Follow this guide to properly vet and verify their credentials, online reviews, licenses, insurance, and other key factors to avoid moving scams.
Moving to a new home can be an exciting new chapter. But it also involves trusted moving services to safely transport your belongings.
Unfortunately, some dishonest movers scam customers with bait-and-switch pricing damaged goods, or outright theft. This guide explains how to separate the good from the bad when choosing a mover.
Credentials and Documents
Carefully check credentials before booking any moving service. The table below shows key documents genuine movers should provide:
| Document | What It Proves |
| DOT license number | Authority to transport household goods between states |
| MC license number | Authority to transport household goods within a state |
| Tax ID | Legitimately registered business |
| Proof of insurance | Coverage for damaged or lost items |
- Reputable movers openly provide license and insurance information.
- Be wary if a company won’t supply these credentials. It signals potential scams.
- Verify credentials through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database. Cross-check DOT and MC numbers, legal business name, contact details and insurance status.
Online Reviews
Check independent consumer sites for ratings and reviews such as:
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Yelp
- Google Maps
- Favor companies with consistently good reviews over years. Recent bad reviews or no reviews at all are red flags.
- Pay attention to how the company responds to negative feedback. Responsiveness and active resolution reflect good customer service.
- Be wary of movers with no online presence apart from their own website. Lack of reviews means less accountability.
Use review patterns rather than relying on a couple reviews alone to judge a company’s trustworthiness.
Getting Estimates
- Get in-home estimates from 3-4 movers to compare. Estimates should be free or cost around $100-200.
- Estimators should do an in-person visual inspection of your home and possessions.
- Make sure to get binding estimates, not non-binding. Binding estimates guarantee the final price won’t exceed the estimate by more than 10%.
- Confirm what is and isn’t included to avoid unexpected fees. Ask about:
- Packing charges
- Additional insurance
- Stair, elevator, or long carry fees
- Storage fees
- Fuel surcharges
- Clearly communicate anything that might increase difficulty like narrow staircases, frequently blocked doorways or elevators, or far away parking.
If an estimate seems unrealistically low, be cautious. It may indicate a bait-and-switch scam designed to hook customers with lowball quotes that balloon after packing begins.
Service Options
Understanding a company’s service options helps determine suitability:
- Hourly or local moves make sense for shorter, simpler moves. Rates range $100-$350 per hour depending on truck size and movers.
- “Binding not-to-exceed” estimates best for predictable interstate moves. Rates depend on origin/destination and shipment details.
- “Non-binding estimated price” arrangements have no guaranteed price cap. Only choose for complex long-distance relocations with flexible budgets.
Table comparing household mover service types:
| Service Type | Price Basis | Complexity Best Suited For | Price Certainty |
| Hourly rate | Hours worked | Local/short moves | None, billed per hour used |
| Binding estimate | Fixed cost | Predictable moves | Estimate won’t exceed more than 10% of quote |
| Non-binding estimate | Approximate estimate | Variable, long-distance moves | No limit, final cost may vary significantly |
The best level of price protection depends on budget flexibility and move complexity.
Binding estimates offer good protection for simpler moves. Non-binding estimates allow flexibility for complicated jobs.
Protect Your Move
- Before the ship date, photograph expensive items and create an inventory list with movers jointly confirming each piece’s condition.
- Inspect each item as movers unload and note discrepancies immediately before signing final paperwork.
- Purchase additional valuation insurance to cover possessions beyond the basic limited liability included. This reimburses loss based on item value.
- For extra security, use credit cards when paying. This allows chargebacks if issues emerge.
By vetting credentials, comparing estimates, and inventorying possessions, customers can feel confident choosing ethical and trusted moving services.
Avoiding moving scams takes research, but following these verification steps helps prevent nightmares.
