Relocating your household or office is stressful enough without worrying about the integrity and reliability of your movers. Unless you plan to tackle your move on your own, you’ll want to choose a professional business that takes your time, efforts, and budget into account.

With that said, you have two choices—hire a moving broker or hire a moving company. Although these two types of moving entities are immensely different, they also share a few similarities.

The Essentials

First, it’s important to know the essential elements of a moving broker as opposed to a moving company. By understanding these fundamentals, you could save yourself a good deal of time on research—and money.

·  Moving brokers arranges the transportation of your household goods with a moving company. They do not own their own moving vans or equipment, nor do they employ a crew of movers.

·  Moving companies employs full- and part-time professional movers to transport your belongings and provide additional relocation services. They own a fleet of trucks and can be agents for large moving companies such as Allied Van Lines.

The Differences

Now that we know the basics, we can explore the differences between moving brokers and moving companies.

·  Moving brokers generally conduct consultations by phone or email, rather than in person. They use the information obtained to estimate the cost of your move, and then submit their estimate to a number of moving companies that will bid on your job. Come moving day, it’s possible that you won’t know which moving company will arrive at your door—or if you’ll incur additional costs.

·  Moving companies typically provide a more hands-on experience when planning and executing relocations. In most cases, they will send a company representative to your home or business to conduct a consultation, inspect your items, and provide a detailed relocation estimate. Depending on the moving company, you may also be assigned a move coordinator that can answer questions and keep you up-to-date throughout the moving process.

The Similarities

Both moving brokers and moving companies must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In addition, moving brokers are required to use moving companies that maintain FMCSA registration.

Whether you choose a moving broker or a moving company, you should also expect to receive:

·  A written estimate of moving costs

·  A Ready to Move brochure and Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet

·  Written notice on how to access the mover’s tariff

·  Information about handling claims

Are you ready to start planning for an upcoming relocation? At Prestige Moving & Storage, the roots of our moving company date back to 1961, and our A+ rating with the BBB is a result of our continued dedication to exceptional customer service. Call us today to learn more about our comprehensive household moving services or find out how we can help with your office relocation. You can also complete our quick online form right now to schedule a free, on-site relocation estimate.