Hiring the wrong moving and storage company in Bloomington costs more than the move itself. Damaged furniture, last-minute cancellations, surprise charges on move day, and no-shows are the most common complaints against movers, and most people only find out they hired the wrong company when it is too late to do anything about it. Working with a dependable moving company can help you avoid these common pitfalls.
This guide walks through every step of finding, vetting, and booking a mover in Bloomington so you know exactly what to look for before you commit.
Step 1: Confirm the Company Is Licensed, Insured, and Bonded
This is the first question to ask, and a legitimate company answers it immediately. In Minnesota, all moving companies must hold a valid state license and carry liability and cargo insurance. If a mover cannot confirm they are licensed, insured, and bonded, stop the conversation there.
For moves crossing state lines out of Bloomington, the mover must also be registered with the FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and hold a valid USDOT number. You can verify any interstate mover at fmcsa.dot.gov.
Daymakers Moving and Storage is fully licensed, insured, and bonded and is FMCSA compliant for interstate moves. They are also BBB Accredited, HomeAdvisor Top Rated, and hold the Angi 2022 Super Service Award.
Step 2: Check Reviews for Volume and Consistency
A 5-star rating with 15 reviews tells you very little. A sustained record of 800-plus reviews across Google and Facebook, covering different service types and move sizes over multiple years, tells you something real about how a company operates at scale.
Look for reviews that mention specific crew members, reference repeat bookings, and describe how problems were handled. Daymakers has 800-plus five-star reviews on Google and Facebook. 98 percent of customers say they would recommend them to friends or family.
- Sharon S. on Google: “Great experience from start to finish, from the virtual review, to the estimate, to the polite and attentive crew.”
- Signe S. on Google: “Daymakers saved the day after my movers canceled on me. They fit me in at the last minute and the team they sent was fast and careful.”
- K.T. on Google: “A cross-country move is not easy, but the crew at Daymakers did an excellent job of communicating expectations while delivering friendly, quality service.”
Step 3: Require a Walkthrough Before Accepting Any Quote
The most common source of moving day disputes is a quote that did not reflect the actual job. Some movers give a low number over the phone, then add charges once they arrive.
A mover worth hiring will want to see your home before quoting, either in person or through a live video call. This protects both parties and eliminates guesswork.
Daymakers does not provide phone-only estimates. Every quote, for any service and any size of move, follows an in-person or live video walkthrough. Multiple customers across their review base specifically mention finishing under the original estimate.
Step 4: Understand Exactly What Is Included
Full-service moving means different things at different companies. Before signing anything, get clear answers on the following:
- Packing: Is it included in the base price, or is it a separate charge?
- Packing materials: Does the mover supply boxes and wrap, or do you need to source your own?
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly: Standard or add-on?
- Stairs, long carries, or elevator waits: Are these billed separately?
- Storage: If your new place is not ready, what happens to your belongings, and at what cost?
- Cancellation policy: What happens if your timeline shifts?
Write down what you are told during the quote conversation and confirm that it appears in your written contract before signing.
Step 5: Match the Company to Your Specific Move Type
Not every moving company in Eau Claire Wi handles every type of move to the same standard. Confirm the company has experience with your specific situation before booking.
Bloomington residents commonly need one of the following: a local residential move within the city or to a nearby suburb, a long-distance relocation to another state, a senior move with full packing and unpacking, an apartment move that requires elevator reservations and building coordination, or a commercial office relocation that needs to happen around business hours.
Daymakers covers all of these under one provider. Local moving services, long-distance moving, packing services, unpacking, climate-controlled storage, commercial moving, senior moving, apartment moving, same-day moving, piano moving, and gun safe moving are all available without coordinating a second company.
Step 6: Understand Long-Distance Rules if You Are Moving Out of State
If you are moving from Bloomington to another state, your mover must be FMCSA-licensed and hold a USDOT number. Ask whether your belongings will travel on a private truck or be consolidated with other customers’ shipments. Shared loads mean longer and less predictable delivery windows.
Daymakers uses private trucks for all long-distance moves from Bloomington. Your load travels separately from other customers, which means a more reliable timeline and no risk of mixed shipments.
Step 7: Book Early, Especially in Peak Season
The Bloomington and Twin Cities moving market gets tight from May through September, aligned with lease cycles and school-year transitions. Most reputable movers in the area book up 3 to 6 weeks in advance during peak season. For long-distance moves, 4 to 8 weeks of lead time is recommended.
That said, some companies have accommodated same-day and last-minute requests. Daymakers has stepped in for customers whose original movers canceled. Call (651) 461-1951 directly if your timeline is short.
Step 8: Get Everything in Writing Before Move Day
A verbal agreement means nothing if the price changes when the truck arrives. Your written contract should include the move date and start time, pickup and delivery addresses, a complete list of services included, crew size, total price or binding estimate, the cancellation and rescheduling terms, and the claims process for damaged items.
Do not sign with any company that resists putting agreed terms in writing.
Bloomington-Specific Details Worth Knowing
Buildings along France Ave, Penn Ave, and near the Mall of America corridor often require advance elevator reservations. Some charge a deposit. Confirm this with building management before your move date, not the week of.
Parking for a moving truck in denser areas near the 494 corridor may require a permit from the City of Bloomington. Contact the Public Works department at least two weeks out to confirm whether your address needs one.
Bloomington sits in the south metro of Minneapolis, bordered by Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, and Eagan. Road access is generally straightforward for moving trucks, but some neighborhoods near Hyland Lake and the west end have narrower access roads worth noting when you book.
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