Moving companies provide a variety of services for a range of fees.  It is a good idea to talk with different movers to compare their services.  Ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences with the movers that they have used.  After you have collected a few names of movers, check and see if they are members of any national or state moving associations (such as the American Moving and Storage Association).  You should also check with any consumer organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), in your local area.

Yellow Pages Ads – Anyone can advertise in the Yellow Pages, it does not mean that they are licensed or insured – so, don’t believe everything that you read.  If a mover includes his license (DOT or ICC) number in his ad, check it out first.  For interstate movers, you can find out this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) at their www.protectyourmove.gov Web site.

The Internet – Just like yellow pages advertising, when a mover or a broker has a Web site, it does not mean that the mover or broker is licensed or insured; it only means that they had enough money to pay for the site  – so, don’t believe everything that you read.  If a mover includes its license (DOT or ICC) number in its ad, check it out first.  For interstate movers, you can find out this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at their www.protectyourmove.gov Web site.   Some movers even display the logo of the BBB or other associations even though they are not members of those organizations – so check first.  You can verify AMSA membership by contacting their Membership Department at 703-683-7410. 

Moving Brokers – Most brokers (especially those that operate on the Internet) do not own trucks or warehouses like traditional movers.  Instead, they operate by collecting a deposit or a fee from you and then arranging for your move to be handled by one of their affiliated movers. 

Depending on the caliber of the broker, some of their affiliated movers may not be licensed.  By law, brokers are required to provide their customers with their DOT Permit Number, a copy of the FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move brochure, a list of movers that they are affiliated with and a clear statement advising that they are a broker of moving services and not a moving company.  Think carefully about doing business with a broker who does not provide this information to you and who does not provide you with the identity of the mover that will be used to move your goods.

The deposit or fee that the broker collects will be based on their guess of how much you are going to move based on a telephone or Internet survey that you provide.  (If the mover will not come to your home to survey your furnishings before preparing your estimate, be prepared for an unpleasant surprise when the final charge turns out to be much higher than the original estimate provided over the phone or the Internet.)  Usually you will not have the same consumer protection when you use a broker as with a traditional moving company.  Also, after the broker collects its deposit or fee, you may find it difficult to get them interested in helping you in the event of a claim or dispute with the mover that they have arranged for you.

Referral Companies and Lead Agencies – When you use an Internet-based referral company or lead agency, you will generally not be asked to pay a fee or deposit because their fee is generated from the mover who is provided with your lead or referral information.  When the referral company recommends movers, check to make sure that the movers are licensed by the FMCSA, that they have a satisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and that they are members of a recognized national association, such as the American Moving and Storage Association or a State moving association.

