Moving is both an exciting and stressful time, but choosing the right local movers will make things go a lot smoother. You may be tempted to do the job, which might be alright if you’re just moving down the road, have enough friends and family members to help you and you don’t have much stuff to move. However, a reputable moving company will see to it that everything is moved safely and in a timely fashion without you needing to take time off work or worry about damaging your possessions. Nonetheless, not all moving companies are equal, so you’ll want to take the following steps into account when choosing one.

Research

Start by getting some recommendations from friends, colleagues, and anyone else you trust. You can also ask your estate agent to point you in the right direction. Oftentimes, the small local movers offer the best service, and you shouldn’t make the mistake of assuming that only the large nationwide movers are worth working with.

Calculate the Costs

Many moving companies provide a calculator on their websites to help you figure out how much it will cost to move all of your items You need to get a rough estimate at least is the number of rooms in your home, the number of people living there and the distance to the new place. Nonetheless, there is no substitute for actually having someone from the company come to visit in person in order to give you a more accurate estimate.

Insure your Possessions

Most homeowners have contents insurance to protect themselves financially in the event of a disaster that claims some or all of their belongings. However, many insurance policies do not extend their coverage to moving or, for that matter, any items when they are taken away from the property. Some moving companies offer insurance, although it’s often safer to get a policy from a recognized underwriter. The company that provides your home and contents insurance policy may be able to help you as well. Alternatively, you can opt for a specialized company that only does movers’ insurance.

Review the Contract

Movers will provide you with a contract that should detail the agreement between you and the mover. It should also specify what they are going to move, where and when they are going to move it to, and the total cost. In the event that something goes wrong, this contract is designed to protect the legal interests of both parties, but you’ll need to make absolutely sure you understand it before signing.

Prepare Your Home

It’s never really too early to start preparing your home for the big move, even if it’s before you start looking around for a moving company. It can help to have everything well-organized if you’re going to have someone visit to provide a quote. It may also help to create a floor plan of the place you’re moving to so you can decide well in advance where everything is going to go.