Moving a home is a stressful task anyway, and above that comes the responsibility of finding the right movers for your home relocation.
If you are planning to move within or out of Houston, you need local Houston movers to help you manage your move and take care of your items.
Before you find the right movers in Houston, assess your moving needs.
Also, moving services in Houston are diverse; you need to find which one suits your moving requirements the best.
Whether you’re planning a local residential move, a long-distance move, or a commercial move, this blog will guide you in choosing the best moving company in Houston, Texas.
Types of Moving Services Offered In Houston
Before choosing the right movers in Houston, you need to assess your moving needs.
Every move is unique, and understanding which moving services you require will help you narrow down your options.
1. Local Moving Services
Local moving services are ideal for any relocation within the Houston area or any nearby locations like Pearland, Sugarland, League City, etc.
They specialize in any type of short-distance moves. So, if you’re planning to move down the road or just across the neighborhood, local moving services should be good for you.
2. Long-Distance Moving Services
If you are moving to or from Houston to a location outside the city, long-distance moving services would be more suitable for you.
Long-distance movers are well-equipped and trained to handle all moves across the state or even across the country.
3. Residential Moving Services
Residential moving services cater to the needs of families and individuals moving from one home to another.
Residential movers are skilled at handling household items, including furniture, delicate items, and valuables.
4. Packing-Only Services
Packing-only services would involve hiring professional movers to pack your belongings.
It ranges from full-service packing to partial or specialty packing services, which ensures your belongings are safely transported to your new place.
- Full-Service Packing
This process involves professional movers to handle the entire packing process.
This includes movers providing packing materials and safely packing and transporting your belongings to your new home.
- Partial Packing Services
In partial packing services, you can pack some items on your own while movers handle the more delicate or time-consuming belongings; this way, your packing process would be faster.
- Speciality Packing Services
In specialty packing services, movers will pack antiques, glassware, valuables, and artwork while you handle the rest of the packing yourself.
5. Commercial Moving Services
If you are relocating an office, then commercial movers come into play; they specialize in the unique struggles of moving heavy office equipment, documents, and other business assets.
6. Specialty Moving Services
Specialty moving services focus on specialized moves, including moving a piano, gym equipment, or a pool table.
These movers have the expertise and the moving equipment to ensure the safe transportation of delicate items to your new place.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to relocate, hire a full-service moving company. They are trained to handle all types of moves, including local, long-distance, residential, and specialty moves.
7 Steps To Choose The Right Moving Company
After you’ve assessed the pros and cons of moving to Houston and which type of moving service you would need, the next step involves choosing the right moving company.
Here are a few tips on how to find the right moving company for your unique needs and wants –
1. Do a Thorough Research
Before finalizing any moving company, the first step involves conducting thorough research to determine which moving company can meet your requirements in the most efficient manner.
Look For Online Reviews and Testimonials
You can go through platforms like Google and Yelp to find the best moving companies near you.
Check their reviews and testimonials, and see what their previous clients have to say about the services they received from them.
Don’t just read one or two reviews to create an impression about the company.
Look for consistency and analyze the overall impression through people’s reviews and comments.
Check the company’s responses as well. Look at how they acknowledge customers’ grievances and concerns.
This also tells a lot about their customer service and how good a company is with its clients.
Reach Out To Your Trusted Network
If you are still unsure about what to trust, reach out to your trusted network of friends, family, and colleagues who have recently moved to the Houston area. The firsthand recommendation can give you realistic insights into reliable moving companies.
Additionally, you can ask your real estate agent for recommendations. Real estate agents often work closely with moving companies and can provide valuable insights into a company’s reputation and reviews.
2. Verify The Credentials
Professional movers should have proper licenses and credentials. Whenever you’re searching for reliable moving companies, make sure that these moving companies are upfront about their licenses and professional accreditation.
Genuine moving companies are licensed and insured. Having a licensed company means they will ensure that they can address any problems that may arise during the moving process.
Look for the following criteria when selecting a few reputed moving companies:
- Registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (Look for the TXDOT number)
- Association with other trustworthy companies
- See how long the company has been in business
3. Get Quotes From Different Moving Companies
If you get multiple quotes, it will allow you to compare prices from different moving companies and then choose the one that suits you the best.
When requesting quotes, provide each moving company with detailed information about your move, including the number of items to move, the distance, whether you have any specialty items, and any additional service you may require, such as packing, storage, etc., to get an accurate quote.
In-Home Estimates
During in-home estimates, someone will visit your home to get a clear idea of what you need to move. This would also give them a clear understanding of whether they’ll be able to perform the job or not.
After the representative has had a walkthrough of your home and talked about the services that would be included, he could give you an accurate quote.
In-home estimates are usually the best option; here, you can compare different moving quotes and see what services are offered by different moving companies and then choose the one that meets your needs.
