What do you need to know about your moving company? You're ready to hire a contractor. But you're not sure which residential moving services pro is the best option. Take a look at the top questions to ask before you hire residential movers.

Do You Specialize In Local or Long-Distance Moves?

How far away from your current home do you need to move? If you will stay in the same general area, local movers can help you to transport everything from your old home to the new one. This type of mover should have extensive knowledge of the local area, making it easy for them to navigate the streets and find the best route from point A to point B.

If you plan to move outside of the local area or have an inter-state move planned, you will need a long-distance mover. As the name implies, long-distance contractors transport residential belongings over long distances. You will need this type of mover if you plan to move across your home state or into another state.

Do You Have the Right Registration?

According to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must register with the agency. This means a residential long-distance mover who crosses state lines must have a U.S. DOT number. If the inter-state mover is not registered and does not have a DOT number, you will need to continue your long-distance contractor search.

Even though inter-state movers must register with the FMCSA and have a U.S. DOT number, local contractors do not need to follow this regulation. If your move will only take you across town or to a nearby city, you won't need to ask your potential future mover about this registration.

Do You Have Local References?

While this question might seem like one that you would only need to ask a local mover, it's something that any contractor you hire (for either local or long-distance jobs) should provide. A long-distance move may span several states—but it starts in your local area. This means the moving company should have verifiable references from customers who live near you.

Look for references or reviews that include specific facts instead of generalizations. These could include the names of employees a past customer found extremely helpful, services the company offers (such as piano moving or art handling), and information about the contractor's reliability.

Some references may offer general reviews of the company's prices. But don't expect to find specific dollar amounts. The amount a move costs depends on several factors, such as the weight of the to-move haul, the complexity of the service, the number of items, and the distance. This makes it difficult to compare the cost of your move to what someone else paid for their service.

For more info, contact a local company like D & R Movers.