Most costly moving problems start before the truck arrives. A low quote may omit packing or access fees. A broker may take the booking without operating the truck. And released value protection can leave a costly television worth only a few dollars in a claim.
For a U.S. move, start with the route. A household-goods move that crosses a state line is generally subject to federal moving requirements. A move that begins and ends in one state may instead follow state rules for estimates, deposits, valuation, and claims.
Before paying a deposit, identify the actual carrier, get a complete written estimate, and read the valuation terms. If the move stays within one state, also ask which state agency and rules apply.
Which rules apply to your move?
| Move type | First check | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate household move | The actual carrier's legal name, FMCSA registration, and USDOT number | That a non-binding estimate is a final price or that released value protection covers replacement cost |
| Intrastate move | State licensing and transportation or consumer-protection requirements | That the federal 110% estimate rule or nine-month claim deadline applies |
| International move | Customs, destination-country rules, and the international contract | That U.S. household-goods protections cover the entire shipment |
Ask the mover to identify the applicable rulebook in writing. The rest of this article focuses on U.S. household moves, especially interstate relocations.
20 common mistakes when hiring a moving company
1. Choosing the lowest quote without comparing the scope
A low number is useful only when it covers the same work as the other estimates. One quote may include packing, materials, stairs, storage, or delivery labor while another leaves those charges out.
Compare the inventory, labor, dates, access conditions, travel charges, and valuation option. If those details differ, the totals aren't really competing prices.
2. Accepting a quote based only on bedrooms or a phone call
A bedroom count says little about a full garage, attic, basement, closet, or storage unit. A verbal quote also leaves you with weak evidence if the price changes.
Show the mover every area that will be included in the move. An in-home survey or detailed video walkthrough is more useful than a room count. Mention items you haven't packed yet and ask how additions affect the estimate.
3. Comparing estimates that include different services
Packing is only one possible difference. Boxes, wardrobe cartons, furniture disassembly, appliance handling, elevator reservations, storage, shuttle trucks, stairs, and reassembly can all change the price.
Make a side-by-side sheet. Include estimated weight or volume, labor, materials, travel, access charges, packing, storage, taxes, and valuation. Have the mover explain any line that appears on only one estimate.
4. Failing to verify the carrier's registration
For an interstate move, search the actual carrier in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's official database. Check the legal name, USDOT number, operating status, address, and any available complaint or insurance information.
The number on the estimate should match the business named in the contract and shipping documents. A USDOT number helps verify identity and registration; it isn't a guarantee of careful service.
5. Confusing a broker with the moving carrier
A broker may arrange transportation without operating the truck. That arrangement isn't automatically improper, but it changes who will collect your property and who may handle a loss or damage claim.
Get the carrier's legal name and registration number, not just the booking company's name. Before the move begins, obtain the carrier's estimate, valuation terms, pickup details, and claims contact.
6. Treating online reviews as proof of quality
Reviews can show patterns, but they don't verify licensing, insurance, or the identity of the company behind a website. A polished profile and many short reviews shouldn't replace document checks.
Look for specific, recent accounts involving moves similar to yours. Check more than one platform, search for the legal business name, and compare the results with regulator records. A business-rating record is evidence to consider, not government approval.
7. Hiring a company that won't provide verifiable contact information
A mover that refuses to provide a legal name, physical business address, written estimate, or direct claims contact creates avoidable risk. A classified listing or temporary phone number is not a credential.
Check that the address and phone number belong to the same business named in the contract. Be cautious if the company changes names, asks you to sign for a different entity, or communicates only through informal messages.
8. Booking without a clear pickup and delivery window
A date such as "June 15" may not tell you whether pickup is guaranteed, when delivery can occur, or what happens if the truck is delayed. Summer, month-end, and holiday moves can also have tighter availability.
Have the earliest and latest pickup and delivery dates written down. Confirm how delay notices will be sent, who provides updates, where the shipment will go if storage is needed, and which charges can result from a missed access appointment.
9. Paying a deposit before understanding cancellation terms
Deposit requirements vary by state and contract. The problem is paying first and discovering that the deposit is nonrefundable, the cancellation window is short, or the company's cancellation terms are unclear.
Before paying, record the amount, due date, cancellation procedure, refund conditions, and company-cancellation terms. Pay the named legal entity through a method that creates a reliable record, then save the receipt.
10. Creating an incomplete inventory
"Miscellaneous boxes" and "furniture" are hard to verify at delivery. An incomplete inventory can also lead to an inaccurate estimate of weight, truck space, labor, or shipment value.
