Moving is stressful enough without worrying whether you hired the right company. In Arizona, movers range from established, licensed crews to fly-by-night operations and out-of-state brokers, and the difference tends to show up on moving day. Before you sign anything, here are six things worth checking, plus a quick pre-hire checklist to protect yourself.
- Is the Company Licensed?
Start by making sure the company is actually registered to do business in Arizona. You can verify this with the Arizona Corporation Commission. (Midas Moving is registered with the state and listed as Midas Storage and Moving Corp.) A licensed, established company has a track record you can look up, which a temporary operation usually doesn’t.
- How Is Their Customer Service?
Pay attention to who you’re talking to when you call for a quote. Are you speaking with an experienced representative, or just someone taking calls on a cell phone? A good sign is whether they ask intelligent, relevant questions about your furniture, your items, and the conditions at both homes, rather than simply quoting you an hourly rate. Those questions are how an experienced company makes sure your move is planned and priced accurately.
- Do They Use Full-Time Professional Movers?
Ask whether the company staffs your move with trained, full-time professional movers or with labor-pool personnel and day laborers. Full-time crews who move for a living handle your belongings with more skill and care, and they’re accountable to the name on the truck.
- Will You Get a Scheduled Arrival Time?
A professional mover should give you a start time with a one-hour arrival window, not a vague “we’ll be there sometime in the morning.” A real arrival window respects your time and is a good indicator of how organized the company is.
- Are You Dealing With a Broker?
Established, reputable moving companies market themselves and don’t need to buy leads through brokers. Brokers are middlemen who sell customer leads to movers and collect a fee, which usually means higher costs for you. Worse, when you book through a broker you often don’t know which company will actually show up at your door. The best movers don’t use brokers, so you always know exactly who you’re dealing with.
Before You Hire: A Quick Checklist
Once you’ve narrowed it down, run through this checklist before you commit:
- Investigate the company first – check its record with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org), look for lawsuits in your local justice courts (in Maricopa County, search the online court docket), and read online reviews.
- Be cautious of movers who demand a large or non-refundable down payment, or who only take cash. A small, refundable deposit to hold your date is normal; a big upfront payment is a red flag.
- Get the exact price in writing. Ask for a written statement of charges ahead of time, and don’t hire anyone who refuses.
- Ask about insurance and the company’s repair or replacement policy.
- Have someone present when your belongings are picked up and delivered.
- Inspect items as they’re delivered, and document anything missing or damaged.
- If a mover ever tries to withhold delivery of your belongings, contact the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures at (602) 771-4920.
The Midas Moving Difference
At Midas Moving, we check every one of these boxes. We’re a licensed, family-owned Arizona company that’s been moving families and businesses since 2005. We staff every job with experienced full-time crews, give you a clear written quote with no hidden fees, and never use brokers. We only ask for a small $100 refundable deposit to reserve your date, and it goes straight toward the cost of your move.
Ready to compare? See what is included in our local and residential moving and long-distance moving services, or read our Gilbert moving cost guide. We serve the whole Phoenix Valley, including Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, and Scottsdale.
