bay area mover

As the weather gets warmer and the summer season gets closer, you might be one of the many people in the United States that are planning a relocation. Summer is the most popular time of the year for moving and is also considered peak season for Bay Area movers and moving companies all around the country—which lasts from Mid-May to the first week of September.

While moving over the summer might be the most convenient time for the majority of us, peak season moving comes with many challenges. In this guide, our team from Metropolitan Van & Storage shares some of our expert advice on planning a successful move over the summer—and what you can do to protect yourself against some of the potential risks of moving during the peak season.

Protecting Yourself During a Move

During the peak season for moving (and during National Moving Month in May), moving scams are the most common. With so many customers seeking relocation services, unlicensed movers set up shop to take advantage of the people planning last-minute moves, offering low rates to attract potential customers.

Falling victim to a moving scam is the last thing you’d want to have to deal with during an already complicated time. Thankfully, avoiding this kind of disaster is easy to do, once you know what to look for in a reputable, trustworthy moving company. Here are a handful of tips we put together to ensure you’re protected when it’s time to hire your Bay Area movers.

Verify the Company

Anyone can pass themselves off as a moving company. With the increasingly more sophisticated efforts from scammers today, it’s important to be able to verify the moving company before you partner with them. The likelihood of dealing with a fake or fraudulent moving company is higher with any of the following:

  • The company lacks a physical address.
  • The company lacks a phone number.
  • Impossibly low rates or a price quoted that seems to good to be true.
  • Lack of federal motor carrier (MC) number.
  • MC number doesn’t match the FMCSA website.

The easiest way to be sure of the legitimacy of the moving company is if they are a certified ProMover. This certification ensures that the moving company is one that is licensed and insured while meeting safety and professionalism requirements.

Ask for Free Quotes and Compare Rates

The most important part of the quote is the in-home visit. Any mover that can offer you a guaranteed estimate or a final estimate without having stepped into your home is a mover you should pass on. Once you’ve found a few companies that offer this service, make sure to get at least three separate moving quotes from three separate moving companies to compare. Following this step will help you get the best deal while ensuring that all of your moving needs will be met during the move.

Look for Company Ratings

Another way to protect yourself from a bad experience is to check out the company’s ratings both on their website and elsewhere. A good rule of thumb is that if the ratings look amazing on their website but are lousy everywhere else, then chances are they won’t measure up to your needs and expectations. Don’t be afraid to check out the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as well. How they operate as a company will be indicative of how well and efficiently they treat their customers.

Stay Informed

If you’re moving across state lines, it’s important to know your rights, so you’re covered. There are two federal documents you should familiarize yourself with called Ready to Move and Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. Having these resources on hand will help you in the event anything occurs during relocation, whether it’s negative or positive. Your mover should provide these documents to you as the moving process progresses.

Consider Insurance Coverage Upgrades

Especially during long distance moves, it’s important to understand how much your mover is actually liable for. Full-value protection costs more but can be a huge money saver if something ends up damaged during the move. Minimum coverage only covers 60 cents per pound on average, so a 2-pound, priceless statue will only net you $1.20 back should something happen to it under that coverage level.

Moving with Metropolitan Van

At Metropolitan Van & Storage, we strive to deliver a superior moving experience for our customers by ensuring that the move is stress-free and smooth. Our customer-first mentality is what sets us apart from other moving companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, and how we’ve been able to achieve numerous milestones that showcase our willingness to go the extra mile.

We are a diamond-certified, BBB-accredited, AMSA, and ProMover-certified Bay Area moving company. What this means for our customers is that we’re equipped with a proven record delivering nothing short of the best for our customers for years. In addition, we have maintained a perfect 5.0 rating from Atlas Van Lines for over 40 years and achieved the “Atlas Superior Packing” award as well. With us, your move is in the best of hands.

If you’re interested in planning a summer move this year, give us a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional moving services or fill out our online form to schedule your free quote.