-as of [21 AUGUST 2024]–
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Choosing the right moving company can be hard work
According to the BBB, most moving company complaints stemmed from alleged lost or damaged property, but charging for un-worked hours, arriving late and not honoring estimates also made the list.
Moving day is stressful enough without having your stuff arrive broken or with a surprise bill.
To avoid it, you’ll want to vet potential moving companies.
It only takes a little extra time, and can save a bunch of hassle
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Here are our 7 simple steps for how to choose a moving company.
Get Referrals
Start by getting free moving quotes. Next, ask friends, family members and coworkers if they can recommend a moving company
If you’re working with a real estate agent, ask the agent for a referral
Follow the Rule of Threes
Don’t settle for the first estimate you receive. Instead, ask at least three different companies to give you an in-person estimate, since no company can really give you a thorough estimate without seeing your stuff.
Watch Out for Red Flags
Keep an eye out for red flags during the estimate. For example, most reputable moving companies won’t ask for a cash deposit before you move. If the mover seems hungry to get the money upfront, it might not be a legitimate business. Also, during the estimate, note how professional or unprofessional the movers seem. If they show up late, seem unsure of their abilities, or can’t answer your questions, look for another company. And be wary of any movers who show up in a rented moving van. A professional company will own its own equipment.
Make Sure the Mover Is Licensed and Insured
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issues a U.S. DOT number to licensed interstate movers. If you’re moving out of state, verify the moving company’s license through the FMCSA’s protectyourmove.gov site and request the company’s U.S. DOT number; you’ll need it if you have to file a claim against the company later. If you’re staying in state, check with your local consumer affairs agency. You can find a list of local agencies through the FMCSA’s contacts database.
Check With the Better Business Bureau
Research the moving company’s track record with the BBB, which you can do free online. Stick with moving companies that are BBB accredited or at least have a good rating. If the moving company isn’t listed with the BBB, consider looking for one that is.
Ask About Professional Accreditation
Trade associations vet companies before giving them a membership or approved seal. Look for a moving company carrying the American Moving and Storage Association’s ProMover logo. You can also search for approved companies directly from the American Moving and Storage Association’s Moving.org site.
Verify the Address
Ask for a business card or pull up the mover’s website and then look up the listed address online or through the phonebook. Make sure the moving company’s address is listed and registered under the company names. Be wary of any address listed under a residential name.
Tips for choosing a reputable and reliable moving company
Of course, you want to hire quality movers to make your move go smoothly. With these tips, it should be a little easier.
Vet the mover
Make sure the mover is insured and registered. For interstate movers, a USDOT number is required by FMCSA. For in-state moves, regulations vary. You can check with your state, county or local consumer affairs agency or your state attorney general. You can also use the FMCSA search tool database or contact the Better Business Bureau and consumer protection agencies. You can also get a list of reliable movers from associations such as the American Moving and Storage Association.
Ask your friends and family for recommendations. Check the moving company’s references. Tell them you want a list of three customers from your area who have moved in the past three months. Call those customers and ask direct questions about their experiences.
Get several quotes, and read the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. This booklet also has the information you’ll need if your goods are lost or damaged during the move. Also, ask the mover questions (more on that below).
Take a thorough moving inventory
A reputable moving company will take a thorough inventory of all your belongings either in person or through a virtual survey. This means checking every room and all of your storage places such as cupboards, drawers, garages and bookcases. If you are moving any items from any outdoor spaces, they should be also included in the inventory. This is because the moving company’s estimate is largely based on the weight of your stuff and the space your goods will take up in the truck. Be sure to tell an estimator if you don’t plan to take any of the items with you to your new home. Getting an accurate estimate is very important.
Get a written estimate
Get several, from different moving companies, and compare them. The estimate should be based on an actual in-person inspection of your household goods, as we’ve mentioned above. We recommend getting at least three quotes from different moving companies.
Tips on avoiding moving scams
The most common moving scams you could run into include:
The hostage – When a mover won’t give you your belongings back until you pay double or triple the amount of your original estimate.
Bait and switch – When a mover switches your moving arrangement at the last minute, and it ends up costing you way more than originally agreed upon.
Outrageous delivery charges – When a mover tacks on additional costs for made-up reasons and forces you to pay more in order to get your things back.
