How To Choose a Good Moving Company

Why Trust HireAHelper on Choosing Movers

HireAHelper is a moving-labor marketplace that has connected customers with movers since 2007. More than 1 million customers have moved with the platform's help, and HireAHelper’s marketplace includes thousands of reliable movers across the U.S.

We also publish research on moving scams, including studies on how moving scams are changing, how scam reports rose in 2023, and how to tell whether a mover is real. Since HireAHelper is a marketplace, not a single moving company, this advice is meant to help you compare any mover with more confidence.

Your Needs Determine How You Choose Your Mover

What you need from a moving company depends on what and how far you're moving, and how much help you want. A few key factors, like the distance of your move, whether you're moving a home or an office, and any specialty items like pianos, will also help you narrow your search.

Residential vs. Commercial Moves

Residential movers usually handle homes, apartments, condos, and everyday household furniture. Commercial movers are usually better prepared for offices, retail spaces, IT equipment, cubicles, and moves that have to happen after business hours.

The difference matters because the equipment and experience are not always the same. A great residential crew may not be the right fit for server racks or office workstations, and a commercial crew may also not be the best choice for a smaller apartment move on a weekend.

Before you book, ask the mover how often they handle moves like yours. A simple question like, *“How many moves like this have you done this year?*” can tell you a lot.

Local vs. Long-Distance Moves

Local moves usually stay within the same city, metro area, or state. Long-distance moves, on the other hand, cover more miles. Plus, when a move crosses state lines, it is considered an interstate move and must follow federal rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Interstate movers must also have a USDOT number, which you can check through FMCSA’s mover search tool.

For moves that stay within one state, licensing rules vary. Your mover may be regulated by a state agency, consumer affairs office, or state moving association. It is worth checking what your state requires before you book.

Distance also affects the price. Generally, local moves are usually charged by the hour, while long-distance moves are often based on shipment weight, mileage, and any extra services you add. Before you sign anything, ask the company whether your move is considered local, intrastate, or interstate so you know which rules and paperwork apply.

Full-Service vs. Labor-Only vs. Containers

Most moving help falls into three main categories. The right choice depends on how much you want to do yourself and how much you want to spend.

• Full-service movers: The company provides the truck, drives it, and handles loading and unloading. Many also offer packing.
• Labor-only movers: You rent the truck or container, and movers help with the loading, unloading, and furniture assembly/disassembly. Packing is sometimes available as an add-on service.
• Moving containers or freight trailers: A company drops off the container or trailer, you load it yourself (or hire movers to do it for you), and the company transports it to your new home.

Full-service movers cost the most because you are paying for the truck, crew, fuel, transportation, and more hands-on help. They can be a good fit for long-distance moves, specialty items, or anyone who wants to be less involved on moving day.

Labor-only help is usually more budget-friendly. You still have to handle the transportation yourself, after all. According to HireAHelper's proprietary cost database, in 2026, a full-service local move for a typical 2-bedroom home runs around $1,480, while pairing a rental truck with hired labor can cut that close to half.

Containers can be a nice option, too. You get time to load at your own pace, and you can still hire moving labor for the heavy lifting. This works especially well if you need flexible move-out timing or temporary storage.

Specialty Services and Items

Specialty items are belongings that are heavy, fragile, valuable, unusually shaped, or difficult to move safely. Not every moving company handles them, and some require extra equipment, added fees, or a separate specialist.

Common specialty items include:

• Pianos
• Heavy safes
• Hot tubs
• Oil paintings and artwork
• Fragile antiques
• Plants for long-distance moves
• Garden items and outdoor plants

Tell every mover about these items before you get a quote. Ask whether they have moved similar items before, what equipment they use, whether extra fees apply, and what kind of valuation or insurance options are available.

9 Steps To Choosing a Good Moving Company

Choosing a good mover involves more than comparing prices. You’ll want to give yourself 4 to 6 weeks to check reviews, verify licenses, and read the contract before you book. If you’re moving during peak times, like in summer or on a weekend, start closer to 8 weeks out so you have more options.

