Overview

How to Find Reliable San Francisco Movers

More than forty million U.S. citizens move every year. That amounts to 1 in every 4 adults. In their lifetime a person will move more than 7 times. Research has shown that relocation ranks third as the most stressful event in a person’s life. While we may be looking forward to moving into a new home, it can be a confusing time emotionally when we have to leave our old neighborhood, longtime friends and memories behind. On top of all this we don’t want to have the added stress of wondering if the San Francisco moving company is going to handle our possessions with care.

Finding the right San Francisco moving company can make the whole process a lot easier, but it may not be as easy as it sounds. It usually takes more than just looking through the yellow pages of your local phone directory. For starters, there are several types of moving companies. Some may specialize in local moves while others will transport your belongings across the nation or even to another country. So what you have to move and where you’re planning to move it will have a lot to do in choosing a San Francisco moving company.

You can usually find a variety of other services through a San Francisco moving company beyond just moving your furniture and other possessions. They can rent or sell you sturdy packing boxes, actually do the packing for you, arrange for storage, and unpack everything for you once it reaches its destination. Of course these services will cost extra but it’s nice to know they’re available if you need them.

The rates from one San Francisco moving company to another can vary quite a bit, leaving you with some very different quotes for your move. You may hesitate to go with the lowest bid, worried about the quality of the service and safety of your possessions.

Where do You Find a Reliable San Francisco Moving Company?

Begin by asking the people you know. Almost everyone has gone through a move at one time in their life, so all you need to do is ask around among your friends, family and those you work with to a few recommendations for a quality San Francisco moving company. Check with your realtor that helped you find your new home. A real estate agent can be a good source of information because they often know about the experiences of their past clients. Look for moving vehicles that are working in your city if you're planning a local move. If you repeatedly see the trucks and vans of a specific San Francisco moving company, you have to know there’s a reason why they’re so busy.

Check the internet. A lot of moving companies maintain a website listing their services, how long they’ve been in business, the areas they cover as well as an online estimator page to help you get an initial idea of how much the move will cost you. The website will also contain their physical address and phone number as well as an email address so you can contact them with any questions. You can also use the internet to do some initial background checking on any San Francisco moving company.

Getting a Bid from the San Francisco Movers

After you compile your list, it’s time to call the Better Business Bureau to determine if anyone has ever filed a complaint about one of the companies you have in mind. A San Francisco moving company deals with so many customers it’s not unusual that even a very good company might have a complaint or two. What is important is how they handled any complaints and if, in the end, the customer was satisfied.
Before talking directly with any San Francisco moving company, it’s a good idea to make a list of how many rooms you have and if you have any large pieces of furniture that might require extra work or care to move. Don’t forget to include the garage or any patio furniture. It’s not necessary to be exact but it will help give the San Francisco moving company some idea of what you’ll need.

Making Your Choice: The San Francisco Movers

Comparing bids can prove to be confusing. You’ll find that pricing can be very different as can available services and the methods that each company uses to arrive at their estimate. One San Francisco moving company may charge an hourly rate, another may estimate the volume based on the number of rooms you need to move and still others by the estimated weight per load.

It's important that you get all your San Francisco moving company quotes in writing and to make sure that you completely understand how they are calculated. Make sure you read all the fine print. If there are any damages, you need to know what your options are. Some companies won't pay for damages if you packed your belongings yourself unless it can be proved that the damage was a direct cause of their mishandling.

Once you have some information on each San Francisco moving company and compare the bids they have given you, you can then narrow your choice down the one San Francisco moving company that you feel will do the best job. Moving can definitely be a very stressful time. The last thing that anyone wants to worry about is careless movers or lost or damaged belongings. No matter where you move, you want to know you can find a dependable San Francisco moving company you can rely on.