Before hiring interstate movers, you should ask about their professional standards. Professional movers are required to be members of certain professional associations. By becoming a member, an interstate moving company automatically gets a special certification called the ProMover. This designation means that the Interstate Moving Company is reputable and professional.

Should you hire a professional interstate mover?

A professional interstate mover will be insured and have all the required equipment needed to transport your items. They will also arrive on time with fully loaded trucks and will have uniformed employees. You won’t have to lift a finger during the move. You can just sit back and relax while they take care of the logistics.

Before you hire a moving company, be sure to take an inventory of what you’re moving. You can do this mentally or in writing. When you speak to a relocation company, answer their intake questions honestly. They may ask for a video inventory or an in-person inventory. Make sure to provide a list of your belongings so that they can accurately estimate the size of your shipment.

Should you check online reviews of movers?

Online reviews are a great way to check out the reputation of an interstate moving company. You should see both positive and negative reviews and try to find patterns. If a moving company has lots of complaints, this is a sign that it may not be a good choice for you.

Most companies will offer free quotes, but these are only estimates and may not be accurate. An actual estimate will require a survey of your home or apartment. Estimates can be either binding or non-binding. According to the FMCSA, binding estimates are not allowed to exceed 110% of the original estimate. You should also check the weight of your shipment. Make sure you get weight tickets from the moving company.

Should you change locks after a move?

One of the first steps after moving into your new home is changing the locks. This is necessary because previous owners or home service providers may have duplicate keys. Another reason to change locks is to keep your home safe and secure. Your previous home may have been broken into or you may have had a realtor enter your home with a key. If you’ve experienced either of these issues, call a locksmith to change the locks. Also, remember to check for smoke detectors and install additional ones. You may want to consider adding a carbon monoxide detector as well.

Changing locks is a great way to protect your home and your belongings. You can even set up a master key system, so you’ll have only one key for each lock. Although it’s time-consuming, the process can save you a lot of trouble in the future. Rekeying locks involves making internal changes to the lock and making the old key obsolete.