All the items in our house are treasures—they are what turns our house into our home. They all mean something to us and many have special stories attached to them. As such, it’s important that you find a moving company that recognizes the importance of your treasures, and is willing to take extra special care when moving them.

With so many moving companies out there, it can be hard to sort the good from the bad. Luckily, we know what it takes to spot a perfect moving company. Whether you’re moving overseas or just around the corner, here are our top tips on finding a great moving company.

FIDI, AFRA, FAIM, ISO
You should always ask to see evidence of these certifications. All of these certifications prove that a moving company has been tested by a respected, third-party organization and that their methodologies are up to the standards that these organizations espouse.

Extended Period Of Success
You want to go with a company that has been around for an extended period of time. You also want to go with a company that has been successful over the course of that time. Experience counts for everything when it comes to moving—there are always obstacles that pop up along the way and only an experienced company will have the expertise to navigate these obstacles.

Online Reputation
One of the advantages of the digital age is that you can gain a real insight into a company just by jumping online. Scroll through their Facebook page as well as online review sites like Google+ and see what other customers have experienced. Fellow customers will provide the most honest appraisal of the company you’re investigating. A company that cares for their customers will have a glowing online review portfolio.

You Need Insurance
Even the perfect moving companies have accidents. It’s an unavoidable part of life. The difference between perfect companies, and the rest, is that they offer their customers comprehensive insurance options that keep them covered no matter what happens. If they aren’t prepared to cover you, then look elsewhere—it really is as simple as that.

Look For More Than Private Insurance
Alongside private insurance you also want to make sure that the moving company you choose offers Public Liability Insurance as well as Worker’s Compensation. You don’t want to support a company that doesn’t look after it’s workers if they get injured and you really don’t want to support a company that doesn’t look after you and the general public if anything goes wrong during the move.

Scope Of Services
Depending on the scope of your move you may require a little more than just a moving truck and a couple of able-bodied movers. You should enquire about the types of services the company provides before you accept a quote. For example, if you have pets, does the company provide a pet transport service or a cleaning service? The more services the company provides the more you can rely on them and call them with whatever problem you have.

Guest post courtesy of Sally Wood, Kent Relocation Group