Loading a truck with furniture and transporting it from one place to another may seem simple at first glance. That, however, is far from the truth. There are many elements that go into a successful move, and if you want to know how to start a moving company, you need to know what all of these elements are. For example, understanding the various challenges that you may face during a move is an important part of running a successful moving company. Therefore, today we are going to talk about the 9 biggest challenges for moving companies.
1. Cost of repairs and upkeep
Too many moving companies focus so much on getting the best moving experts, or the best moving company software, that they forget that their vehicles are the backbone of their operation. With that in mind, if you are just starting your moving company, the first obstacle you will face is likely to be the high cost of maintenance. If you don’t plan ahead for these things, you might end up in a situation where time is of the essence but you can’t get where you need to go because your car’s battery just died. That being said, this is just one of the issues that could happen. For this reason, you need to make sure that all of your vehicles are in tip-top shape at all times.
2. Traffic problems
When someone hires you, and you give them a date and time of delivery, that’s it. You have to stick to that timeframe no matter what. However, one of the biggest challenges for moving companies is traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can happen for myriad reasons, and unfortunately, all of them are out of your control. That being said, if you have a deadline and are in a traffic jam, you will have a huge problem. Traffic jams can often cause late deliveries, which your clients are not going to appreciate. For this reason, it is important to do extensive preparation for every move. Choose the main route, but also have a backup route in case you encounter problems in traffic.
3. Weather problems
Weather, just like traffic, is something that is out of your control. You may do everything right as a mover, but the weather still might not cooperate. Bad luck might strike when you least expect it due to the weather’s inherent unpredictability. However, it is also something you can overcome with enough preparation. Ensure the moving/delivery date will be safe by checking the forecast before committing to a certain day.
4. Poor communication
Once a project is underway, it can become difficult to communicate. This is why you need to prepare for this. Make sure that all of your employees are on the same page, and understand what’s at stake. Working as a team is extremely important, and for that to be possible, communication has to be possible. Therefore, make sure that you speak to your employees on a daily basis about the job at hand. This way, they will be able to anticipate any problems that may arise and be able to handle them effectively when they do come up.
5. Overestimating your capability
Movers can often be overconfident and accept relocation jobs that are beyond the scope of their capabilities. When the resources available are inadequate to complete the task, complications usually arise. Under duress, movers may overlook important aspects of safe moving, which can lead to errors. This is why it’s crucial to set limits based on the capabilities of your team and the resources at your disposal.
6. Customer service problems
Providing excellent service to customers should be a top goal for any company. A moving company’s first priority should be to meet the requirements of its customers in every way possible. Unfortunately, customer service at certain businesses has to take a back seat to the day-to-day operations of the company. However, the best moving company websites can help with this.
The reason why you need to have a website is that if you’re preoccupied with the work at hand, you may fail to respond to consumers’ inquiries or may provide a subpar answer. Your company’s reputation will suffer if this happens often enough. Therefore, you should create a good website, complete with a moving quote calculator, a contact page, and a services page. This will go a long way toward improving your customer service.
7. Unloading problems
Customers are responsible for communicating any potential problems at the final destination to the movers in advance. However, some clients could forget to mention important impediments like staircases, or narrow driveways. In such a situation, it can be hard to do your job properly. therefore, make sure that you always inquire about any problems you may have with the approach.
8. Last-minute rush
Avoiding last-minute rushes is essential if you want every move to go smoothly. Moving companies that are desperate for work, sometimes take on jobs for which they do not have enough time to prepare. This frequently leads to major problems that end up costing a lot of money. As a result, avoid taking any jobs that do not allow for adequate preparation and planning.
9. Moving at maximum capacity
And the last of the 9 biggest challenges for moving companies is taking on a job that is just too big. In the pursuit of a lucrative moving contract, it’s not hard to push yourself to the limit by loading up every available truck and sending them out. However, using all of your resources simultaneously is risky, as it means you have no backups.
All of your trucks are vulnerable to breakdowns and collisions, so you must have a fail-safe in place. While the broken vehicle is being fixed, another truck should be ready to make the delivery. No matter how large and profitable a relocation contract may be, a minimum of two to three percent of your capacity should be set aside to cover any unanticipated issues that may arise.
