Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for moving companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Moving Forward, the best way to keep clients happy is to make sure they have positive experiences throughout every phase of their moving projects. “Customer satisfaction is the root of our success,” affirms owner Luis Aviles. “We believe every client should have a great experience from the moment they contact us until they’re safely in their new location, and that’s what we strive for on every job.”

Moving Forward has been providing moving services for residential, commercial and office clients throughout California since 2012. The company has the in-house capabilities to handle moving projects of every size, and it also offers packing services for its customers’ convenience.

Unlike moving companies that charge extra fees for dealing with large, bulky items, Moving Forward keeps its prices competitive regardless of the situation. “We take on any and all projects, from large offices to small studio apartments, and we never charge additional fees for installations, stairs, long carries or hoisting,” says Mr. Aviles. “We truly care about our customers, so we simplify the moving process for them and make sure our prices are easy to understand.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, Moving Forward utilizes a software program called OnCue that allows customers to track their moving projects and get quotes online. “With OnCue, we can also send text messages and confirmation emails to ensure the highest level of customer service,” says Mr. Aviles. “Consistency and quality are very important to us, and using a standardized software program helps us manage those things as effectively as possible.”

If you’re moving to a new home or office, make sure you plan ahead to achieve the best results.

Many people are unsure how far in advance they should start planning for a move, but according to Luis Aviles, owner of Moving Forward in San Francisco, the best thing to do is start planning as soon as the move is official. “Planning ahead will allow you to be upfront with your moving company about your items so they can send the right people and equipment,” he says. “For example, if you tell the company ahead of time that you have a lot of stairs or your apartment is down a long hallway, they’ll often send an extra mover to reduce time and costs.”

Planning ahead will also give you time to decide if it’s more cost-effective to leave behind heavy items like appliances and mattresses or invest in new ones. Another benefit is being able to compare estimates from several moving companies that offer similar services to find the one that will best serve your needs. Most moving companies offer free estimates, so you should take advantage of that and plan ahead so you aren’t caught in a rush.

Taking your time to choose a company will also give you an opportunity to check references and make sure the company you’re planning to hire performs background checks on all its employees, has the right licenses and certifications, and offers full value protection on your belongings. Rogue movers that aren’t licensed with the Public Utilities Commission will leave you completely unprotected. If you hire an unlicensed company, you won’t have any recourse if the mover damages your property, holds your belongings hostage for more money or doesn’t adhere to industry standards.

It can also be helpful to ask your friends, family members and coworkers for moving company recommendations. Some companies overbook and drop their least profitable moving projects with little or no notice, so by getting a recommendation from someone you trust, you’ll be able to ensure a company’s ability to follow through with your project.