Is your college-aged child moving in a different city or state? If your young adult child is moving into their first off-campus apartment, but they're not sure how to find reputable residential movers, take a look at the ways you can help your college student to find a residential mover.

Talk To Other Parents

Do you know the parents of other students who attend your child's school? Whether you're still in touch with your child's freshman roommate's mom and dad, you met a group of people at orientation who you are close with, or you're part of a social media group page, reach out to other adults who either live locally or have expert/insider knowledge of area businesses. These parents can provide first-hand or real-world references and guide you to a company that can meet the college student's needs.

Look for Real Reviews

What should you do if you don't know anyone who lives in the immediate area? If you don't have local contacts, you may need to rely on reviews. While this isn't ideal, it can help you to weed out the less desirable contractors. 

Avoid generic reviews or anonymous references. A review that could go under any moving company's name won't give you the specifics you need. Look out for overly simplified references or one to two-word statements, such as, "Awesome mover" or, "Great company." These reviews don't provide facts or information on the mover's services and the quality of the work. Instead, search for paragraph-length reviews that refer to specific services the company offers, staff members (by first name), or scenarios that showcase the company's ability to effectively and efficiently get the job done.

Ask Your Child To Call

Now that your teenager is a young adult, it's time for them to step up and take some responsibility for their own life. Even though you can start the selection process and help them along the way, ask your college-aged child to call some of the movers on your (or their) list. If they're not sure what to ask a would-be potential mover, provide them with a few starters such as:

• What type of estimate do you provide? There are three primary types of moving estimates: binding, non-binding, and binding not-to-exceed. A binding not-to-exceed is a popular pick and won't result in extra charges if the actual weight of the to-move items exceeds the estimated weight.

• How do you handle breakables? Your child may not have artwork to move, but they could have breakables. They should ask the mover how they handle electronics or other fragile items that require transportation.

• Are there additional charges? Don't let the end cost of a move surprise your family. Your child needs to know every possible additional charge the mover might add on.

Along with these questions, create a list of concerns that focus on your child's individual moving needs. If the contractor can't or won't answer the questions, your child should continue the search.