Moving to a new house is never easy, but with the right movers, the process can be seamless.

If your upcoming move is too all-encompassing and difficult to tackle yourself, you likely plan on hiring professional movers to handle the logistics of this task. Moving to a new house is never easy, but with the right movers, the process can be seamless. The trick is securing a reputable company that will ensure your belongings are packed, loaded, transported and unloaded with care.

Here are some moving tips on selecting the perfect company for your needs. Beware these top three things to avoid when hiring movers, in order to protect yourself, your home and your belongings.

  1. Cheaping out. There are many things in this world you can be frugal about – eating out, discount clothing and vacations – but a moving company is not one of them. Why? If you decide to hire a moving company on the cheap, you could put your belongings, and wallet, at risk. Sure, a particular company may fit your budget, but there’s usually a reason for that. This doesn’t mean that you can’t hire an affordable mover; it just means you shouldn’t simply choose a mover just because he’s got the cheapest rate. You have to do your research and hire one that’s affordable yet reputable and trustworthy as well. If you call five companies and one company has dirt-cheap prices compared with all the rest, consider this a red flag. Many less-than-reputable moving companies lure clients in with cheap prices, discounts and deals, then tack on extra charges at the end so that you get a big surprise when the final bill comes. Or – as is more often the case – you get sub-par, lazy service, possibly carried out by movers who aren’t licensed.
  2. Failing to get detailed pricing. The price you’re quoted over the phone isn’t always the final story. If you don’t ask about line items and any possible charges that could be incurred, you’re setting yourself up for a surprise at the end. Many companies out there may entice you with a low rate but look closer and you’ll see there are hidden charges, such as packing supplies fees, measurement fees, furniture disassembly, flight charges, elevator carry, and accessorial charges. These may include anything from packing/unpacking to extra pick-ups at a storage facility.
  3. Hiring a moving company over the phone. If you hire a mover sight unseen, you miss out on the opportunity to get a good read on their nature, how they conduct business, and how they treat you as a customer. In addition, you should always invite a prospective mover to your home so they can provide a more accurate estimate. They can take measurements, you can tell them what needs to be moved and where, and review all details of your request in person. This way, you can match the inventory and line items with the final price to make sure they jive. This also gives you a chance to show the movers what items are fragile and exactly how you want them packed, moved and transported.

Don’t get taken for a ride when it comes to moving. It’s imperative to do your research beforehand so you know exactly what you’re getting come moving day.