1. Get a written estimate or onsite estimate if possible:  Don’t hire a company without getting your quote in writing.  You should find out if your move is hourly or priced by weight and distance, depending on state regulations, and whether your move is local or going out of state.  It is a good idea to have an onsite survey/estimate, there are many scams out there from “on the go movers”, this will help you get a good feel of the company you are dealing with, and the company can get an accurate idea of what your move entails (whether its truck size, materials, equipment, tools, etc to ensure a safe move for your items.)  However, there are some exceptions, for instance, the state of Ohio does not require a written estimate if the move is under $500, or booked within 5 days of the move.
2. Don’t let price be the only criteria for choosing a mover:  Going for the cheapest mover is not always the best choice.  It is a good idea to get at least 3 quotes so you can compare and see what each company has to offer. Is the moving company experienced?  “Are they special movers”?  This is the question to ask.  If a company is offering a lot of freebies, this is a RED FLAG, and you need to investigate a little further.
3. Don’t hire a company that does not have moving authority/license/insurance: Every state has its regulations on moving companies whether it is a local move or interstate move.  Some movers are not required to be licensed in certain states.  This is something to investigate with your state representatives, or the federal motors carrier safety administration (www.protectyourmove.org) to check licensure for local and interstate movers.  Make sure the company you choose has insurance (liability and workmen’s compensation insurance also).  This does not mean your items are insured, make sure you ask about the companies options for coverage.
4. Try to avoid scheduling last minute moves: Summer time is usually a busy time of the year for most moving companies.  Be smart!  Plan ahead.   Allow enough time to get your written or onsite estimate, that way you can hire the “amazing movers” you are searching for.
5. Be careful of a company who only takes cash: Reminds you of someone who does not want a paper trail.  Most reputable companies will take credit cards, certified funds, or cash as an option to you.
6. Make sure the company has a physical address:
7. Avoid a company who doesn’t use their own employees: Be careful of companies who use day labor or temporary labor from an agency.  If they are not employees, chances are they don’t have a lot of moving experience, and you want to protect yourself from damage, theft, etc.
8. Avoid a company whose trucks and equipment are not their own or old and dilapidated: Make sure the company you use has the proper licensing on their trucks, equipment, drivers, etc.  Finding out the size of vehicle that will be used, make, model and age does not hurt either.
9. Avoid using a company that gives you a price without getting any detailed information: Information you should be providing to the mover is a detailed list of furniture, misc items, approximate # of boxes, access to your origin and destination, flights of stairs/elevators.  If a company gives you a quote without this information, most likely they are not very concerned on how your move will turn out.
10. Avoid a company who wants to be paid upfront: Some companies do require a deposit.  In most states payment for local moves is collected at the end of the move.  Long distance moves before the mover unloads at your destination.  If moving out of state, get a binding estimate.
11. Avoid a company who has a lot of complaints: Protect yourself and choose the right mover.  A good idea is to use a company; you know someone else has had a good experience with.  Check with your state representatives.  Other resources are www.bbb.org (if a company has a low number of complaints with the better business bureau, this is a good sign), www.angieslist.com, www.yelp.com,   www.protectyourmove.com, and www.movingscam.com .

Choosing a mover does not need to be a stressful task.  Do your homework and you should be ok at the end.

1. Choose a licensed mover and check their record.  Each state has a governing body like the Illinois Commerce Commission in Illinois.  A quick phone call to the agency can serve 2 purposes.  First confirmation that the moving company in question has a license and the length of time they have had it.  Second, if there are any complaints lodged against the mover and if there have ever been any license suspensions or revocations.  Also check with your states attorney general’s office to check for complaints.  Verify their workmen’s compensation licensing and general liability, but know that most states require proof of insurance to obtain a moving license.
2. Check with Moving Associations.  There are many states that having moving and warehousemens associations, and they can also be used as a good reference with laws, regulations, and steps to finding a reputable mover in your state, and any other moving related questions you may have.  For instance in the state of Illinois, the Illinois Movers’ and Warehosemen’s Association would be a great reference tool, www.imawa.com.
3. Check as many organizations or internet resources as possible for a reference.  The Better business Bureau can be useful to see how many complaints a mover has had in the last 36 months.  (www.bbb.org, go to the USA site, or if outside the US the other site, then click check out a business/charity, type in the company’s name-you must type the companies name and city exactly to view their profile)  Remember 2 things about the BBB.  New companies are not eligible to join for the first 12 months they are in existence.  Just because a company is a member of the BBB does not mean that they have a good rating.  If a mover has a small number of complaints like 2 or 3, this isn’t necessarily a reason to disqualify them.  See what the complaint is about and discuss it with the potential mover.  If they do hundreds or thousands of moves per year it can mean an approval rate of 99.9%.  Find out how many moves they do in a year.  For example 20 complaints in 300-400 moves are very high.  Internet sites like www.yelp.com, or www.angieslist.com, can give you some more information on your moving company.  Sometimes a pattern can be observed when visiting websites.  Check local realtors to see if they have a preferred vendor list.  Last but not least, see if your state has a moving organization like the IMAWA, Illinois Movers and Warehouseman’s Association to see if your potential mover is a member and if they are in good standing and have positive reviews.
4. Ask relatives, friends, coworker, etc. if they have positive or negative reviews of any movers they have used or are familiar with.  Ask as many people as possible but try and find people that have had the same type of move as you are in need of.  For example is it an apartment, house move, local or interstate, self pack or carrier pack, etc.  Find a mover that excels in your specific needs.  If you get a good reference that seems promising go to # 1 and #2 for due diligence.  You can also ask a mover for references, but remember everybody has somebody that likes them.

These 4 areas are a good start when trying to locate a good household or home mover.