After deciding that you want a full service moving company to handle your move, the next challenge is figuring out which mover to choose. Asking the right questions will help you whittle down your choices for professional movers who will also meet your budget. Keep in mind that price shouldn’t be the only factor on which you base your decision. Paying slightly more for professional movers is a relatively small expense compared to taking a chance with a less expensive company you don’t fully trust.

Ask these 11 questions to every moving company before choosing one:

1. What makes your moving company different? Every moving company should have two or three strong selling points that make them better than the competition. If they can’t handle this softball question, they will probably struggle with the harder ones. Watch out for companies that engage in very negative sales tactics, such as bad-mouthing their competition or telling you horror stories. Unprofessional movers usually resort to these tactics, while a reputable company sells itself based on what it can do.
   
   
2. Can I see proof of your local or interstate moving license and insurance? Never put your items at risk with an unlicensed company; there are simply too many things that can wrong. There are plenty of movers to choose from who meet the professional standards required to be licensed.
   
   
3. Can I get the owner’s name and the official company name and mailing address? Make sure that all of the information you’re given matches the licensing information. If something were to ever go wrong during your move, you don’t want to end up trying to figure out whom to contact with questions or concerns. If a mover isn’t comfortable giving you any of this basic information, it’s a big red flag indicating that something may not be right with them.
   
   
4. Do you carry workers’ compensation insurance? Your moving company should be able to provide a certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation. If a moving company does not carry this insurance, you could find yourself liable if one of their employees or contract workers is injured on your property. Workers’ compensation adds to moving costs, but it protects you if someone is injured during your move. If you get a very low quote, there is a good chance that the company does not have insurance protection or is using less-qualified employees who do not work full time.
   
   
5. How many years has the moving company been in business? And how many years of experience do the foreman, packing crew and driver have? Does the company do background checks on their crew and train them? There is no substitute for experience, and you want to know a little about the people who will be handling your items.
   
   
6. Can you give me recent references or testimonials from former customers? A moving company that wants to build a good reputation will actively seek out customer references. They should be eager to provide both letters and a list of former customers with whom you can speak.
   
   
7. What is your delivery and service record? If a moving company does not have this information, it means that they don’t measure it or are afraid to share it with potential customers.
   
   
8. What is your current Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating? While it’s not a perfect source, the BBB is a third party organization that tracks consumer complaints. You can find information about a moving company at www.bbb.com. Even the best moving companies will have some complaints against them. The more moves they do each year, the higher the likelihood for complaints, seeing that things sometimes do go awry during a move. Review the nature of the complaints and how the company handled them. A good company will try to resolve any complaints, while unprofessional movers will not even bother with them. Choose a company with a BBB rating that is “satisfactory” or better.
   
   
9. Are you a member of the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) or a local association? Most professional companies will be members of AMSA (for interstate moves) and their local association (for local moves). Their participation in these associations indicates a level of professionalism and willingness to stay abreast of the latest trends within their industry.
   
   
10. What type of equipment and materials will you use? A good moving company should have all the right equipment, including trucks, trailers, shuttles and special packing materials, to handle your particular move. If you have a lot of packing, make sure the movers use the proper packing supplies and moving boxes.
    
    
11. Can you explain your estimate in detail and why it’s higher or lower than your competitors’ quotes? After you get pricing from 3 to 4 quality moving companies, it’s time to take a good look at what you’re getting for your buck. Whenever you get a quote that is far lower than your other estimates, you should question why the mover is able to do a job for so much less than everyone else? It’s highly likely that you will end up paying much more later. The cost or any other problems you have during the move will make you regret your choice of mover. Moving is like most services that you buy: You get what you pay for.
    
    

A reputable and qualified mover expects to hear these questions and is more than happy to answer them. Their replies will tell you a lot about their professionalism and willingness to satisfy you long before they pack your first item.