How do I check if a mover is licensed?

For a move across state lines, look up the company's USDOT number on FMCSA's mover search. For a move inside one state, check your state's mover rules, since many states license movers themselves.

What's a reasonable deposit?

There's no federal number, but FMCSA warns about movers who demand a large deposit before the move. Pay by credit card if you can, and never hand over a large amount in cash or by wire.

How to Vet a Moving Company (and Avoid Scams)

The 5-minute background check every customer should run before signing a contract.

Start with the FMCSA

Every legitimate interstate mover has a USDOT number. Look it up at the FMCSA SAFER website to confirm active authority and insurance.

Check the complaint history

BBB rating and resolved complaints
Google reviews from the last 6 months
Yelp for local moves

Red flags

Quotes given over the phone without an inventory
Required cash deposits over 20%
No physical address listed
The company name doesn't match the truck

What to ask for

A written binding or not-to-exceed estimate, proof of insurance, and a copy of the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.

Step 1: Find out if the move is interstate

If your move crosses a state line, federal rules apply and the mover needs a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you stay inside one state, your state may license movers instead. For example, California licenses movers through its Bureau of Household Goods and Services, and Texas requires movers to be licensed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Search for your state's rules before you book.

Step 2: Look up the mover on the FMCSA website

Use FMCSA's mover search to check that:

The company is authorized for interstate household goods moves, not just freight
The name, address and phone number match what the company told you
It is listed as a carrier (it does the move) or a broker (it books the move with someone else)

Brokers are not bad, but you should know who will actually show up with the truck. Ask a broker which mover will do your move, then look up that company too.

Step 3: Read the complaints

FMCSA keeps a National Consumer Complaint Database. You can read complaint counts in the mover search results and file your own complaint if something goes wrong. Many complaints about the same problem, like surprise charges or late delivery, is a warning sign.

Step 4: Get a real estimate

A good mover wants to see your things, in person or on a video call, before giving a price. Federal rules require interstate movers to give a written estimate. If the mover is close to your home, it generally has to offer a survey in person unless you agree in writing to skip it. Ask whether the estimate is binding, non-binding or binding not-to-exceed, and get it in writing.

Step 5: Ask these questions

Do you own your trucks and employ your own crews?
What is included, and what costs extra (stairs, long carries, shuttles, storage)?
How much is the deposit, and how do I pay? Be careful with large deposits, cash-only deals or wire transfers.
What is my delivery window?
How do I file a claim, and which arbitration program do you use?

Step 6: Choose your protection

Interstate movers must offer Full Value Protection. The cheaper option, Released Value, pays only 60 cents per pound per item. Read which one you pick before you sign.

Reviews: how to read them

Online reviews help, but read them carefully. Look for reviews that describe a real move, with dates, cities and details. Be careful if many short five-star reviews appear in a few days, or if the reviews name a different company. Read the one-star reviews and see how the company answered. A good company explains and fixes problems; a bad one blames the customer or goes silent.

Get it all in writing

Before moving day, you should have a written estimate, an order for service with your dates, and a clear list of what's included. On moving day, the driver gives you the bill of lading, which is your contract. Read it before you sign. If anything is different from what you were promised, write it down and call the office before the truck leaves.

Trust your gut

If a company rushes you, won't answer questions, won't give a street address, or asks you to sign forms with blanks, choose another mover. There are many honest movers, and it is worth taking a little more time to find one.