HireAHelper can save you some of that research time by showing vetted local movers, hourly rates, reviews, and availability in one place. But if you’d rather do the research yourself, here’s what to check before choosing a moving company.

Step 1: Get Quotes From at Least 3 Companies

Getting at least three written quotes helps you spot the normal price range for your move. It also makes it easier to notice a quote that is much lower than the others, which can be a red flag.

A legitimate mover should give you a written estimate based on real details about your move. For a full-service or long-distance move, that usually means an in-home or virtual survey, not a vague phone quote. A mover can ask questions by phone first, but the final estimate should be itemized and in writing.

There are three common estimate types:

• Binding estimate: The price is fixed for the listed items and services.
• Non-binding estimate: The final price can change based on actual weight and services.
• Binding not-to-exceed estimate: The price can go down if the shipment is lighter, but it cannot go above the agreed cap.

When comparing quotes, look at the details, not just the total. Compare labor hours, crew size, travel time, fuel, stairs, long carries, packing materials, valuation coverage, and any extra fees. You can also use HireAHelper’s guide to free moving quotes from local companies to understand what a useful quote should include.

Step 2: Look Them Up on the BBB

Look up each candidate mover on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to check their letter grade, which runs from A+ to F. Confirm whether they have any complaints on file, and whether they've taken steps to resolve them.

Step 3: Check Reviews

Read reviews across 2-3 platforms before you decide on a mover. Look at how the company responds to negative reviews (a defensive or dismissive reply is a bad sign), whether multiple reviews mention the same complaint (e.g., hidden fees or no-shows), and how recent the reviews are.

It also matters where the reviews come from. Open review platforms can be flooded with fake five-star ratings or reviews left by competitors, since almost anyone can post. HireAHelper's reviews work differently: every one is tied to a verified, completed booking, which is part of why HireAHelper's marketplace currently averages 4.8 out of 5 stars across hundreds of thousands of customer reviews.

Where To Find Trustworthy Reviews

Start with Google Business Profiles, the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and booking-platform reviews like HireAHelper’s moving company listings. After that, you can check less official sources like Reddit to see whether people are discussing the company in your area.

Step 4: Verify Their License and Insurance

Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry a USDOT number. Local-only movers need a state license instead, and the issuing agency varies by state, often a state DOT equivalent or consumer-protection agency.

You should confirm your movers have the right license before you sign anything. Use FMCSA's mover search tool to confirm an interstate mover's USDOT number, registration status, and complaint history. For a local-only move, search your state's name plus "moving company license verification" to find your state's lookup tool.

Also ask for proof of cargo insurance and general liability insurance. Without it, you have no recourse if your belongings or someone else's property get damaged.

Step 5: Ask for References

Don't hesitate to ask a moving company for references from recent customers. It's even better if they can connect you with clients who had similar moving needs, such as those who added on furniture disassembly and reassembly. Speaking directly with past customers can give you a good idea of what to expect.

Any reputable company should have no problem handing over references without hesitation. If they avoid the request, ghost you, make excuses, or outright refuse, especially if they do it with an attitude or a hint of gaslighting, that's a huge red flag.

Step 6: Check for Red Flags

The most notable red flags are thankfully the ones you can verify in seconds. If you call the company and the number doesn't work, or you search the address on Google Maps and Street View shows an empty lot, that's a major problem. Another is a website filled with placeholder text and stock photos, with no substantive information about the company.

Other common red flags include:

• No written estimate
• No in-home or video estimate for a full-service or long-distance move
• A quote that is much lower than every other estimate
• A large upfront deposit
• Cash-only payment
• No physical address on the website
• No USDOT number for an interstate move
• Unmarked trucks or unidentified workers
• Pressure to book immediately
• Vague answers about fees, insurance, or who will handle the move

Some scams start with a low quote and end with the mover demanding more money before delivery, effectively holding your belongings hostage. HireAHelper has covered real moving scam stories and the rise of moving scams if you want to know what these situations can look like in more detail.

