How to Hire Movers
Updated 2026. Based on FMCSA registration data, BBB complaint records, and analysis of 50,000+ verified reviews.
The short version: Check FMCSA registration, get 3 binding estimates, read the 1-star reviews. If a company can't produce a USDOT number, won't give you a binding estimate, or asks for a large cash deposit upfront, walk away. The entire vetting process takes about 30 minutes and can save you thousands.
Step 1: Verify FMCSA Registration
What USDOT and MC numbers mean
Every legitimate interstate mover must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They receive two identifiers: a USDOT number (used for safety audits, inspections, and crash investigations) and an MC number (the operating authority that permits them to transport household goods for compensation). A company without both of these is either operating illegally or only licensed for intrastate moves within a single state.
How to check registration status
Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and use the "Company Snapshot" or "Licensing and Insurance" search at the bottom of the page. Search by USDOT number (most reliable) or company name. The results page shows operating status, insurance coverage, and safety rating. For complaint history, you need a separate search at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move under "check the registered mover database." Note: the SAFER search and Protect Your Move search do not always respond to the same search terms. Protect Your Move may only show results for a d/b/a name while SAFER requires the legal name. If you have the USDOT number, use that for both searches.
"Authorized" vs. "Not Authorized"
The operating status field will say either "Authorized" or "Not Authorized." Authorized means the carrier has active operating authority and current insurance on file. Not Authorized means their authority has been revoked, suspended, or never completed. Never hire a carrier showing "Not Authorized." It means they legally cannot transport your belongings, and if something goes wrong, you have no federal recourse. Trunk verifies this for every mover in our database automatically.
Step 2: Get 3 Binding Estimates
Three types of estimates
Non-binding estimate: Must be based on weight, not volume. The mover can charge up to 10% more on delivery based on actual weight (the "110% rule"). Weight can be verified by the consumer (the consumer may, but is not required to, observe the weighing).
Binding estimate: Can be based on weight or volume. The mover cannot charge more than the binding amount. However, most scams involve lowball binding estimates with volume (cubic foot) pricing. The broker or carrier then "revises" the binding estimate on moving day by claiming more items or more volume than originally estimated, creating a new higher binding estimate. Volume charges are hard to verify because there are no federal regulatory controls on how cubic footage is measured, unlike weight which has federal verification rules (49 CFR 375.507-519).
Binding not-to-exceed estimate: The best option for consumers. The price is capped at the estimate, but if the actual cost comes in lower, you pay the lower amount. Always ask for this type.
Why in-home or video surveys matter
A mover who quotes you over the phone without seeing your inventory is guessing. That guess will almost always be low to win the job, then the actual price spikes on moving day. Reputable movers insist on an in-home walkthrough or a video survey (where you walk them through your home on camera). FMCSA requires that movers offer an in-home survey for interstate moves. If a company refuses or says "we don't need to see it," that is a red flag.
Why you need three estimates
Three estimates give you a price range and help identify outliers. If two companies quote $3,500 to $4,000 and a third quotes $1,800, the low bid is almost certainly a bait-and-switch. The estimate process also lets you evaluate each company's professionalism. Did the estimator show up on time? Did they document your inventory carefully? Were they transparent about additional charges? These details predict how the actual move will go.
Step 3: Check Reviews the Right Way
Don't trust the star average
A 4.8 star average means very little in the moving industry. Review manipulation is widespread. Some companies offer discounts or gift cards for 5-star reviews, and some use non-disparagement clauses in contracts to suppress negative reviews. Trunk's analysis of moving company reviews found that companies with suspiciously high averages (4.9+ with hundreds of reviews) often show patterns consistent with review manipulation.
Read the 1-star reviews first
The 1-star reviews tell you what happens when things go wrong. Look for patterns, not one-off complaints. Every mover gets an occasional bad review. But if you see the same issues repeated (price increased on moving day, items damaged, crew showed up late, held items hostage for extra payment), those are systemic problems. Pay attention to how the company responds. Do they address the issue or just post a defensive template?
Google vs. Yelp divergence
Compare the company's rating on Google with their rating on Yelp. A large gap (for example, 4.9 on Google and 2.5 on Yelp) is a strong signal of review manipulation. Google reviews are easier to fake and harder to remove. Yelp's filter aggressively hides reviews it suspects are solicited or fake. When these two platforms tell very different stories about the same company, dig deeper before booking.
Non-disparagement clauses
Some moving companies include clauses in their contracts that penalize you for leaving negative reviews. This is a major red flag. If a company needs to legally prevent customers from sharing their experience, they know their service has problems. Check the contract for any language about reviews, social media, or "disparagement" before signing.
Step 4: Understand Liability and Insurance
Carrier liability: full value protection vs. released value
Note: FVP and released value are measures of the carrier's direct liability to you, not third-party insurance. FMCSA also requires carriers to maintain separate cargo insurance ($5,000 minimum), which serves as a backup.
Full value protection (FVP): This is the regulatory default. The mover is directly liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged items. This costs extra (typically 1% to 2% of your shipment's declared value) but provides real coverage. The mover can repair the item, replace it with a similar item, or pay you the current market value.
