If you have a household move coming up sometime soon, you may already be starting to search for a trusted moving company to help you make the transition. In order to avoid damaged items or timeline delays, most residential relocations require the assistance of a professional team.

In Wichita, Thomas Transfer & Storage is the team to beat for speedy, streamlined and stress-free moving experiences. With 80 years of experience under our belt, we know what it takes to execute a professional-grade relocation. Below, we outline what every customer should look for when determining the best mover for their relocation!

Ask for Mover Recommendations 

Any moving company will tell you that they prioritize customer satisfaction, so if you really want to know which movers can provide top-tier service, start by asking around! For local relocations, check with friends or family members who have moved recently, and see if they recommend utilizing the same household movers that they hired for their relocation. If you don't know anyone who has moved recently, consider reading through a company's past customer reviews to get an idea of what you can expect.

Is the Mover Licensed & Insured?

No matter how strongly someone recommends a mover, though, you still want to double-check that they are a licensed and insured team. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues an official US DOT number to each licensed interstate mover, so if you have a long-distance move planned, your moving company is required by law to be properly licensed and insured.

Check for Industry Accreditation

Any trade association will thoroughly-vet its members, and the moving and storage industry is no exception. The premier, federal-level moving and storage association is the American Trucking Associations Moving and Storage Conference, so if you see that your moving company has the "ProMover" emblem, you should rest assured that they offer legitimate and ethical services. Other forms of accreditation that are green flags include:

  • Better Business Bureau Accreditation
  • Membership With State-Level Associations
  • Agency With a Parent Moving Company

Watch Out for Common Red Flags

In addition to all these aspects that you want to see out of a moving company, there are plenty more that should warn you against their services. While you're doing your research to determine the good qualities a mover possesses, you should simultaneously be on the lookout for the following red flags to ensure you don't run into any problems before, during or after your move:

  • Don't trust any moving company that asks for a cash deposit ahead of moving day.
  • When movers can't give you straightforward answers, you may want to find another company.
  • If a team shows up late for your in-home estimate, chances are they'll run behind on moving day, too.
  • Be wary of surprisingly low estimates—most legitimate movers within the same area will have similar rates!
  • Movers that don't provide binding estimates aren't as trustworthy as teams that can give straightforward bids!

Since 1945, Thomas Transfer & Storage has been trusted by Kansas residents to quickly and seamlessly get them wherever they need to go. As both an agent of United Van Lines and a ProMover with the ATA MSC, we have continual access to state-of-the-art technology, resources and more, enabling us to guarantee successful moves. Get in touch with our BBB-accredited and A+ rated team today to find out more, and to receive a free estimate on our moving and storage services!