Research Movers Before Hiring Them.  These Are Some Red Flags:

• They give an estimate by phone or email, when an in-person estimate or virtual is required.
• They require or demand a large deposit.
•  They do not have a physical address or license on the website, which is required.
• They use a generic name when answering the phone, such as “Movers”.
• They are not listed with the BBB.
• They did not provide the legally required brochure, Important Notice to Consumers
• Many bad reviews on Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, etc.; a few can be overlooked.
• If they arrive in an unmarked truck, that could be a red flag; verify the mover.
• If you’re quoted a very low price that seems too good to be true, it probably is false.
• There is no DOT or license number on their website, or it doesn’t match the Federal and/or State websites.

Reasons NOT to Hire an Unlicensed Mover:

• If the mover is unlicensed, the truck can be towed or impounded with a consumer’s property on it, requiring you to hire a new mover or rent a truck to complete your move.
• In the event of home damage or other unexpected problems the mover may not have proper insurance to repair your home.
• If you trust all your possessions to an unlicensed company, there’s no guarantee that you will pay the amount you were quoted, or if you’ll ever see them again.
• Without a tariff of rates on file, whatever they charge cannot be legally verified.
• Without workmen’s compensation insurance, if a worker is injured on your property, you can be sued.
• If a mover is violating the law, they’re probably not screening & training workers.
• If workers are not receiving appropriate wages, they’re probably not background checked, possibly inexperienced workers.

KEEP IN MIND…All NJ licensed movers:

• Are licensed by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to Protect Consumers from Fraud.
• Have their company name and town lettered on their trucks.
• Will come to your home to give you an in-person written estimate or virtual.
• Are registered with the State to do business in New Jersey.
• Have a tariff of their rates on file with NJ Consumer Affairs
• Are domiciled in New Jersey and pay their employees mandated benefits.
• Have minimum required insurance, but most movers have more.

For consumers moving within New Jersey, check if the mover is licensed before you hire them.

A recent 2019 article by New Jersey Family magazine ranked New Jersey towns by “Best Place New Jersey Towns for Families”.  It was an interesting read, factoring in many types of data such as schools, affordability and diversity.  It was interesting to note that of the top 20, many were local to our area in Morris County, Somerset County and Hunterdon County.  Some of the towns local to us that we would like to highlight are listed below.

Montgomery, Somerset County – Montgomery Township includes zip codes for Skillman, Blawenburg and Belle Mead and a small section served by Princeton.  Montgomery Township gained the distinction of one of the best NJ towns for families according to New Jersey Family Magazine.  They described it as “a bucolic Somerset County township that offers a little bit of everything in its 32 square miles.”  The population is about 23,000 and the township offers many parks and highly rated schools.

Bedminster, Somerset County – Bedminster Township was the second best town in Somerset County for families and ranked at number three overall in the entire state of New Jersey. This township includes the towns of Bedminster Far Hills, Gladstone and Pottersville. Nestled amid the rolling hills of New Jersey’s horse country, Bedminster Township boasts an array of parklands, farms, trout streams, riding trails, historic churches, and even Donald Trumps’ golf course.  It is local to great shopping and easy access to major highways Route 78, Route 206 and Route 287.  The township borders Peapack-Gladstone and Far Hills to the northeast, Bernards Township to the east, and Bridgewater Township to the south in Somerset County, Readington Township to the southeast and Tewksbury Township to the west in Hunterdon County, and Chester Township to the north in Morris County.  Population is about 8150.

Mendham Twp., Morris County – Mendham Township earned the distinction of being the top Morris County town for families, according to New Jersey Family magazine. They described it as “the kind of place where the cashiers at Kings on East Main St. recognize you immediately, and where Back to School night is more an end-of-summer reunion. Residents love the fact that it’s such a peaceful, quiet town without much traffic.”  Mendham township comprises the borough of Mendham and the town of Brookside and has a population of about 5,800.

Bernards Twp., Somerset County – According to New Jersey Family magazine, Bernards Township was the third best town in Somerset County for families and ranked at number five overall in the entire state of New Jersey.  It comprises the towns of Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Liberty Corner, Lyons and Far Hills and has a population of about 27,000.

Five Townships in Hunterdon County were also in the top 10 towns for families according to New Jersey Family Magazine.  They are Raritan Township (comprising Flemington, NJ), Clinton Township (Clinton, Annandale and Lebanon), Union Township (Pittstown, Pattenburg, Jutland, Perryville), East Amwell Township (Ringoes, Stockton), and Bethlehem Township (Asbury, Bloomsbury, Clinton, Hampton, Glen Gardner).

Other notable best towns for families were Harding in Morris County and Chatham Borough, also in Morris County.

 If you’re planning on moving into (or out of) New Jersey, Call the New Jersey Moving Experts at Fast Moving Company.  We can assist you with everything from planning your move to packing your belongings and even helping you stage your home for fast selling and storing your belongings as needed.  

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