Choose a mover based on its written scope and protection terms, not just the lowest quote. Before you pay a deposit, you should know who will carry your belongings, what the estimate covers, when delivery is expected, and how a damage claim works.

This guidance is for consumers in the United States. Interstate and intrastate moves can follow different requirements, so first confirm which jurisdiction applies to your move.

Before you hire a mover

Check these points against the estimate and contract:

Keep the estimate, inventory, contract, bill of lading, receipts, photographs, and messages together. A single folder can save time if the price changes or something arrives damaged.

How much does it cost to hire professional movers?

There isn't one useful price for every move. Local movers often quote hourly labor. An interstate move may instead be priced using shipment weight, distance, services, and the conditions at each property.

Your price can depend on:

Ask each mover to say whether the truck, travel time, fuel, packing materials, stairs, elevator charges, storage handling, and valuation protection are included. An online price range is a planning aid, not a quote for your belongings.

Request several written estimates using the same inventory and service list. A transportation-only quote will look cheaper than one that includes packing and storage, even when the second quote is the better comparison.

What is the difference between binding and non-binding estimates?

A binding estimate generally sets the price for the inventory and services listed in the document. It doesn't make additional items or services free. Changes to the shipment, requested work, or conditions outside the agreed scope can affect what you owe.

A non-binding estimate is a projection, not a guaranteed maximum. Ask how the mover handles a shipment that weighs more than expected or a property that requires a longer carry, shuttle, or extra labor. Have changes and added charges documented before approving the work.

Read the estimate for these details:

A verbal assurance that the final bill will be "about" a particular amount isn't a substitute for those terms in writing.

How to check whether a moving company is reliable

Verify its identity and authority

For an interstate household move, search the mover in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move system. Use the legal name and USDOT number, then compare the result with the name, address, phone number, and carrier details on your estimate.

Ask directly whether the company is:

If another carrier will handle the shipment, obtain that carrier's legal name and authority information before signing or paying. A website brand or salesperson's name doesn't identify the company responsible for transporting your goods.

For a move that stays within one state, check the state's transportation or consumer agency. State registration and licensing systems differ, and an interstate database may not show whether a local mover is authorized in that state.

Registration only establishes a starting point. Also look for a consistent business identity, clear terms, direct answers to specific questions, and a claims process the company can explain without referring you back to vague website language.

Treat reviews as supporting evidence

Reviews can show repeated complaints about late delivery, damaged goods, surprise charges, or poor communication. They can't replace an authority check and a signed agreement.

Read recent positive and negative reviews across more than one platform. Slow down if the mover:

Full-service, labor-only, and storage options

Service What it usually includes Questions to ask
Full-service moving The crew may pack, load, transport, unload, and sometimes unpack Is packing included? Are supplies, furniture assembly, and unpacking charged separately?
Labor-only moving Workers load or unload a truck, trailer, or container that you arrange Who supplies the vehicle? Who handles transit, damage, and scheduling?
Packing service Movers pack some or all belongings without necessarily transporting them Are fragile items packed separately? What inventory and protection terms apply?
Storage Belongings remain in a mover's warehouse or a self-storage facility Who has custody, what access is available, and how are rent, handling, and damage covered?
Broker-arranged move A broker finds or schedules a carrier rather than transporting the goods itself Which carrier will move the shipment, and whose contract controls a claim?

Labor-only service can save you from loading or unloading without giving you control of transportation. Confirm who is responsible for the goods while they're in transit.

Storage deserves its own price breakdown. The quote should distinguish monthly rent from pickup, delivery, warehouse handling, and redelivery. Ask whether you can access the shipment and whether the mover or storage company receives and processes a damage claim.

Moving insurance and valuation protection

Moving paperwork may use the word "insurance," but a mover's protection is often described as valuation. Read the valuation statement in the bill of lading instead of relying on a sales explanation.

The Surface Transportation Board's guidance on lost or damaged household goods explains that an interstate mover's bill of lading must include a valuation statement.

Released value protection

The basic released-value level is commonly $0.60 per pound per article. It is calculated from an item's weight, not its purchase price.

