How to Choose a Mover
Make the Right Move
The decision has been made. You're moving to a new state, a new community to call home. Now is the time to start making arrangements for your move, this allows you to maintain control and still be able to deal with the unexpected.
A Good Place to Start
Hall-Lane has been moving families like yours since 1950. We know what's important to you; Safety, Trust and Cost. A company committed to uncompromising value and service. We've found that over half of our business is from satisfied families who are making another move. Let Hall-Lane show you the road to a successful move!
Choosing a Mover
Asking friends, relatives, and business associates about moving companies they have used and liked, is one the best ways to find a good moving company. Chances are their recommendations are listed in the Yellow Pages under "Movers." But---just because a moving company has a large ad doesn't necessarily mean the company is reputable, and although most reputable moving companies have web sites, nearly all of the moving scam victims have found their moving company on the Internet.
If you have never heard of a particular moving company and if you have no references from friends or business associates, be very careful; don't be swayed by a super-low price from an "unknown" firm. There are plenty of quality "name" van lines to choose from. Remember--you're entrusting your moving company with most of your personal possessions and you want to make sure it is someone you can trust.
Did you know?
United Van Lines is the United States
largest household goods mover,
handling more than 24% of all
professional household relocations.
Find at least three moving companies that have offices in your area that have been in business at least 10 years. Think twice before you hire a moving broker, a third-party company that negotiates moving services between the customer and the moving company, instead of an actual moving company. Current consumer protection laws related to the movement of household goods only apply to motor carriers and not to household goods brokers.
Check them out
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential moving companies, you can use the Internet as a resource tool. Check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) or other consumer organizations in your local area for the moving companies you’ve selected.
Another way to check on movers is to contact New York State Moving and Warehousemen’s Association (www.newyorkstatemovers.com or Long Island Moving and Storage Association (www.limsa.com). Ask them if your potential moving company is a member and what kind of reputation the mover has.
We also urge you to chose from among AMSA members that participated in the AMSA Certified Movers and Van Line Program. ASMA Certified Movers and Van Lines have voluntarily agreed to abide by a Code of Conduct that requires complete disclosure of moving information to consumers, timely service and prompt response to claims and complaints.
Moving companies must be licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the federal agency that regulates the industry. A moving company that holds proper license is subject to all of the consumer and other regulations administered by the DOT.
Once you have compiled a list of movers, call them and inform them of the destination and timing of your move. Ask them about the types of services they offer. Also ask them to explain their estimates in detail and to give you a copy. Then carefully compare them to see which mover best suites your needs and budget.