Step 7: Look for Green Flags

You don’t have to just watch out for the pitfalls. There are some aspects about a moving company that indicate they’re likely trustworthy and reliable. The strongest green flags are good communication and transparency. A reputable company responds quickly, answers your questions by phone, email, or in person, and hands you a contract you can read before you sign. Membership in the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Moving and Storage Conference is another good sign of industry commitment.

Step 8: Verify Their USDOT Number

Interstate movers must be registered with the federal government, and the USDOT number helps you confirm that the company is authorized to move household goods across state lines.

You can usually find the USDOT number on the mover’s website, estimate, contract, truck, or email signature. If you cannot find it, ask directly.

In the FMCSA mover database, look for:

• Active authority status
• Household goods authority, not just general freight
• Company name and address that match what the mover gave you
• Complaint history
• Safety information
• Whether the company is a carrier, broker, or freight forwarder
• Registration date that matches the company’s claims

The FMCSA also explains the 110% rule for non-binding interstate estimates. If your final bill is more than 110% of the non-binding estimate, the mover must release your shipment when you pay 110% at delivery, then bill the remaining charges later.

If a local intrastate mover does not have a USDOT number, that is not always a red flag. Some local-only movers do not need one. In that case, check the state license instead.

Step 9: Listen To Your Gut

Your intuition is a powerful tool when deciding whether a moving company deserves your business. If your gut is screaming at you not to do it, even if everything else seems to check out, it's a sign to keep looking. The following can help you make an informed decision.

Signs they’re a quality company:

• They answer your phone calls during business hours
• They provide a copy of your contract and bill of lading
• They provide dates, times, and costs in writing
• They document the condition of your belongings during the moving process
• Their prices aren't too good to be true

Indicators they might be a company to avoid:

• They don't ask questions about the moving project.
• They pressure you to book quickly or pay upfront.
• They show up in unmarked trucks or as unidentified/temporary workers.
• They give vague answers, communicate poorly, or make you uncomfortable during interactions.

How HireAHelper Vets Movers

You can vet movers yourself, but it takes time. You may spend hours collecting quotes, checking USDOT or state license records, reading reviews on several platforms, verifying insurance, and cross-checking complaint history.

HireAHelper does much of that work before movers even appear in our marketplace.

Our vetting process includes checks for:

• License verification, including state licensing for local moves and USDOT or FMCSA records where required
• Insurance verification, including cargo and general liability where applicable
• Complaint-history review through federal, state, and internal sources
• Customer-review standards, including review count and average rating
• Pricing transparency, with hourly rates shown upfront

You can compare vetted movers in your zip code by hourly rate, review score, service type, and availability. You can also read verified customer reviews from past HireAHelper bookings instead of relying only on generic web reviews.

Why It's Important To Avoid a Bad Moving Company

A bad moving company can turn moving day into a financial and emotional mess, and sometimes even into a literal standoff over your own furniture. The most serious problems include:

• The mover won't unload your belongings until you pay an inflated final bill, sometimes called a held-hostage move.
• The company never arrives on moving day, often after you've already paid a non-refundable deposit.
• Your belongings get lost or damaged, and minimal valuation coverage leaves you with little or no compensation.
• A low non-binding quote balloons at delivery. The 110% rule limits how much a registered interstate mover can do this, but it still happens, especially with brokers who resell your move to an unverified carrier.

Reading your contract carefully, before you sign, is the single best way to avoid all four of these outcomes. For a closer look at how the best movers actually operate, see who the best moving companies are.

How To Read Your Moving Contract

Your moving contract is really three documents: the estimate, the order for service, and the bill of lading. Together, they spell out your price, your level of liability protection, and your legal recourse if something goes wrong.

Before you sign anything, make sure the document is filled out completely. Never sign a blank or incomplete contract. Federal law also requires interstate movers to give you a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move before you sign the order for service, so read it.

Estimate Types: Binding, Non-Binding, and Binding Not-to-Exceed

Movers typically offer one of three types of estimates, and the type you get changes how much risk you're taking on.