Released value protection ($0.60/lb): Brokers and carriers frequently get consumers to waive FVP and accept released value instead, offering only $0.60 per pound for lost and damaged goods. If a mover breaks your 50-pound TV worth $1,500, you get $30. Courts have held that for a carrier to limit liability to released value, it must obtain an "informed waiver" of FVP. This requires: (1) maintaining a tariff within prescribed guidelines, (2) obtaining the shipper's agreement as to a choice of liability, (3) giving the shipper a reasonable opportunity to choose between two or more levels of liability, and (4) issuing a receipt or bill of lading prior to moving the shipment (Nipponkoa Ins. Co. v. Atlas Van Lines, 687 F.3d 780, 7th Cir. 2012). "Reasonable opportunity" means the shipper had both reasonable notice of the liability limitation and the opportunity to obtain information necessary to making a deliberate and well-informed choice (AGCS Marine Ins. Co. v. Chillicothe Metal Co., 651 F.Supp.3d 954, C.D. Ill. 2023). If the carrier did not provide this information before moving your belongings, your waiver of FVP may be invalid regardless of what the estimate or bill of lading says.
Certificate of Insurance (COI) for apartments
Most apartment buildings and condos require movers to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the move. This document proves the mover has general liability and cargo insurance. Request the COI at least one week before your move date. A legitimate mover will produce this without hesitation. If your mover can't or won't provide a COI, your building may deny them access on moving day.
What happens with unregistered movers
If you hire an unregistered mover and they damage or lose your belongings, you have almost no recourse. They carry no federally required insurance. You cannot file a complaint with FMCSA because the carrier doesn't exist in their system. Your only option is small claims court, and many unregistered operators are difficult to locate after the move. This is why Step 1 matters so much.
Step 5: Read the Contract
Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading is the contract between you and the mover. It is a legal document. It lists the pickup and delivery addresses, the agreed price, the estimated delivery window, the valuation coverage you selected, and the terms of service. You will sign it at pickup and again at delivery. Do not sign a blank or incomplete Bill of Lading. Every field should be filled in before you put your name on it.
Inventory list
The mover will create an inventory list documenting every item loaded onto the truck, including its condition at pickup. Walk through this list with the crew leader. If an item is already damaged, make sure it is noted. At delivery, compare the inventory list to what comes off the truck. Note any missing or damaged items on the delivery paperwork before signing. Once you sign acknowledging delivery in good condition, filing a damage claim becomes much harder.
What to check before signing
Confirm the total price matches your binding estimate. Verify the delivery window is documented (not just verbal). Check which valuation coverage is listed. Look for any additional charges not discussed during the estimate (stair fees, long carry fees, shuttle fees). Read the claims process section so you know how to file if something goes wrong. Keep a copy of everything.
Request a copy of the carrier's tariff. Under federal law (49 USC 13702), every household goods carrier must publish a tariff with exact rates and service terms. The tariff is the legal basis for what they can charge you. Almost every broker estimate and carrier bill of lading contains discrepancies from the published tariff. If the carrier has no tariff, that is itself a federal violation. Having the tariff gives you leverage in a dispute and is useful evidence for a Surface Transportation Board complaint. If the carrier has no tariff, the STB can still judge whether the rate or practice is "reasonable" on a quantum meruit basis, and the absence of a tariff is itself a violation of federal law.
Red Flags That Should Kill the Deal
No USDOT number
If a mover cannot produce a USDOT number or their number comes back "Not Authorized" on FMCSA's site, they are operating illegally. Full stop.
Large upfront deposit
Reputable movers charge on delivery. A demand for a large cash deposit (anything over 20% or any amount in cash only) is a hallmark of moving scams. Some companies collect the deposit and disappear.
Won't give a binding estimate
If a company insists on non-binding estimates only, they are leaving the door open to increase your price on moving day when you have no leverage.
Suspiciously low price
If one bid is 40% to 50% below the others, it is almost certainly a lowball to win the job. The real price surfaces on moving day, after your belongings are on the truck.
No physical address
A mover with no verifiable physical address, just a P.O. box or a virtual office listing, is hard to hold accountable. Check Google Maps street view for the listed address.
Can't provide a COI
If your building requires a Certificate of Insurance and the mover can't produce one, they either lack insurance or are not a real moving company. Either way, don't hire them.
What to Expect on Moving Day
Crew arrival. The crew should arrive within the scheduled window. A professional crew will introduce themselves, walk through your home, and confirm the scope of the job. They will lay down floor runners and pad doorframes to protect your home during loading.
Inventory and condition tagging. The crew leader creates a numbered inventory of every item, noting any pre-existing damage (scratches, dents, stains). Review this carefully. Anything not documented as damaged at pickup is assumed to have been in perfect condition, which matters if you need to file a claim later.
Loading. Professional movers wrap furniture in moving blankets and shrink wrap before loading. Heavy items go on first, fragile items go on top or in protected sections. A well-loaded truck uses every inch of space to prevent shifting during transit.
Transit. For local moves, the truck goes directly to your new home. For long-distance moves, your shipment may be transferred between trucks or stored temporarily at a warehouse. Your Bill of Lading will specify the delivery window. Keep your phone accessible, as the driver will typically call 24 hours before delivery.
Delivery and inspection. At delivery, check every item against the inventory list. Open boxes and inspect contents before signing the delivery receipt. Photograph any damage immediately. Once you sign acknowledging delivery in good condition, it is significantly harder to file a successful claim. You have 9 months to file a written claim for interstate moves, but documenting damage at delivery is critical.