When you're looking to relocate, you want to be sure to find ideal movers in Portland to entrust your move to. Luckily, there are recognizable signs that a moving company can help you transition seamlessly into your new home.

In this article, we’ll show you three ways to gauge if a Portland moving company is a good fit. We cover what to look for in customer reviews to spot winners from losers. We’ll explain why you should ask for a quote upfront and the value of talking to a customer service rep during the planning stage.

What Customer Reviews Can Teach Us

One of the first resources you have for learning more about the quality of a moving company is their online customer reviews. It's best to do your research using multiple sites to avoid collecting biased information and get a broad perspective. Some of the more popular and reputable review sites include:

• Yelp
• Google Reviews
• Trustpilot
• Thumbtack
• Angi

Your ideal moving company will have an aggregate rating between 4.5 and 5.0 stars. This is a good indicator of their overall service quality and their ability to make customers happy.

    Look for companies with an overall rating between 4.5 and 5.0 stars.

Don’t necessarily eliminate companies with a few one-star reviews in the last 90 days. Some customers will leave a one-star review regardless of how well (or not) the move actually was as a way to negotiate a refund. 

In these cases, oftentimes the company is not at fault. Be sure to read the full review and make a judgment call yourself. A consistent stream of one-star reviews over time, however, is a red flag.

Request a Free Quote

Contacting a moving company for a free quote or estimate is a great way to determine whether they truly have your best interest in mind. Not only does getting a quote provide you with an estimate of your payment it also allows you to interact with the staff.

Look for a residential moving company that can provide a ballpark estimate for different scenarios. Avoid companies with hidden fees and other costs like fuel surcharges and fees for PPE.

Online quotes are also valuable and can be easier and quicker to obtain than a face-to-face estimate.

Talk To a Support Representative

A great technique for finding ideal movers Portland is calling them and talking to a customer support agent.

Ask questions and try to determine exactly how they plan to support you on and leading up to moving day. If you’re moving on a weekend, verify they will have support agents available. Gauge if someone will be available by phone on your move day that can help solve potential problems quickly.

It is best to talk to a customer support agent to know how they will handle your move.

Check the company's website for phone and text support numbers. Companies that offer multiple ways to get help are those that more likely prioritize the customer experiences. 

Research the Claims Process

Claims are submitted by customers if any of their items are broken or lost by the moving company during transport. 

When comparing moving companies in Portland or movers in Beaverton, look into the details of each company’s claims process. 

Avoid companies with claims processes that are convoluted and confusing, as they may be unhelpful in the event of any damaged items.

With the information you've gathered from these sources, you can make an informed decision about which moving company is right for you.