How to hire movers

7 tips for hiring movers

Many reputable movers out there can keep your move headache-free, but there are also horror stories of possessions being held hostage by movers until additional fees are paid. How can you make sure you find the right movers for a (relatively) painless move?

1. Do your research and get multiple quotes

Avoid potential setbacks by researching and getting quotes from multiple moving companies. “I can’t overstate the importance of taking the time to thoroughly research your options and speak with movers to understand their process,” said Charlene Wilde, senior vice president and assistant secretary at the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association.

» MORE: What to know about moving quotes

Wilde has moved many times, both during her career in the Army and as an active-duty spouse while her husband was serving: “If you haven’t used movers in your area before, ask friends or family for recommendations,” she said. “Before engaging with a potential moving company, Google them to find reviews and more details. I always check Google reviews, Yelp and social media to make sure the company is reputable and that previous customers have had positive experiences.”

2. Make sure they do a walk-through and inventory your items

Prior to any move, short or long, have the movers come well before your moving day to walk through all the rooms in your home and inventory your possessions. A professional mover can estimate how many boxes you’ll need on moving day and how much room your furniture will take up on the truck.

Most professional movers provide this service free of charge, so don’t hesitate to get several estimates before deciding on a mover. Note that it's generally a good idea to get rid of any items you don’t plan to take with you at this point. You don’t want to be charged for moving an office chair you plan to donate to a thrift store. An inventory list will also help the company determine how many movers they need to load and unload your truck.

3. Never pay in advance

If a moving company asks for full payment upfront, that’s a major red flag — don’t work with it. With moving services, you pay at the end; all trustworthy moving companies adhere to this policy.

Keep in mind that a reputable moving company may still ask for a deposit upfront. This is for blocking off time for your move, hiring the right number of movers and ensuring you won’t cancel at the last minute — it's a standard practice and shouldn't cause you any alarm.

» KNOW THE SIGNS: How to avoid moving scams

4. Check the company’s licensing and history on BBB

In general, local movers are required to be licensed by the state where they work. If you’re moving between states, the company or broker you choose must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can search its database for proper licensing and insurance. Avoid using movers or brokers that don’t show U.S. DOT numbers or motor carrier docket numbers (MC numbers) online or in their advertisements.

5. Get everything in writing

Never accept only verbal estimates, and never sign a contract that’s not fully filled out. Before you move, the company you choose must provide a written estimate describing its services with a price quote. The estimate should include the dates of pickup and delivery.

Before you sign, make sure the mover has previously signed the document. If you sign the estimate and the mover doesn’t, you won’t have a binding contract. Another crucial item you should have if you’re moving states is a booklet titled “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” All movers operating interstate are required by the FMCSA to provide this information.

6. Consider your insurance options

Make sure your moving company is licensed and insured — and NEVER pay in full for a move upfront.

Your move must have some type of insurance. All movers provide liability insurance, meaning if something happens to your items over the course of the move — whether an item goes missing or gets damaged — the company is liable for it. Always ask to see a company’s certificate of insurance and look for cargo coverage.

If you’re moving states, interstate movers are required under federal law to offer full-value protection and released value protection.

Full-value protection is just what it sounds like: If anything gets lost or damaged in your move, you’re reimbursed for the entire value, or the mover repairs or replaces the item. This is the costliest insurance option but may be worth it if you’re moving lots of valuable items.

A less expensive alternative is released value insurance. With this type of insurance, a mover is responsible for paying 60 cents per pound for anything lost or damaged. If you have particularly pricey belongings, you can also purchase additional insurance from a third-party insurance company.

» PROS AND CONS: Is moving insurance worth it?

7. Ask about additional services

Movers can do a lot more than pick up a box in one home and set it down in another. Moving companies offer a wide variety of services that can make your move even easier, so don’t forget to ask your movers about these services.

They may also provide materials, like boxes and tape, or reusable plastic tubs to pack your belongings in. Movers sometimes can even unhook and hook up any appliances you’re moving and disassemble and reassemble furniture.

What to expect when hiring movers

Hiring a mover for the first time? Selecting the right mover may feel overwhelming, but if you do your research, you can find the best company for a safe and affordable move.

“Always look for bonded, insured movers,” said Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations at Bellhop, a moving company. “This is a great hedge against a bad moving experience. Most companies that can afford bonding and insurance tend to be successful and well-established, so you can have confidence in the quality of service you'll receive.”

» TIPS: 8 cheap ways to move across the country

Done right, working with movers can be fairly painless, as it was for one ConsumerAffairs reviewer in Texas, who said the moving company they worked with recently “was transparent and courteous, the driver was on time, delivery was on time and I was advised in advance, and my belongings well cared for.”

What type of mover do you need?

Before you start reaching out to moving companies, think about the type of move you’re making. Do you have a four-bedroom home or a one-bedroom apartment? Are you moving within your town or city or to another state? Do you own a lot of heavy or fragile items, or are you a minimalist?