Late delivery – The mover doesn’t deliver your belongings on time – or worse, never delivers them.
Reckless abandonment – When the mover takes your money ahead of time, closes shop and ditches your belongings.
Here are some tips on how to spot major red flags and avoid falling victim to a moving scam.
Never pay a large deposit. Reputable movers won’t demand cash or a large deposit before moving. You should only pay upon delivery. Otherwise, you may never see your belongings again. And pay with a credit card to help protect you from possible fraudulent activity.
Avoid moving companies with a name switch.
To avoid being flagged by the BBB, some less than stellar companies operate under different names.
If the company doesn’t have a local address, its employees don’t answer the phone with the full name of the business, or you find out that there are any other names the company “does business as,” those are all red flags. Also, the company should have the details on its licensing and insurance readily available to you, including state and federal license numbers.
Know your packing costs. If you decide to have the movers pack your belongings, ask about the packers’ experience. Most packers are careful, but you want to avoid the chance of getting someone who tosses whatever they can into a box and then seals it up with little regard for breakage. Also, the packing cost might end up being too much, so you’ll want to consider some alternatives, like packing yourself or asking family or friends for help.
Beware of extra fees. Make sure to ask your mover about any additional fees that may apply to your situation. Those could be having to negotiate stairs and elevators, moving in a high-traffic area, or on a street too narrow for a moving truck to fit. All those surcharges aren’t unreasonable but should be discussed in advance.
Don’t sign a blank moving contract. Never sign a blank contract and get everything in writing. Read your contract and make sure all of your belongings are listed as a result of a moving inventory. You can’t file a claim for something that doesn’t appear on the inventory list.
Don’t accept the “guaranteed” quote. There are three kinds of moving contracts (more on that below). The “guaranteed quote” is not an accurate and honest estimate and is a major red flag.
Don’t delay in reporting any problems. You have nine months to report any problems to the moving company and file a moving complaint. Your mover has 30 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim. Within 120 days of receiving it, the mover must deny your claim or make an offer to pay. Since time is short, try to open every box on moving day and see if there’s any damage. That way you can note any problems on the mover’s copy of the bill of lading before signing it.
Understanding moving insurance and valuation protection
Assuming liability for the value of the goods the moving company transports is required, but there are two different levels of liability, with different price points and the amount of protection provided by each.
Full (replacement) value protection is the most comprehensive plan available. Unless you chose otherwise, your move will be covered under your mover’s full (replacement) value protection level of liability. With this plan, should any article is lost, destroyed or damaged while in your mover’s custody, the mover has the option to either repair the item or pay you for the cost of the repairs, or replace it or pay you for the cost of the replacement.
Under this option, movers limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value, unless you specifically list these articles on the shipping documents. An article of extraordinary value is any item whose value exceeds $100 per pound (valuables, for example). It’s your responsibility to make the necessary declaration.
Released value protection is a no-cost option that provides only minimal protection. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound, per article. Loss or damage claims are settled based on the pound weight of the article multiplied by 60 cents. For example, if a 10-pound stereo component valued at $1,000 were lost or destroyed, the mover would be liable for no more than $6 (10 pounds x 60 cents).
You have to select this type of moving insurance. Otherwise, your move will be automatically covered at the full (replacement) value level of liability and you will be assessed the applicable valuation charge.
Understanding your moving an estimate
There are three types to consider:
A non-binding estimate on your contract means the company cannot require payment more than 10% above the original estimate. Any overages must be paid within 30 days of delivery.
A non-binding to-exceed estimate on your contract ensures that you will not have to pay for any overages to the original estimate. The estimate is the maximum you’ll be required to pay for any services rendered.
A binding estimate on your contract is supposed to be a guaranteed price for the move and all extras and services. If you request additional services (such as unpacking), any extra fees must be paid within 30 days of delivery.
Tips for saving on a move
Moving can be expensive, even if you DIY all or parts of it. Here are some things you can do to cut the costs:
Prepare ahead of time by making or using our moving checklist
Rent a moving truck instead of hiring professional movers
Rent a portable moving container as an alternative to using full-service movers
Plan a hybrid move, which could include hiring a moving labor-only company for the moving day
Choose a cheaper moving date (a weekday between the months between October and April)
Find free boxes and moving supplies
Ask friends and family for help
Purge: declutter, sell and donate
For more tips, please read our guide for cheap ways to move across the country and the costs associated with a DIY move.
