Moving from one home to another is a very common experience for most of us in the United States—in fact, it’s estimated that the average person moves over eleven times in the course of his or her lifetime. As typical as moving might be, planning and executing a project doesn’t come easily for most people—and hiring professional moving services is a wonderful option that can save homeowners plenty of time and effort.

Hiring a Berkeley moving company for a hassle-free move is one of the best ways to enjoy the experience of relocating to a new home. However, even finding the right professional mover can be a tedious and time-consuming task, and it’s important to know what your options are—and how to find the best ones—before hiring anyone to help you move.

There are two ways to hire a reputable moving company for your relocation: contacting a company directly and hiring a moving broker. If you’re not sure what a moving broker is or how it differs from the other option available, take a look at this article on hiring a moving broker from our expert movers at Foster Van Lines before choosing your next moving company.

What is a Moving Broker?

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Simply put, a moving broker is an agent or a middleman that connects home movers or customers with the right Berkeley moving company. Brokers provide an estimate, allow moving companies they are affiliated with to bid for the job and arrange for the move.

Basically, they can be regarded as sales agents. The broker helps the customer book a move under certain terms, and then sells the option to a reputable and available moving company. Moving brokers can also provide an estimate for moving projects, and accept deposits on behalf of the professional movers. By letting brokers arrange your move, you can enjoy greater convenience and efficiency, and might possibly even take advantage of exclusive deals that won’t be available to you if you hire a moving company directly.

What is the Difference Between a Moving Company and a Moving Broker?

A moving broker’s main job is to connect the customer with the moving company. Brokers are not authorized to do the actual packing and transportation of goods, and therefore, they do not have moving equipment, trucks, and a team of professional movers. Because the moving broker will not be the one to perform the actual move, the broker will not be held responsible for your items.

Meanwhile, a moving company has the logistics and operational capability to perform the actual move of your belongings. Such companies have special facilities, moving supplies and equipment, a fleet of vehicles, and a crew of professional packers, movers, consultants, and drivers.

Things to Consider Before Working With Moving Brokers

If you are planning to hire a moving broker to connect you with a reliable Berkeley moving company, consider this checklist first:

Work with moving brokers that are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Ensure that they only work with moving companies registered with the FMCSA
The moving broker should openly disclose their physical location, MC (Motor Carrier) number, and their status as a moving broker and not a moving company
The broker must provide a list of moving companies they are affiliated with
Make sure that the broker has written contracts with these professional movers
Ask for a copy of the booklet “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” and the brochure “Ready to Move” by the FMCSA
The assigned mover must do an in-house survey of your household items and provide an accurate estimate of the costs

Your Trusted Berkeley Moving Company

Want to skip the hassle of finding the perfect Berkeley moving company or the costs of hiring a moving broker? Check out Foster Van Lines and learn more about how we can help you.

Since 1941, we have been providing professional residential, commercial, industrial, and specialized moving and storage services. At present, we cater to 48 states and have received various awards and accolades such as the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

To learn more about our services at Foster Van Lines, give us a call to speak to an agent. Or, to get started with a free in-home estimate for your moving project, fill out our quick online form to receive more information.