With that information, you can start researching different ways to move, which will help you decide your next steps. There are several methods to get your possessions from your old home to your new one, which we’ve outlined below.

A moving broker can find a good moving company for you, but it doesn’t perform the move itself.

Moving brokers

When you start researching moving companies, you’ll quickly find two top options: moving brokers (sometimes listed under “moving brokerage”) and moving companies. The differences between the two can be confusing, and company websites often aren’t transparent about them.

Put simply, moving brokers are companies that oversee your move without doing any of the actual moving themselves. Brokerages don’t own any moving equipment, like dollies or trucks, and they don’t employ moving staff. Rather, brokers act as a go-between for you and the moving company they find to physically perform your move.

You can think of a moving broker as a wedding planner: They get quotes from a variety of companies and oversee the whole move for you, from loading the truck to unpacking boxes.

The main reason to use a broker is you can potentially save money by comparing competitive rates among movers. A downside? Moving brokers often aren’t local and operate from call centers in various parts of the country. And even though brokers can find and compare rates for you, you may still end up paying just as much as you would’ve working directly with a carrier.

Moving companies

Also known as a “for-hire carrier,” a moving company owns trucks and has a staff of professional movers. These are experts who move households day in and day out. The company will send a professional moving expert to your home to give you a quote.

Full-service movers can pack, load, ship, unload and unpack your belongings for you — though this service can be expensive.

Many moving companies also have a presence nationwide. Local companies that are part of a larger chain can be helpful if you’re moving out of state. You won’t have to worry about a local truck getting back to its base camp.

However, without a broker to help you coordinate your move, you will have to be more hands-on when you work with a moving company.

• Full-service movers: A full-service mover will pack your possessions for you, down to your cutlery drawer. If you need to move quickly or have a busy, demanding life, a full-service mover can be a huge timesaver. Professional movers have the proper materials and skills to get packing done quickly and efficiently. Full-service movers also know how to pack fragile items like artwork and mirrors.
• Container companies: You’ve likely seen moving containers plunked on the street or in someone’s driveway. These containers are delivered to your home by specialized companies. Moving containers come in varying sizes, and you pack them yourself at your own speed (depending on how long you have the container). Once you’re done packing, the company picks up the container and brings it to your new home.
• Truck companies: A truck company is exactly what it sounds like: a company that owns and rents trucks. Truck companies provide no other service when it comes time for your move.

» MORE: How to rent a moving truck

Are you making a short- or long-distance move?

Are you moving across town, across state lines or across the county? This will help narrow down which mover is appropriate for your relocation.

A short-term move generally falls into one of two categories. There are local moves, which are generally within 50 to 100 miles of your current home, and there are short-distance moves, which are 100 to 400 miles long.

Movers usually charge by the hour and mileage for short-distance moves, so you can expect to pay for the move once the hours and/or miles are tallied. Note that the cost of gas may also get added to the final bill.

Relocations of around 400 miles or greater are considered long-distance moves. Also known as long-haul moves, these are typically billed at a flat rate rather than by the mile. A long-distance mover will give you an estimated bill before the move is completed; extras, such as gas and tools, may be added to the bill once the truck gets to its destination.

» COMPARE: Best local moving companies

You may get an hourly or flat rate

Moving companies operate with various rate plans, from flat to hourly rates. Some movers also charge by the total volume of your items. How a company’s rates are structured is an important question to ask to make sure you understand how and what you’re being billed for.

Short-term movers generally bill by the hour and/or mileage, and movers usually have an hourly minimum to make the job worthwhile.

Longer-distance movers typically charge a flat rate that factors in how much you’re moving, the distance of the move and fuel costs.

» COMPARE: Best interstate moving companies 

How much do movers cost?

The exact cost of your move comes down to several factors: how many items you’re moving, the distance of your move and the difficulty (if you live four flights up, for instance, your move will cost more). In general, you can count on paying an average of $80 to $100 per hour for a team of two local movers. Things like packing materials or extra insurance will cost more.

Moving interstate tends to average from $2,500 to $10,000. The exact price will come down to the distance you’re moving and the total weight or volume of your belongings. The median rate for an interstate move is around 50 cents per pound and about 75 cents per mile (though prices vary by company). Often, the distance of a move can affect the per-mile rate.

The total cost of your move will also depend on the time of the year. The busiest months for movers are in the summer, usually between May and August. These months are generally busy because families with children want to get settled before a new school year begins.

Be careful before you start plugging your information into online websites promising an estimate. Your information will likely be sent to moving companies and brokers, meaning you’ll get a bunch of calls with sales pitches.

Another tip: Think about any heavy or bulky items you intend to move. Does it make sense to pay to move these items, or would it be more cost-effective to sell or donate them, and then buy them locally once you’ve moved?