Verify Licensing and Registration
The first step in choosing a mover is confirming they're properly licensed and registered.
Interstate Moves (Crossing State Lines)
All interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration):
- USDOT Number: Unique identifier assigned by the Department of Transportation
- MC Number: Motor Carrier number for interstate commerce authority
- Verify online: Check the FMCSA website for licensing status and safety records
What to Look For:
- Active registration status
- No recent safety violations
- Proper insurance coverage listed
- Company complaints and reviews
Local Moves (Within State)
Requirements vary by state but typically include:
- State-issued moving license or permit
- Business registration with the state
- Local business license
How to Verify:
- Check your state's Public Utilities Commission or Transportation Department website
- Ask the mover for their license number and verify independently
- Confirm with your state's consumer protection office if unsure
Professional Associations
Membership in industry organizations indicates professionalism:
- American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA): National trade association
- ProMover Program: Certified members with proven track records
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): Check for accreditation and rating
Note: Membership doesn't guarantee quality, but it shows commitment to industry standards.
Understanding Insurance and Liability
Proper insurance protects your belongings during the move.
Basic Carrier Liability (Included)
- Coverage: $0.60 per pound per item
- Cost: Included in your moving quote
- Example: 50-pound TV damaged = $30 compensation
- Limitation: Significantly undervalues most items
Full Value Protection (Upgrade)
- Coverage: Repair, replace, or compensate at current market value
- Cost: Additional 1-3% of shipment value
- Deductible: Often $250-$500
- Recommended: For moves with valuable items
Third-Party Insurance
- Provider: Purchased from independent insurance companies
- Coverage: Often more comprehensive than mover's insurance
- Cost: Varies based on shipment value
- Benefit: Independent claims process
What to Ask About Insurance
- What's included in my quote?
- What are the upgrade options and costs?
- What items are excluded from coverage?
- What's the claims process if something is damaged?
- How quickly are claims typically resolved?
Red Flags and Warning Signs
Avoid these warning signs that indicate potential problems or scams.
🚩 No Physical Address or Local Office
- Company only provides P.O. box or no address
- Can't visit their facility
- No local presence or warehouse
Why It Matters: Legitimate companies have established physical locations. Scammers operate remotely and disappear easily.
🚩 No Written Estimate or Contract
- Provides only verbal quotes
- Refuses to put estimates in writing
- Doesn't provide a bill of lading
Why It Matters: Written agreements protect both parties. Verbal promises are unenforceable.
🚩 Demands Large Deposit Upfront
- Asks for full payment before moving
- Requires large cash deposit
- Won't accept credit cards
Why It Matters: Reputable movers don't require large deposits. They're paid after delivery. Cash-only requests are major red flags.
🚩 No USDOT Number (Interstate Moves)
- Can't provide USDOT or MC number
- Number doesn't appear in FMCSA database
- Numbers belong to a different company
Why It Matters: Interstate moving without USDOT registration is illegal. This is a guaranteed scam.
🚩 Rental Truck Instead of Branded Vehicle
- Shows up in unmarked rental truck
- Vehicle has no company branding
- Different truck than discussed
Why It Matters: Professional movers use branded, owned vehicles. Rental trucks suggest fly-by-night operations.
🚩 No In-Home Estimate for Large Moves
- Provides quote without seeing your belongings
- Refuses in-home estimate for 2+ bedroom homes
- Estimates over phone seem suspiciously low
Why It Matters: Accurate estimates require seeing volume and special items. Lowball phone quotes lead to inflated bills later.
🚩 Blanket or Generic Company Name
- Names like "Movers" or "Moving Company" with no distinction
- Generic website with stock photos
- No verifiable company history
Why It Matters: Legitimate companies build brand recognition. Scammers use generic names to avoid being tracked.
🚩 Poor Online Reviews or No Digital Presence
- Numerous complaints about hostage loads or damaged items
- No social media presence
- Website created recently
- Can't find any reviews online
Why It Matters: Established movers have online presence and review history. Lack of reviews or consistent complaints are warnings.
Getting and Comparing Estimates
Obtain and evaluate multiple estimates to find the best value.
How Many Estimates Should You Get?