Work room by room. Record quantities, short descriptions, serial numbers for electronics, and existing condition. Photograph valuable or distinctive items, and keep a copy of the inventory somewhere other than inside the shipment.
11. Failing to declare extraordinary-value items
For an interstate shipment, ask about the mover's declaration for articles worth more than $100 per pound. List qualifying property on the required high-value or extraordinary-value form rather than relying on a conversation at pickup.
Read how the contract treats items that aren't declared. Leaving an item off the form can affect the mover's responsibility under the valuation terms.
12. Treating a non-binding estimate as a guaranteed price
The word "estimate" matters. A non-binding estimate is a projection, and the final charge can reflect the actual weight, services, and shipment details.
For an interstate move, federal rules generally limit what the mover can require at delivery on a non-binding estimate to no more than 110% of the estimate. That limit applies to collection at delivery; it isn't a cap on the final bill. An additional balance may be billed later under the applicable rules.
If the mover says the quote is non-binding, ask how later charges will be calculated and documented. Don't interpret the 110% rule as a promise that the total can rise by only 10%.
13. Skimming the estimate and Bill of Lading
The estimate is only one part of the moving paperwork. For an interstate move, read the order for service, valuation statement, inventory, and Bill of Lading as well. These documents can set out charges, delivery terms, limits, and dispute instructions.
Never sign blank forms or documents with missing prices and dates. If the crew presents a replacement document at pickup, compare it with the version you accepted and ask for an explanation before signing.
14. Overlooking access and special-service charges
Stairs, elevators, narrow driveways, parking restrictions, long walks from the truck, bulky items, appliance work, shuttle trucks, and customer-requested packing can affect the bill. So can an unavailable loading area.
Tell the mover about these conditions during the survey. Ask how each charge is calculated and have the answer added to the estimate. Moving day is a poor time to discover that a normal-looking driveway requires a different truck or extra labor.
15. Selecting released value protection without understanding the limit
For an interstate move, released value protection generally limits liability to $0.60 per pound per article. It is a weight-based limit, not the item's purchase price or replacement value.
A 20-pound television, for example, could produce a maximum calculation of $12. A 10-pound piece of artwork could produce $6. The Surface Transportation Board's guidance on lost or damaged household goods explains these examples and the available valuation statements.
16. Assuming full-value protection covers everything automatically
Full-value protection is a separate valuation option with its own price and written terms. Depending on the agreement, the mover may repair, replace, or pay for an eligible item. Deductibles, declared values, exclusions, and special handling conditions may apply.
Read the complete terms before choosing it. Check specifically how they treat self-packed boxes, pairs and sets, electronics, antiques, high-value articles, and items that already had damage.
17. Assuming homeowners or renters insurance will fill every gap
A homeowners or renters policy may cover some moving-related risks, but transit, breakage, storage, deductibles, and exclusions vary. A credit card or separate insurance product shouldn't be assumed to cover a moving claim either.
Ask your insurer for a written explanation of coverage during the move. Compare that response with the mover's valuation option, including exclusions and the party that receives the claim.
18. Using a DIY or hybrid plan without assigning responsibility
Packing some rooms yourself can reduce the mover's work, but it can also blur responsibility. Owner-packed boxes may be treated differently under the valuation terms, and it may later be unclear who packed, loaded, transported, or assembled an item.
Write down who handles packing, disassembly, appliances, loading, truck rental, storage, and delivery. Confirm how damage to each category will be handled before work begins.
19. Letting loading happen without documenting condition
Before the crew arrives, photograph furniture, appliances, walls, floors, and high-value items. Take close-up images of existing scratches and record serial numbers where useful.
At pickup, review the condition notes and inventory. Keep identification, medication, valuables, important documents, and a few essentials with you instead of placing them in the truck.
20. Signing a clean delivery record and missing the claims process
Inspect the shipment as soon as possible. Count boxes, check distinctive items, and note visible damage or missing property on the delivery paperwork before signing. Keep a copy or clear photograph of everything you sign.
A notation on the delivery record doesn't replace a formal claim. For an interstate move, submit a written loss or damage claim through the carrier's claims process within nine months after delivery. Include the Bill of Lading number, itemized loss or damage, photographs, condition notes, and evidence of value.