• A binding estimate locks in your total price based on the inventory and services listed, regardless of whether your shipment ends up weighing more or less. It's predictable, but you won't save money if your final weight comes in lower.
• A non-binding estimate is the mover's best guess based on estimated weight, and the final bill is based on actual weight and services. Federal law caps how much more you can be charged at delivery (the 110% rule), but your bill can still come in higher than expected.
• A binding not-to-exceed estimate caps your price at the original quote but lets you pay less if your shipment weighs in lower. It's the most consumer-friendly option when a mover offers it, since you only stand to gain.

Bill of Lading and Inventory List

The bill of lading is the legal contract between you and your mover, and it's the single most important document in your move. It should include:

• Your name and new address
• The mover's legal name, address, and USDOT number
• An itemized inventory of what's being shipped
• The agreed dates, costs, and accepted forms of payment
• Your chosen valuation or insurance coverage
• Signatures from both you and the mover

A separate inventory list tracks the condition of each item before it's loaded, which protects you if something turns up damaged or missing at delivery. Without one, it's your word against the mover's.

Beyond the official paperwork, take your own photos and videos of higher-value items before moving day. It costs nothing and gives you a timestamped record if you ever need to file a claim. For more on building your own list, see how inventory sheets protect you on a move.

Valuation Coverage vs. Moving Insurance

Valuation coverage is the liability a mover takes on for your belongings, and it's not the same as insurance, even though movers sometimes call it that.

Released value protection is the free, default option: movers are liable for just 60 cents per pound per item, regardless of its actual value. It's better than nothing, but it won't come close to covering a damaged TV or antique dresser.

Full value protection costs extra but covers the actual replacement value of lost or damaged items, often with a $5,000 minimum declared value. Some movers offer it with a deductible to lower the cost.

Third-party moving insurance is a separate policy you can buy on top of either option, useful if you don't fully trust your mover's own coverage. Choose your valuation level before the mover loads your truck, not after. For more on how this works, see what moving insurance actually covers.

Questions To Ask When Choosing a Moving Company

Before choosing a moving company, ask each mover the same questions so you can compare answers fairly. A trustworthy mover should be able to answer clearly and put important details in writing.

• Do you provide a written, in-home or virtual estimate? For full-service or long-distance moves, yes, they should provide a written estimate based on a detailed inventory or visual survey. Phone-only ballparks are not enough.
• What’s your USDOT number or state license number? Interstate movers should provide a USDOT number. Local-only movers should provide the license or registration required in your state.
• Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed? The mover should tell you which type it is and how that affects your final bill.
• What’s included in the labor rate vs. add-ons? Ask about travel time, stairs, long carries, packing materials, fuel, equipment, furniture assembly, and minimum hours.
• What does your valuation coverage include? Ask what coverage is included, what it pays, and whether you can purchase more protection.
• How do you handle delays or damage claims? The mover should explain the claim process, deadline, documentation needed, and who to contact.
• What’s your cancellation or rescheduling policy? Ask how much notice you need, whether deposits are refundable, and what happens if your closing date changes.
• Will my crew be your employees or day labor? You want to know who is coming into your home, how they are trained, and whether the company stands behind their work.
• Can you provide 2-3 recent customer references I can call? A reputable mover should be willing to connect you with recent customers, especially for larger or more complex moves.
• Do you charge for stairs, long carries, or shuttle service? These fees can add up, so ask before you compare quotes.

For even more questions worth asking yourself before you book, see the most important questions to ask movers (and yourself) before moving.

What Should I Expect to Pay?

Expect to pay about $400 to $1,500 for a local move, or $2,000 to $6,000 or more for a long-distance move. Your final cost depends on your home size, distance, and how much help you need.

Local moves are usually charged by the hour. If you only need help loading or unloading, labor-only movers often cost $80 to $120 per hour for a two-person crew. Full-service movers cost more because they also bring the truck and handle transportation. For a typical 2-bedroom home, that comes to about $1,480 (HireAHelper proprietary cost database, 2026).

Long-distance moves are usually based on weight and mileage. For example, a full-service 3-bedroom move of about 1,200 miles costs around $6,260 on average (HireAHelper proprietary cost database, 2026). You can usually spend less by renting a truck or container than by hiring movers just for the loading and unloading.