Minimum: 3-5 quotes from different companies
Compare:
- Total cost
- Services included
- Insurance options
- Payment terms
- Estimated timing
Types of Estimates
Non-Binding Estimate:
- Approximate cost based on estimated weight
- Final cost determined after weighing
- Can increase significantly
- Riskier for budgeting
Binding Estimate:
- Fixed price based on inventory
- Won't change unless you add items
- More predictable
- Preferred option
Binding Not-to-Exceed Estimate:
- Sets maximum price cap
- If lighter, you pay less
- Protection against overcharges
- Best consumer protection
In-Home vs. Virtual Estimates
In-Home Estimate:
- Mover visits your home
- More accurate inventory
- Identifies potential challenges
- Best for 2+ bedroom homes
Virtual Estimate:
- Video call walkthrough
- Faster scheduling
- Reasonable accuracy for smaller moves
- Good option during busy seasons
What Should Be Included
Ensure estimates detail:
- Labor costs
- Transportation charges
- Packing services (if requested)
- Materials costs
- Insurance/valuation options
- Additional fees (stairs, long carry, etc.)
- Payment terms and schedule
Comparing Estimates
Don't automatically choose the lowest price. Consider:
- Are all quotes for the same services?
- Does the low bidder have proper licensing?
- What do reviews say about this company?
- Are there hidden fees not mentioned?
- What's the insurance coverage?
Price differences of 50%+ should raise concerns. Legitimate quotes for the same move should be relatively comparable.
20 Questions to Ask Movers
Ask these questions during estimates to make an informed decision.
Licensing and Insurance
- What's your USDOT number (or state license for local moves)?
- How long have you been in business?
- What insurance coverage do you provide?
- Do you subcontract work to other companies?
Pricing and Estimates
- Is this a binding or non-binding estimate?
- What factors could cause the price to increase?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- When is payment due?
- Are there any additional fees not listed in the estimate?
Services and Logistics
- Who will actually perform my move (your employees or subcontractors)?
- Do you provide packing services and materials?
- How do you protect furniture and floors during the move?
- What items won't you move?
- Do you disassemble and reassemble furniture?
Timeline and Scheduling
- What's your availability for my preferred moving date?
- What's the estimated delivery window?
- Will my items travel on a dedicated truck or consolidated shipment?
- What happens if you're late or can't make the scheduled date?
Claims and Problems
- What's your process if something is damaged or lost?
- How long do I have to file a claim?
Red Flag: If a company is evasive, defensive, or unwilling to answer these questions, move on to another mover.
Making Your Final Decision
After gathering estimates and information, it's time to choose your mover.
Create a Comparison Spreadsheet
Track for each company:
- Company name and contact info
- USDOT/license number verified ✓
- BBB rating and accreditation
- Online review average (Google, Yelp, MoveFinders)
- Total cost estimate
- Estimate type (binding/non-binding)
- Insurance options and costs
- Services included
- Red flags noticed (if any)
- Your gut feeling about professionalism
Weigh These Factors
Prioritize:
- Licensing and insurance verification (non-negotiable)
- Positive review track record (recent reviews matter most)
- Transparent, detailed estimate (binding preferred)
- Responsive, professional communication
- Reasonable pricing (not necessarily lowest)
Consider:
- Experience with your type of move (local, long-distance, specialty items)
- Availability for your preferred dates
- Additional services you need (packing, storage, specialty handling)
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong:
- Communication is poor or unprofessional
- Pressure to sign immediately
- Unwillingness to answer questions
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing
Trust that feeling and keep looking. A move is too important to work with a company you don't trust.
Read Before You Sign
Before signing a contract:
- Read every page carefully
- Ensure all verbal promises are written
- Verify the USDOT number on the contract matches what you verified
- Understand payment terms and schedule
- Confirm delivery window
- Review insurance/valuation options
- Check cancellation policy
Never sign a contract with blank spaces. They should be filled in or marked "N/A."
Get Everything in Writing
- Final estimate and contract
- Bill of lading (on moving day)
- Inventory list
- Insurance certificate
- Delivery schedule
Keep copies of all documents in your moving binder. You'll need them if any disputes arise.
Ready to compare movers? Browse our reviews of top-rated moving companies with verified licensing and customer feedback.