Questions to ask the movers
To find the relocation company best fitting your specific needs, you should first ask them a lot of questions. Don’t leave a stone unturned! Some examples include the following.
To make sure the moving company is legitimate, reputable and reliable
Are you properly licensed?
Do you have experience with my specific type of move?
What kind of liability coverage does your company provide?
Do you have references?
To understand your moving estimate
What’s included in my quote?
Are there any extra charges?
How do you take an inventory of all my items?
Do you have a cancellation policy?
What forms of payment do you accept?
Are there any restrictions on what and how I pack?
Will you pack specialty items, such as TVs and electronics?
How long will the move take?
How do I contact you and the driver during the move?
Will my items be transferred to another party along the way? Do you subcontract your moves?
What should I expect if there’s a delay in pickup or delivery on moving day?
What happens if something breaks or gets damaged in the move?
What is your claim process like?
Can my claim be denied?
Hiring a moving company FAQs
Here are your most commonly asked questions about hiring a moving company.
How do moving companies work?
Full-service movers will do everything associated with your move, including furniture disassembly, truck loading and unloading, transporting your belongings, furniture reassembly, and placing your items where you want them in your new home. If a moving company is packing for you, they will supply materials, pack your belongings, then unpack them, and dispose of packing materials. Some moving companies also provide temporary storage for extra fees.
How far in advance should I hire someone?
According to our moving checklist, you should start researching moving services eight weeks before the move, get estimates seven weeks before your move, and schedule the movers six weeks before your moving day.
Should I hire movers or DIY?
It depends on your needs and your budget. Each method has its pros and cons. A DIY move will save money, and you’ll have total control of the whole process. However, it comes with having to do all the heavy lifting yourself. With a pro move, you won’t have to lift a finger, but it’s less flexible and more expensive. To make the best decision to suit your moving needs, read our guide to the best way to move.
What is the best way to get an estimate?
Start by using our moving cost calculator to get estimates.
How long will it take to move my home?
It depends on the type of your move. Packing and moving yourself can take days, even weeks, to accomplish. With full-service movers, you’ll have a set timetable and a better idea of how long from start to finish. This timetable will include taking an inventory of your belongings by a professional and getting an estimate, packing (if applicable) and furniture disassembly, transportation time, loading and unloading, furniture assembly at your new home, and unpacking (again, if applicable).
How and when do I pay the movers?
Typically, you pay the movers after the move is completed. Requiring paying the whole amount or a large deposit upfront are red flags. Ask the moving company ahead of time what forms of payment they accept.
Do I need to pay a moving deposit?
Many moving companies ask for a deposit. While a small deposit is reasonable, a reputable moving company will never ask for a large deposit upfront.
Is there a minimum number of hours for the moving service?
Typically, yes. Local moves usually have a two- to three-hour minimum. After that, the cost could be prorated at an hourly rate. Long-distance moves have to factor in the travel time, so it’s harder to give a definite answer. Your best bet is to ask the moving company directly.
Do moving companies offer discounts?
Yes. Many moving companies offer discounts to AAA members as well as students and members of the military.
Why should I get at least three quotes?
It’s important to compare at least three moving quotes from three different moving companies before booking a mover. If one of the quotes is out of step with the others — whether it’s much cheaper or much more expensive — this could be a red flag that something isn’t quite right. It’s not always a good idea to go with a lower estimate. If you value quality service, you may need to pay more for a quality mover.
The bottom line
Hiring a reputable moving company will save you from many of the common moving-day stresses. So, if the idea of loading and driving a large moving truck stresses you out, we recommend that finding a quality moving company you can trust should be a priority on your moving checklist. Of course, this decision depends on your budget, how far you’re moving, your health, and the complexity of your move. With the tips and the recommendations above, hopefully, you’ll have nothing but a smooth, pleasant moving experience.
Ready to move?
To find the right moving company to handle your next move, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!
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www.moving.com /tips/how-to-choose-a-moving-company-in-7-steps/
How to Choose a Moving Company in 7 Steps | Moving.com
Angela Colley16-20 minutes 7/21/2022
young woman looking for tips on how to choose a moving company
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