How to Choose a Moving Company
Choose a mover by verifying its USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA database, getting at least three in-home or video estimates, insisting on a binding written estimate, and checking reviews for patterns. Never pay a large deposit up front — legitimate movers collect at delivery.
Trustworthy Mover = Verified USDOT/MC + 3 written estimates + binding quote + no large deposit
Picking the right moving company is the most important decision of your move — it determines your cost, your stress level, and whether your belongings arrive intact. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) receives thousands of household-goods complaints each year, many involving unlicensed "rogue" movers that hold shipments hostage for inflated fees. Verifying a company's registration is your first line of defense.
Around 25–28 million Americans move annually, per the U.S. Census Bureau, and the market ranges from national van lines to small local outfits. This guide shows you how to compare them fairly, read estimates correctly, and recognize the warning signs of a scam. Start with the cost estimate below to set your baseline.
What This Means
Treat this estimate as your benchmark. When you collect quotes, be wary of any bid dramatically below this range — extreme lowballs are the classic rogue-mover bait-and-switch. A legitimate quote should be in a reasonable band around this figure and provided in writing as a binding or not-to-exceed estimate. Always verify the company at FMCSA.gov.
Step 1: Verify the License
Every legal interstate mover must register with the FMCSA and carry a USDOT number; interstate movers also need an MC (Motor Carrier) number. Local intrastate movers are licensed by the state instead. To verify a company:
- Ask for the company's legal name, USDOT number, and MC number.
- Search the free database at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move to confirm active registration and authority.
- Confirm the operating status is "Authorized for HHG" (household goods) and that insurance is on file.
- For local moves, check your state's mover licensing board or public utilities commission.
- Check the company's complaint history through the FMCSA and the Better Business Bureau.
A mover that cannot or will not give you a USDOT number is a red flag — walk away.
Understanding the difference between a carrier and a broker is part of verification. A carrier owns trucks and physically transports your goods; a broker only arranges your move with a third-party carrier you may never have vetted. Brokers can be legitimate and are required to be registered too, but they add a layer of risk because you do not choose the company that actually shows up. Always ask directly, "Are you the carrier or a broker?" and, if a broker, find out which carrier will handle your shipment so you can verify that company as well. Cross-check the reviews you read against the legal company name on the FMCSA record — scam operators frequently rebrand under new names to escape a trail of complaints.
Step 2: Get & Compare Three Estimates
Never book on a single phone quote. Get at least three estimates based on an in-home or video survey of your belongings — a quote given without seeing your goods is unreliable.
| Estimate Type | How It Works | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Binding | You pay the exact quoted price regardless of actual weight | Lowest — preferred |
| Not-to-exceed (guaranteed) | You pay actual weight but never more than the quote | Low |
| Non-binding | Price can rise with actual weight; final bill may exceed quote | High — avoid |
Compare quotes line by line, not just the bottom number — check that each includes the same services, valuation coverage, and accessorial fees (stairs, long carry, shuttle).
Step 3: Spot the Red Flags
Rogue movers follow recognizable patterns. Treat any of these as a serious warning:
- Demands a large cash deposit before the move — legitimate movers collect payment at delivery.
- Refuses an in-home or video estimate and quotes only over the phone.
- Has no local address, no USDOT number, or a website with no company details.
- Answers the phone with a generic "movers" greeting rather than a company name.
- Quotes far below every competitor (the classic bait-and-switch that ends in a hostage-load fee hike).
- Has unresolved FMCSA or BBB complaints about holding goods or inflated bills.
If you suspect a scam in progress, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.
Step 4: Understand Valuation & Insurance
Movers are not insurers, but federal law requires they offer two levels of liability coverage. Know the difference before you sign:
- Released Value Protection — included free, but pays only $0.60 per pound per item. A 10-lb laptop is covered for just $6.
- Full Value Protection — costs roughly 1–3% of declared value and covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value.
For valuable households, Full Value Protection or a separate third-party moving insurance policy is usually worth it. Always read the Your Rights and Responsibilities booklet the mover is legally required to provide.
Step 5: Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Before committing, get clear answers to each of these:
- What is your USDOT/MC number, and are you the carrier or a broker?
- Is this a binding or not-to-exceed estimate, and what is included?
- What valuation coverage do you offer and at what cost?
- Do you use your own crew or subcontract the labor?
- What are your accessorial charges for stairs, long carry, and shuttle service?
- What is the delivery window, and what happens if you miss it?
- How do I file a damage claim, and what is the timeline?
Get every answer in writing as part of the estimate and bill of lading. A reputable company will welcome these questions.
Pay attention to professionalism throughout the process, because it predicts the quality of your move. Did the company answer the phone with its name, arrive on time for the survey, and provide a clear written estimate without pressure tactics? Vague answers, reluctance to put terms in writing, or pushy demands for an immediate deposit all signal trouble. Reading the mover's reviews, look for patterns rather than isolated complaints — a few negative reviews among hundreds is normal, but repeated mentions of surprise charges, damaged goods, or held shipments is a serious warning. Finally, get everything you were promised written into the estimate and bill of lading; verbal assurances are worthless if a dispute arises later.
Taken together, these five steps form a simple but reliable filter. Verify the license first, because an unregistered mover should never advance past that point. Then compare at least three written estimates from licensed carriers, insist on a binding or not-to-exceed price, and confirm the valuation coverage that protects your belongings. Watch for the red flags — large up-front deposits, phone-only quotes, missing addresses, and lowball bids — and walk away from any company that trips them. A mover that is licensed, transparent, fairly priced, and willing to put everything in writing is the kind that delivers your belongings on time and intact, which is worth far more than saving a few dollars on a risky unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a moving company is licensed?
Ask for the company's USDOT and MC numbers, then look them up free at the FMCSA's Protect Your Move site to confirm active household-goods authority and insurance on file. For local intrastate moves, check your state's mover licensing board. A mover that won't provide a USDOT number is operating illegally — do not hire them.
What's the difference between a moving broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns the trucks and physically moves your goods, while a broker only arranges your move with a third-party carrier you may never have vetted. Brokers can be legitimate but add a layer of risk because you don't choose the actual mover. Always ask whether you're dealing with a broker or a carrier, and verify whoever ultimately handles your shipment.
Is it normal to pay a deposit before a move?
A small deposit (often under 20%) can be normal for full-service interstate moves, but a demand for a large cash deposit up front is a major red flag. Legitimate movers collect the bulk of payment at delivery. Pay by credit card when possible so you have recourse if something goes wrong.
How many moving quotes should I get?
Get at least three written estimates based on an in-home or video survey, not phone guesses. Three quotes let you spot both overpriced bids and suspicious lowballs. Compare them line by line for the same services and valuation coverage rather than just the bottom-line price.
What should I do if a mover holds my belongings hostage?
Holding goods hostage for fees above your written estimate is illegal for interstate moves. Document everything, refuse to pay inflated charges beyond 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, and file a complaint with the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database. This is why verifying licensing and using a binding estimate up front is so important.