When preparing to relocate your home or business, one of the first steps is to decide whether to use a moving broker or a moving company. If you’re like many homeowners or business owners, it’s likely that you’re familiar with the services that moving companies can provide. However, do you know what a moving broker is?
Read on as we discuss exactly what to expect from a moving broker:
1. Moving Brokers Are Not Actually Movers
Rather than performing relocations, moving brokers negotiate your relocation with moving companies. They don’t own trucks or moving equipment, but instead bid out your relocation to select moving companies based on a relocation estimate that is completed by phone or online. Moving brokers collect a fee for their services once a bid is accepted.
2. Moving Brokers Can Be More Cost-Effective
Since multiple moving companies could bid on your relocation estimate, you could end up paying less by using a broker. Be sure to examine your moving estimate thoroughly to ensure that your broker has included an itemized list of your belongings and any additional services you require, such as packing, custom crating, or storage solutions.
3. Hiring a Moving Broker Has Some Risks
While relocating in general can be a challenging experience, there are some risks that are specific to working with a moving broker. A few of the risks to consider include:
· Finding yourself without a moving company due to a low relocation estimate or the lack of resources.
· Working with uninsured, unlicensed, or unprofessional movers.
· Occurring additional expenses if the broker does not provide a complete moving estimate.
· Your broker likely won’t accept any liability for the services the moving company performs.
4. Moving Brokers Must Adhere to Regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
In order to protect consumers who hire moving brokers, the FMCSA has set forth a number of regulations that brokers are required to follow. These include:
· Being registered with the FMCSA;
· Providing customers with the FMCSA Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet, and the Ready to Move brochure;
· Providing a list of moving companies they hire;
· Only hiring movers that are registered with FMCSA;
· Having a written agreement with the moving companies they hire;
· Including their physical company address, motor carrier number, and status as a broker in any advertisements;
· Requiring that the moving company that is hired to transport your goods perform a physical survey if they are located within a 50-mile radius of your property or their agent’s office.
For personal and attentive care of you and your belongings, Scobey Moving is a professional moving company with roots dating back to 1913. We offer awarding-winning local, long-distance, international, and commercial moving services at an affordable price, and as our slogan states: We’ll Move You Wherever—Whenever.
Call us today to speak with a friendly representative about your relocation needs, and we’ll happily answer any questions that you have about our moving process. You can also complete our convenient online form now to request an appointment for a free, no-obligation moving estimate.
