Tips for Hiring a Reputable Mover

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Jump to: Verify the moving company · Understand your estimate · Questions to ask before booking · Warning signs to investigate

Verify the moving company.

Check the company’s legal name, address and contact details. Establish whether you are speaking to the carrier that will move your goods or a broker arranging transportation.

• For a move between states, use the FMCSA registered-mover search to check registration and complaint information. Match the carrier’s identity to your paperwork.
• For a move within California, use the California household-mover verification and consumer resources. Interstate registration does not replace the requirements for an in-state move.
• Look for a working phone number and a physical business address. Ask for proof of the company’s insurance and references relevant to your type of move.
• Read reviews and complaint patterns in context. A BBB rating can be one useful signal, but it is not a substitute for checking operating authority.

Understand your estimate.

Request a written estimate that describes the belongings, access conditions and services. Show the mover everything that will travel, including storage areas and unusual items. Compare estimates for the same scope.

• For interstate household moves, a binding estimate applies to the listed shipment and services. A non-binding estimate is an approximation; final charges depend on the applicable tariff, shipment weight and services. Neither label should be treated as a promise that later additions are free.
• Ask how the price is calculated. Do not assume every move must use weight-based pricing or that a volume-based figure alone establishes fraud. The rules and pricing method depend on the move.
• For moves within California, BHGS explains the visual-inspection requirement for written estimates and the not-to-exceed price in the moving agreement. Use the state guidance rather than assuming federal interstate rules apply.
• Identify packing, materials, storage, access-related work and any separately charged services. Review changes in writing before the work begins.

Read FMCSA’s interstate estimate guidance and California’s moving information for the rules relevant to your route.

Questions to ask before booking.

• Who is my contact before pickup, during transportation and at delivery? How will I receive schedule updates?
• What packing, loading, protection of the home and unloading work is included? What remains my responsibility?
• What are the cancellation, deposit and payment terms? Obtain the amount, due dates, refund terms and accepted payment methods in writing; do not assume every mover uses the same arrangement.
• Which valuation options apply, and how do they differ from separate insurance? How are high-value items documented, and how do I report loss or damage?
• Which consumer documents will I receive? For interstate household moves, review the required federal rights-and-responsibilities booklet and Ready to Move brochure. In-state moves have their own requirements.
• How will changes to the shipment, access or requested services affect the estimate?

Warning signs to investigate.

• Pressure to pay a large deposit or cash before you have clear written terms.
• An unusually low price without a credible assessment of what is being moved, or refusal to explain what the estimate includes.
• Blank or incomplete paperwork, missing interstate consumer documents, or reluctance to provide company identification.
• Business names or registration details that do not match across the estimate, carrier and vehicle. Request an explanation before loading.
• A pattern of unresolved complaints, evasive answers or pressure to commit immediately.

Investigate discrepancies before proceeding. See FMCSA’s moving-fraud warning signs for additional context.