Selecting a Mover in Fort Myers

Choosing a new apartment is a big undertaking. The first and most essential step is locating the right place, which includes not just the dwelling but also the community. The next major step is then finding and hiring the right mover to protect your precious belongings. Here's how to select the right one in Fort Myers.

Contact Your Network

Your friends and family may not be available to help you move, but that doesn't mean they won't have recommendations for you. Ask your friends, family members and coworkers to tell you which movers did a great job for them. Personal recommendations are often more reliable than any advertisement.

Start Vetting the Front Runners

Once you've come up with a list of good prospects, it's time to start looking more seriously into their background. Check out sites like Angie's List and Yelp for reviews, and it's always a good idea to check the Better Business Bureau. The website Moving Scam can also give you a heads-up about companies you may want to avoid.

Get In-Person Estimates

The cost of hiring a mover can vary based on the size and number of items you need to move. While you can come up with a ballpark range of what needs to be moved, the only way for a moving company to provide a reasonably accurate estimate is to see those items first hand. Once you've selected three or four potential moving companies, it's time to call and ask them to come out and give you an in-person estimate.

Make sure you don't hold anything back when the moving companies come out to provide an estimate. Whether you have an extra storage space like a garage or basement or an off site rental storage unit, the movers need to know about it all to give you an accurate estimate.

Ask Some Important Questions

Price isn't the only serious consideration when hiring a moving company. Here are some additional questions you may want to ask so you can narrow your choices:

• How long has your company been in business?
• Can you provide any references from former customers?
• What are your US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and motor carrier license numbers?
• Do your own employees do the moves, or do you hire subcontractors?

With a little bit of extra investigation and advanced preparation on your part, you'll be able to find the best mover to help you get settled in your new apartment in Fort Myers.