When comparing quotes, make sure you are looking out for a few things.
- Quotes should feature a detailed breakdown of what’s included in the service and what is not. See how much it costs, including the additional fees.
- Beware of prices that seem too good to be true. You might think they offer good rates and decide to take them, only to realize later that they have charged you additional fees that you weren’t aware of in the beginning.
- Review and compare all the information you’ve gathered, including the reviews, estimates, and reputation of the moving companies you’ve considered.
4. Evaluate The Experience and Expertise
The next step involves knowing the movers you are considering hiring to have the required experience and expertise to carry out the move.
Ensure That The Movers are Trained
You would want to ensure that the company’s movers are well-trained to handle the task efficiently and have the right experience.
The company should provide regular training to the staff. This way, they will stay updated with the policies and handle the move efficiently.
For instance, if you want to hire movers to move specialty items, you want to know their skills.
To be sure about their expertise, you can ask the moving company these few questions about their training and experience:
- Are your movers skilled enough to handle these types of moves?
- What training do you provide to your movers?
- What certifications do your movers have?
5. Check Their Customer Service
Before you plan to hire a professional moving company, you would want to know that you’ll receive excellent client service support from the selected moving company.
Clear Communication
Open and clear communication is important; choose a moving company that is proactive. You would want to get a quick response to your questions when you talk to them and know that your questions will be answered.
Your initial conversation with them will give you a clear idea of how well they address your concerns and answer your questions.
Ask yourself these questions: Are they polite? Do they acknowledge your needs? Do they provide you with detailed answers to your questions?
Timelines and Scheduling
Inquire about the estimated timeline of your move and the availability of moving services on the dates you would want to move. Confirm about their punctuality and reliability.
Ask if the company can work with you to create a detailed moving plan to ensure that the job is completed on time.
6. Beware of Scams and Cheap Moving Companies
Beware of potential scams or hiring cheap moving companies; you may feel you’re getting a good price, but some companies will try to charge you additional fees or request a cash deposit upfront.
Make sure to get a clear estimate from the moving company and understand which services are included and which are additional.
Genuine and reputable companies won’t ask you to make an advance payment before they have provided the services to you, but they should be transparent with you about the pricing.
Here are some other signs that will prove that the moving company is not reliable:
- Arriving late or not showing up at the location on the given time
- Inability to answer your questions
- It is not registered or doesn’t have a license
7. Check The Documentation
Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to check the documentation, including the contract, terms, and any guarantees provided by the moving company. You will want to check it thoroughly and clarify any questions you might have.
Read The Contract Twice
Make sure you go through the terms and conditions of the contract by reading it twice.
There are certain essential things you want to look for, including liability coverage, charges for additional services, cancellation policy, etc.
This will give you a clear picture of what is included in the terms, and you will understand your roles and responsibilities better.
It is important to know what you are agreeing to and what the moving company’s obligations are.
If you feel you have any doubts or questions, don’t leave it till later to resolve them. It’s important to clarify them before you sign the contract.
These are a few important questions you’d want to ask before signing a contract with a moving company in Houston:
- What happens if my belongings get damaged during the move?
- Do you charge additional fees for any of the services?
- What items you can’t move?
- What if I want to cancel my move? Would there be any extra charges?
Final Thoughts
Finding the right movers in Houston is not a difficult task unless you research well and then choose a good moving company.
Get multiple moving quotes from different moving companies and compare them to find what services you can get from each one of them and which one would suit you the best.
Check their licensing and insurance, and focus on the crucial area of customer service where you can find out more about how they communicate and deliver you the best possible results.
If you hire trained professional movers, they will not only make your moving process seamless but also help you pack, load, and transport your belongings safely to your new home.
From making a moving checklist to moving a 2-bedroom apartment, the movers will handle it all, and all you have to do is sit back and relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to hire movers in Houston?
On average, the cost of hiring movers in Houston ranges between $675-$1500 for a one-bedroom apartment and if you are moving locally.
But if you are moving a one-bedroom apartment long-distance, then the average cost would be between $2,190-$9,680.
2. How much do commercial moving services cost in Houston?
If you are planning to hire commercial movers in Houston, then you should know that the overall cost depends on several factors, including the office size, the location, and how complex the move is.
Below is a breakdown of the estimated costs of different office sizes:
| Office Size | Approximate Moving Cost |
|---|---|
| Small-sized office | $500-$1500 |
| Medium-sized office | $1500-$3000 |
| Large-sized office | $3000 and more |
3. Should I hire a moving company that provides me with the cheapest quote?
Hiring a moving company that provides you with the cheapest quote isn’t a good decision. There might be many loopholes in their services.
Either the moving services you receive won’t be up to the mark, or they might charge you extra for some services that weren’t discussed before.
