As a realtor, you help clients find their dream homes. But in reality, your job is so much more than that. You don’t just show them houses until they sign on the dotted line—you take your clients by the hand and navigate them through the entire home-buying process, from start to finish. And a critically important step of this process is the very last one: moving.

Especially for first-time home buyers, this is can be an overwhelming time, and choosing disreputable or unprofessional movers can turn an already-scary time into a serious nightmare. To help your clients choose the best moving company, discuss the importance of doing research and asking questions. Get the conversation started by having your clients consider these four questions to ask potential movers.

1. What services do you provide?

The first question is, of course, the most obvious. Many companies offer full-service moves, while others only handle the loading or physical transport. By asking this question early on, your clients won’t just learn about the movers—they’ll learn about themselves, too! After hearing all of the moving services available, they’ll get a better idea of what their priorities are and what services they can live without.

2. How do you calculate costs?

Cost is an important consideration for most families, so be sure to counsel them on shipping costs and extra fees. Keep in mind that shipping costs may be calculated differently depending on the distance of the move, so it’s important to ask how the costs are determined. In addition to the standard shipping charges, many companies add extra fees. Have your clients ask about fees for things like:

·  Fuel and transportation

·  Bulky, strangely shaped, or hand-carried items

·  Apartments with load-restricted elevators

·  Hard-to-reach residential areas

3. What liability coverage do you offer?

Another important consideration is liability coverage, which insures your clients’ property against damage during the move. Though liability coverage is mandatory for interstate moves, the minimum requirement is quite low (at $.60 per pound). If your clients are shipping high-value items like art or electronics, basic liability coverage is probably not sufficient, so they’ll need to make sure the movers offer several coverage options.

4. What are my payment options?

Again, depending on distance, payment methods and regulations vary. For instance, for interstate moves, full payment must be provided before the shipment can be unloaded. To avoid stress on moving day, make sure your clients know when payment is due and how they can pay: cash, check, money order, or credit card.

Refer Your Clients to Booth Moving for VIP Treatment!

If you’d like to take your realty services one step further, don’t just give your clients a list of questions to ask; refer them to a fully licensed and award-winning team with over 75 years of experience: Booth Moving.

By joining our “Premier Partner Program,” a referral network specifically for realtors, you can hire our expert movers at a special price and with VIP referral treatment for your clients. Give Booth Moving a call today to learn more about this program’s benefits—and start offering your clients the exclusive, five-star moving services they deserve!