For example:

That amount may be far below the item's actual value. Because the calculation is per article, the $0.60 figure doesn't represent the value of the entire shipment.

Full value protection

Ask whether the mover offers full value protection, what it costs, and whether a deductible applies. The written terms should say whether the mover may repair an item, replace it, or pay a cash amount. They should also identify exclusions and limits.

"Full value" doesn't automatically mean a new replacement for every item. Used goods, pairs or sets, items you packed yourself, high-value property, and goods with pre-existing damage may receive special treatment under the contract.

Third-party coverage

A separate moving policy may be available from another provider. Compare its exclusions, deductible, claim deadline, proof requirements, and treatment of goods in storage. You can also ask your renters or homeowners insurer whether any part of the move is covered. Don't assume that an existing policy follows your belongings during the move.

High-value belongings

The STB guidance discusses a declaration for articles of extraordinary or unusual value. Items worth more than $100 per pound may need to be listed on that form. Ask the mover which high-value inventory form applies and keep a signed copy.

Before packing, photograph expensive items, record serial numbers, and save receipts or appraisals. Tell the mover about artwork, jewelry, electronics, collectibles, antiques, and other belongings whose value isn't reflected by their weight.

What to do if something is damaged or missing

Documentation gives the mover and you something concrete to review.

Before pickup

At delivery

Inspect boxes and furniture before the crew leaves, if possible. Note visible damage or missing items on the delivery paperwork, take photographs, and keep a copy of anything you sign.

Don't discard damaged packaging. Also avoid repairing an item before asking how the mover wants the claim documented, unless leaving it unrepaired would create a safety problem.

A note on the delivery record may not complete the claim process. Submit the claim in writing through the mover's stated procedure and keep proof that you submitted it. Follow the deadline in the contract or applicable rules rather than relying on a phone call.

If the mover denies some or all of the claim, request a written explanation. Review the valuation option, exclusions, inventory, and bill of lading. The STB notes that a customer may need to pursue arbitration or file a lawsuit after a denied claim. For a significant loss, consider local legal or consumer-help resources.

Charges to settle before booking

Ask how the mover prices each of these situations:

"Additional fees may apply" isn't enough by itself. The mover should explain what triggers a charge and give you a price or calculation method where possible.

A practical moving timeline

Use this as a planning framework, not as a legal deadline.

Six to eight weeks before moving

Start earlier for summer, holidays, month-end dates, long-distance routes, or complicated storage arrangements.

Three to four weeks before moving

One to two weeks before moving

Moving day and delivery

Moving company FAQ

How far in advance should I book movers?

Book once your dates are reasonably firm. Six to eight weeks is a sensible planning target for many moves, but summer, weekends, month-end dates, interstate routes, and storage needs can require more time.

How do I verify a moving company's license?

For an interstate move, use the FMCSA Protect Your Move search tool and compare the legal name and USDOT information with the estimate. For an intrastate move, check the state's transportation or consumer agency.

Is $0.60 per pound enough protection?

Usually not for expensive, lightweight belongings. A 20-pound television, for example, could produce only a $12 calculation at that level even if its actual value is much higher. Ask about full value protection and the process for declaring high-value items.

Can a mover change a binding estimate?

A binding estimate generally covers the inventory and services listed. Extra items, added services, or conditions outside the agreed scope may change the charge. Ask for the reason and revised amount in writing before authorizing the additional work.

Should I hire a broker or a moving company?

A broker may arrange transportation but may not carry your belongings. Before paying, ask for the actual carrier's legal name, authority information, estimate, contract, and claims contact. If those details aren't available, you don't yet know who is responsible for the shipment.

What should I do if a mover damages my furniture?

Photograph the damage, preserve the packaging, note the problem on the delivery paperwork, and submit a written claim under the mover's stated process. If the claim is denied, request the reason in writing and review the contract's valuation, arbitration, and dispute terms.

Don't pay a deposit until the legal carrier, estimate type, included services, possible extra charges, delivery window, valuation option, and claims process are clear in writing.