How to Choose a Moving Company

How to choose movers in 7 steps

Choosing movers comes down to matching the company to your move, checking its credentials and getting the details in writing before you pay. Start early, compare written estimates from more than one mover and watch for warning signs such as vague paperwork, large upfront payments or prices that seem too low for the job.

1. Determine the type of move

The type of moving company you need affects who can legally handle your move and how the company prices the job.

A local move may be priced by the hour, while an interstate move usually depends on distance, shipment size and services such as packing or storage. For moves across state lines, check that the mover or broker is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Service level is important, too. A full-service mover may pack, load, transport and unload your belongings, while a labor-only company may just load a truck you rent yourself. If you’re moving overseas, start with companies that handle customs paperwork, freight and destination delivery.

Share your moving company experience

If you’ve completed a move, consider writing a review at ConsumerAffairs.com to help others make better choices.

2. Start researching movers early

To find the best moving company for you, start your search four to eight weeks before your move — earlier if you’re moving in summer. Popular weekends, end-of-month dates and school-break windows can book up fast, so waiting can leave you choosing from whoever still answers the phone rather than companies you’d prefer.

Build a short list of two to four movers before you request quotes. Read recent reviews, confirm each company handles your type of move and cross off anyone with vague pricing, pressure tactics or a thin online footprint.

Be extra careful with last-minute movers. When a company has an opening right away during a busy moving period, that doesn’t automatically mean there’s an issue, but it should make you slow down and ask more questions. Check moving company reviews, confirm what’s included in the quote and get the estimate in writing before you hand over a deposit.

How to read reviews the right way

Read reviews for patterns, not one angry post. A single damaged dresser could be bad luck; repeated complaints about late arrivals, surprise charges, broken items or claims problems point to a risk you should take seriously.

Check more than one source, including ConsumerAffairs and Google, before you call. Look for details that sound tied to a real move, such as the route, crew size, delivery window, packing service or how the company handled a billing dispute. Generic five-star reviews with no move details should count for less.

3. Verify licenses, insurance and credentials

Legitimate movers should have the right license for the route they’re handling. Interstate movers must have a U.S. Department of Transportation number, and you can use it to check registration before you book.

For a local move, requirements may come from your state, county or city, so check your state transportation department, attorney general or consumer protection office.

Also ask the mover what liability coverage applies to your shipment and whether it carries cargo coverage. Your belongings spend part of the move in a truck, in storage or in someone else’s hand, so this isn’t the time to shrug and hope for the best.

4. Get at least three written estimates

Get written estimates from at least three movers so you can compare the price, services, fees and delivery terms side by side. The cheapest quote can cost more in the end if it leaves out packing, stairs, long carries, storage or bulky items. If you need a baseline before comparing bids, be sure to check typical moving costs by move size, distance and service level.

A good estimate should come from an in-home walkthrough or a virtual survey, not a quick phone guess. Show the mover closets, garages, basements, sheds and anything that needs special handling. A written estimate gives you a record of what the mover priced, which makes it easier to challenge surprise charges later.

Binding vs. non-binding estimates

A binding estimate means the mover agrees to charge the quoted price for the items and services listed, as long as you don’t add anything new later. With a non-binding estimate, your final bill may go up or down once the mover weighs your shipment and adds any services you used.

For interstate moves, the amount due at delivery cannot exceed 110% of the original estimate. Any remaining balance is billed later.

Before signing an agreement, read your moving quote line by line.

»MORE: What to Know About Moving Quotes in (2026)

5. Know what affects moving costs

Moving costs can swing a lot depending on how far you’re going, how much stuff you have and how much work the crew does. Local moves may be billed by time, while interstate moves often factor in shipment size, transportation charges and extra services.

Common price factors include:

• Distance and travel time: Longer routes usually cost more, and local movers may charge for labor and time.
• Weight or volume of belongings: More furniture, boxes and bulky items can raise the price.
• Access issues: Stairs, elevators, long carries and tight parking can add labor fees.
• Packing services and supplies: Boxes, tape, padding and packing labor can increase the total.
• Storage needs: Short-term or long-term storage adds another charge to your bill.
• Time of year: Summer moves can cost more because demand is higher and mover availability gets tighter.

6. Watch for common moving scams and red flags

Moving scams often start with a price that seems strangely low, then progressively get worse once your belongings are on the truck.

Be careful if a mover asks for a large cash deposit, avoids written paperwork, has no clear business address or gives a quote without seeing your home or asking for a detailed inventory.

Watch for these red flags before you sign:

• Large cash deposit required upfront: A big deposit, cash-only payment or wire transfer request should make you pause.
• Vague contact details: No physical address, generic email addresses or hard-to-trace phone numbers make problems harder to fix.
• Missing paperwork: A mover should give you a written estimate and order for service.
• Lowball quote: A quote far below the others may leave room for extra charges later.
• Hostage-load threat: Some movers demand more money before delivering belongings.
• Unmarked trucks or subcontracting without disclosure: Ask whether the company uses its own crew or hires another company for part of the job.

7. Read the contract carefully

Before you hire a moving company, compare the contract against the estimate you accepted. Confirm the total estimated cost, pickup and delivery dates, cancellation policy, payment terms and any extra fees for packing, stairs, storage or bulky items. If something you discussed is missing, ask the mover to add it in writing before moving day.

Also review the inventory list and liability coverage. The inventory should match what goes on the truck and note the condition of your items. For interstate moves, movers must prepare an inventory, and both you and the mover sign each page. Liability coverage affects what you may recover if something gets lost or damaged, so don’t gloss over that section — or any other.

Pro tip

Get every promise in writing before you sign. If a mover agrees to waive a fee, hold a date, include packing or honor a delivery window, it should appear in the contract or written estimate. Verbal promises are hard to prove once your belongings are already on the truck.

FAQ

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