Comparing moving companies comes down to checking five things: licensing, estimate type, liability coverage, itemized fees, and reputation. Getting quotes from at least three companies gives you enough data to spot outliers, but the cheapest price rarely tells the whole story. Here’s how to evaluate movers so you pick a reliable one at a fair price.
Verify Licensing First
Any company that moves household goods across state lines must be registered with the federal government and carry a U.S. DOT number. Before you spend time getting quotes, confirm each mover is legitimate by searching the FMCSA’s online database at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. You can look up a company by name or DOT number and review its registration status, complaint history, safety record, and whether it operates as a carrier, broker, or freight forwarder.
That last distinction matters. A broker arranges your move but hires a separate carrier to do the actual hauling. There’s nothing inherently wrong with using a broker, but you should know who will physically show up with a truck. If a company can’t clearly tell you whether it’s a carrier or a broker, move on. Also check for a real physical address. A company website with no local address and no registration or insurance information is a warning sign the FMCSA specifically flags.
Understand the Three Estimate Types
Not all moving quotes work the same way, and the type of estimate you receive determines how much you could owe on delivery day.
- Binding estimate: The price is locked in. You pay exactly that amount at delivery, and the mover can’t charge more unless you add items or services that weren’t in the original agreement. If that happens, the mover must prepare a new binding estimate before proceeding.
- Non-binding estimate: This is an approximation based on the expected weight of your shipment and the mover’s rates. Your final bill could be higher or lower depending on actual weight and services. Federal rules limit what you can be asked to pay at delivery to 110% of the non-binding estimate. The mover can bill you for the remaining balance later, but you won’t be held hostage for the full amount on moving day.
- Binding not-to-exceed estimate: A hybrid. You won’t pay more than the quoted price, but if the actual cost comes in lower, you pay the lower amount. This is generally the most consumer-friendly option when available.
When comparing quotes, make sure you’re comparing the same estimate type. A low non-binding estimate can easily balloon past a higher binding one. Always ask which type you’re being offered and get it in writing before signing anything.
Insist on an In-Home Survey
A reputable mover will want to see your belongings before quoting a price. That means sending someone to walk through your home, or at minimum conducting a detailed video survey. Any company that gives you a firm estimate over the phone or online without seeing what you own is guessing, and that guess will almost certainly shift upward on moving day.
The FMCSA lists “sight unseen” estimates as a top red flag for moving fraud. During the survey, point out everything: attic storage, garage contents, outdoor furniture, items in sheds. The more accurate the inventory, the more reliable your quote. If a company skips this step, it’s either cutting corners or planning to inflate the price later.
Compare Liability Coverage Options
Every interstate mover must offer two levels of liability protection for your belongings, and the difference between them is enormous.
Released Value Protection is free but covers almost nothing. The mover’s liability caps at 60 cents per pound per item. If a mover damages your 50-pound flat-screen TV, you’d receive $30, regardless of what the TV cost. This option exists mainly as a legal baseline.
Full Value Protection is the default unless you specifically opt out. Under this plan, the mover must either repair a damaged item, replace it with something similar, or pay you the current replacement value. The cost varies by company and may include deductible options that lower your premium. Ask each mover for their Full Value Protection rates in writing so you can compare them side by side.
One important detail: items worth more than $100 per pound (jewelry, antiques, silverware, art) must be listed individually on your shipping documents. If you don’t declare them, the mover can limit its liability for those items. Make a list of high-value belongings before your survey and make sure they appear on the paperwork.
Get Itemized Quotes, Not Lump Sums
A single bottom-line number tells you very little. Ask each company for an itemized breakdown so you can see exactly what you’re paying for and where companies differ. Common line items that catch people off guard include:
- Stair and elevator fees: Extra charges if movers need to carry items up or down flights of stairs, or if an elevator is required at either location.
- Long carry fees: If the truck can’t park close to your door, movers may charge for carrying belongings beyond a standard distance (often 75 feet).
- Oversized item charges: Pianos, hot tubs, grandfather clocks, and play sets typically cost extra to move.
- Custom crating: Fragile or oddly shaped items like artwork, chandeliers, or mirrors may need special packing at additional cost.
- Storage in transit: If your new home isn’t ready on delivery day, you’ll need temporary storage. Ask whether the rate includes climate control and whether you can access your belongings during storage.
- Shuttle service: If a full-size truck can’t reach your home (narrow streets, gated communities), a smaller vehicle may be needed for the final leg, and that transfer costs extra.
When you compare itemized quotes, you’ll often find that one company includes packing materials while another charges separately, or that stair fees vary significantly. These differences can shift the real cost by hundreds of dollars.
Check Reviews and Complaint History
Online reviews matter, but where you look matters more. Start with the FMCSA database, which shows formal complaints filed against each carrier. Then check the Better Business Bureau for resolution patterns. Google and Yelp reviews add color, but pay attention to recurring themes rather than individual complaints. Every mover gets a bad review now and then. What you’re looking for is a pattern: repeated mentions of surprise charges, hostage situations with belongings, or no-shows on moving day.
Ask each company for references from recent customers, particularly moves similar to yours in distance and size. A company that hesitates to provide references is worth questioning.
Know the Warning Signs
While you’re gathering and comparing quotes, watch for behaviors that signal trouble. A company that demands a large cash deposit before the move, asks you to sign blank or incomplete documents, or says it will determine the final cost after loading your truck is not operating in good faith. Federal regulations require movers to provide you with a booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” before you commit. If a company doesn’t mention this, ask for it directly.
On moving day itself, a rental truck showing up instead of a company-branded vehicle is a serious red flag. So is a mover suddenly claiming you have more belongings than estimated as a pretext to raise the price. If you did an in-home survey and received a binding estimate, the company has little ground to change the terms.
Create a Side-by-Side Comparison
Once you have three or more quotes, put them in a simple spreadsheet or table with these columns: estimate type (binding vs. non-binding), total quoted price, Full Value Protection cost, itemized extra fees, FMCSA registration status, complaint count, and delivery window. This makes the differences visible at a glance.
Pay close attention to delivery windows. Some movers guarantee a specific date, while others give a range of several days or even weeks for long-distance moves. A lower price with a 14-day delivery window may not be worth it if you need your belongings by a certain date. Ask whether the company offers a guaranteed delivery date and what compensation it provides if that date is missed.
The best mover for your situation balances a fair price with verified credentials, clear documentation, and realistic timelines. A company that’s transparent about fees, provides a thorough in-home survey, and shows a clean complaint history is almost always worth a modest premium over the cheapest option on your list.