How to compare binding and non-binding estimates
The estimate type should be stated clearly. If the paperwork is vague, have the mover correct it before you sign or schedule the move.
| Estimate type | What it generally means for an interstate move | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Binding estimate | The price applies to the listed shipment and services, subject to the written terms | Which added items or requested services can change the price |
| Non-binding estimate | The amount is a projection, and the final charge can reflect actual weight and services | The 110% collection limit at delivery, later billing process, and extra-charge formula |
| Verbal or incomplete quote | There is no dependable record of what was included | A complete written estimate before paying or scheduling |
A binding estimate can still change when you add items or services, or when the mover encounters conditions that weren't included in the agreement. A non-binding estimate isn't permission to add unexplained fees. Request an itemized explanation and keep any weight or scale records provided.
The federal 110% rule is associated with non-binding estimates for interstate household-goods moves. Don't assume it applies to a move governed by state law.
Understand valuation before the truck arrives
Moving companies often use the word "coverage," but released value protection and full-value protection are valuation arrangements with different limits and terms.
- Released value protection: Usually included for an interstate move, but generally limited to $0.60 per pound per article.
- Full-value protection: An added-cost option that may provide repair, replacement, or payment under the mover's written terms.
- Separate insurance: A policy from another insurer may have different covered events, deductibles, exclusions, and claim procedures.
A lightweight laptop, television, camera, artwork, or jewelry can be worth far more than its weight-based limit. Compare the valuation choices before signing rather than waiting for delivery to find out what the selected option means.
Keep the moving documents together
Make both a paper and digital folder containing:
- The mover's legal name, address, phone number, and registration details
- All written estimates and revised estimates
- The inventory and high-value declaration
- The order for service and Bill of Lading
- Valuation terms, exclusions, and deductible information
- Deposit, cancellation, and payment records
- Pickup and delivery windows
- Photos, videos, condition notes, and serial numbers
- Every email, text, claim form, and response
Don't leave the folder inside the moving truck. A cloud copy or email backup can help if the paper documents disappear.
What to do if items are damaged or missing
A regulator complaint and a damage claim serve different purposes. A complaint may document registration or conduct concerns, but it doesn't automatically reimburse you for lost property.
- Secure the property. Photograph the damage from several angles. Keep the item and packaging unless they create a safety hazard, and ask the mover before discarding or repairing anything.
- Submit a formal written claim to the carrier. Use the carrier's claims address or portal and keep proof that the claim was received. A message to the driver alone may not begin the formal process.
- Attach supporting evidence. Include the Bill of Lading, inventory entry, delivery record, photographs, condition notes, receipts, repair estimates, and a reasonable value for each item.
- Track the deadline. For an interstate move, a written loss or damage claim generally must be filed within nine months after delivery. The carrier generally must acknowledge a written claim within 30 days and pay, deny, or make a settlement offer within 120 days, or provide written status updates if more time is needed.
- Escalate the right issue. Use FMCSA for concerns involving an interstate mover's registration or conduct. For an intrastate move, contact the relevant state transportation or consumer-protection agency. If the carrier denies the claim, review the contract's arbitration or dispute terms. A lawsuit or arbitration may be necessary to seek compensation.
If a crew demands an unexpected amount, request an itemized bill and preserve the demand, revised documents, and payment records. Don't physically confront the crew. A significant disputed loss may justify qualified legal advice about the contract and applicable deadlines.
Questions to ask before hiring a mover
- Are you the carrier or a broker?
- What legal name and registration number will appear on my documents?
- Is the estimate binding or non-binding?
- What services, materials, access conditions, and fees are included?
- What are the earliest and latest pickup and delivery dates?
- What valuation choices are available, and what are their exclusions?
- Which items must appear on the high-value declaration?
- Who handles claims, and where must a written claim be submitted?
- What are the deposit, cancellation, and refund terms?
- Will another company or subcontractor perform any part of the move?
FAQs
Does the federal 110% rule apply to a local move?
Not automatically. The federal rule is associated with interstate household-goods moves and non-binding estimates. A move that stays within one state may be governed by state law and the contract.
How much would released value protection pay for a 50-pound item?
At $0.60 per pound per article, the calculation would be $30. That may be far below the item's actual value.
Is hiring a moving broker illegal?
No. A broker can arrange transportation, but you should identify the actual carrier before signing. Confirm who controls the truck, shipment documents, valuation, payment, and claims process.
How long do I have to file a moving damage claim?
For an interstate household-goods move, the general federal deadline is nine months after delivery. Submit the claim in writing through the carrier's formal process and keep proof of submission.
Final check before paying a deposit
Have the actual carrier's identity, complete written estimate, pickup and delivery windows, itemized fees, valuation terms, cancellation conditions, and claims contact in your file. If the mover says a significant detail will be "sorted out on moving day," treat it as unresolved and get the answer in writing before you pay.