialists that work with you from beginning to end. We make sure your inventory is accurate and that you are aware of any extra fees.
5. Picking your carrier based solely on price
Going with the cheapest quote can be tempting, but low prices often come with poor service, bad communication, damaged items, and hidden fees. The cheapest move can easily become the most expensive option if things go wrong.
The Mistake: Prioritizing cost over value. Of course, price is important, but other things might make a slightly higher price worth it.
TSI Solution: TSI strives to have different options for different budgets. We will work with you to prioritize your needs. If you have very specific dates needed for pickup and delivery, your solution will be more expensive than if you have some flexibility on timing. If you are planning to ship a single item, we can recommend other items that make sense to go along as well to lower the cost per item.
6. Forgetting to ask about insurance coverage
People often assume that their items are protected when hiring a professional. This is not always the case! Without coverage, you could be left paying out of pocket for potential damages.
The Mistake: Not asking the moving company about their insurance options.
TSI Solution: We always recommend adding insurance to your job. It’s a little bit extra, but assures that your items will be covered. We have a couple of options, so ask your logistics specialists about what is best for you. That will typically depend on the value of the items being transported. Damages are rare, but since your belongings will be traveling over the road, things can happen. Without insurance, you will have Limited Liability Coverage, which means you will get $.60 per pound for the damaged item(s).
7. Not checking a company’s responsiveness
If a company is slow to respond before you book, that is a huge red flag. That communication delay will almost always translate into your service with things like:
- Missed pickup windows
- Frustration and stress
- Confusing delivery timelines
The Mistake: Ignoring signs of bad communication throughout the consultation process.
TSI Solution: Our US-based logistics specialists are available live Monday - Friday from 9 am ET through 6 pm ET. You can reach them easily during these times by phone or email (and often outside of those hours as well by email). Pickup and delivery windows vary by service selected, but we will let you know what to expect. You can always call for an update if needed.
8. Waiting until the very last minute to book your move
Delaying your booking can mean:
- Limited availability for service
- Higher prices
- Less flexibility with dates
Demand for moving services can get high, especially during moving season (May - September), and trucks fill up fast. Reach out as soon as you know you need to get the best pricing and availability. Last-minute scheduling often results in rush or priority fees, if you can secure service at all.
The Mistake: Not giving yourself time to look at all your moving and shipping options.
TSI Solution: Always make sure to book your move early; that way, you get the dates you want and take advantage of better pricing and availability. We do know life happens, however, and can work with you when things are more rushed. We have priority options, and we also work across many carriers, which means we can almost always get you scheduled.
9. Forgetting about specialty or fragile items
Not every mover can handle specialty or fragile items. These include:
- Fine art
- Antiques
- Large furniture
- High-valued or unique items
- Grandfather clocks
- Pianos
These pieces usually require specialized handling or crating, and even if they can be moved with the rest of your items, movers need to be aware of this so that they will arrive with the right materials to prepare the fragile pieces for transport. These items are also almost always worth insuring for the trip.
The Mistake: Assuming all shipments are the same.
TSI Solution: We are experts with specialty and fragile items. We offer custom crating, specialty shipping, and white-glove delivery options. These services ensure that your items arrive at their destination in the same condition they were shipped in. We have specialized trucks and teams for things like grandfather clocks and pianos, and we handle many estate distributions or passing down of heirlooms.
10. Not looking into reviews or asking the questions you should
Overlooking reviews is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when choosing a moving company. Customer feedback can accurately touch on reliability, service quality, and provider accountability.
The Mistake: Not asking your mover the right questions to vet them.
TSI Solution: Some of the best questions to ask when shopping around for a provider include:
- How will you assess and record my inventory?
- What happens if my delivery is delayed?
- Who should I contact if I have any questions?
- What insurance coverage options do you offer?
- How do you handle items that require special care?
- How long have you been in business?
When you are going through reviews, look for themes vs individual experiences. It will be pretty hard to find any company that has not had some sort of issue, due to the nature of moving (long-hauls, accidents, mechanical failures, etc). But if any of those things appear time and time again, that’s an issue.
Move confidently with TSI
Hiring the right moving company for your situation can make a huge difference. By avoiding these 10 common mistakes, you can protect your items, your budget, and your peace of mind.
