Before you pay a deposit
How to check a moving company
Five checks that take a few minutes and protect you from the most common moving scams. Do them for every company you're considering, before you book.
Find out if your move is interstate or local
If you're crossing a state line, the mover must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Moves within one state are covered by state rules, which vary.
Look up the registration
For interstate moves, ask for the USDOT number and confirm it using FMCSA's mover search on its Protect Your Move pages. Check that the name and address match the estimate. For local moves, search your state's transportation or public utility agency.
Mover or broker?
A broker sells the move and hands it to a separate carrier. That's legal if they're registered as a broker, but ask who will actually carry your things, and check that company too.
Get a written estimate after a survey
A real estimate comes after someone sees your things in person or on a live video call. Compare at least three. Be cautious of any quote far below the rest. How estimates work.
Check complaints and reviews
Look at FMCSA complaint data for interstate movers, your state attorney general's office, and recent reviews on more than one site.