How to Choose a Moving Company

Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026

The two most reliable predictors of a good moving company are proper licensing and a written binding estimate. Everything else is secondary. A moving company with glowing reviews and no FMCSA registration is still a risk. A company with a solid reputation and a vague "we'll figure it out on the day" attitude is still a risk.

Here's how to work through the selection process.

Start With Licensing

For any interstate move (crossing state lines), the company must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and carry a valid USDOT number.

Look up any company at protectyourmove.gov before spending any time on them. If they're not in the database or their license is inactive, move on. There are plenty of legitimate movers.

For in-state moves, most states have their own licensing requirements. Ask the company for their state license number and look it up.

Brokers and carriers are different. If a company books your move but hands it off to another carrier on moving day, you need to know who the carrier is and that they're also licensed. Legitimate brokers will tell you.

Get Multiple Written Estimates

Three written estimates is the minimum. Five is better for expensive or long-distance moves.

Each estimate should be based on an actual inventory of your belongings, either in-person or via a thorough video walkthrough. Estimates provided from a bedroom count over the phone are not reliable enough to use as a basis for comparison.

When you have three written estimates, you can:

Compare total costs on a level basis
Identify what each company is and isn't including
Spot the outlier (the quote that's suspiciously low is usually low for a reason)
Negotiate

For more on getting and interpreting estimates, see How to Get and Compare Moving Quotes.

Compare on These Factors

Price (but not only price). The lowest estimate is not always the best choice. Know what's included before comparing numbers.

Licensing status. Confirmed, not just claimed.

Years in business. Not a guarantee, but established companies have reputations to protect.

Reviews. Look at Google and the BBB. Look for patterns in negative reviews more than individual complaints. One bad review from someone who was clearly unreasonable tells you less than five reviews all mentioning lost items.

Insurance options. Does the company offer full-value protection, or only released-value? At what cost?

Claims process. What happens if something breaks? Ask how long claims typically take and how they're resolved. A company that's vague about this is telling you something.

Subcontractors. Some companies use their own trained employees. Others hire subcontractors, which varies in quality. Ask directly.

Trucks. Moving day surprises are less likely when the company's trucks show up branded. Unmarked trucks aren't a definitive red flag, but they're worth noting.

Questions to Ask Before Deciding

Before choosing a company, get answers to at least these questions:

What is your USDOT number and how long have you been registered?
Will your own employees perform my move, or subcontractors?
What type of estimate are you providing, and what happens if my inventory changes?
What full-value protection options do you offer?
What is your process for damaged or lost items, and what's the typical timeline?
What fees apply for stairs, long carries, or specialty items?

If a company is evasive or annoyed by any of these, treat it as information. Good movers answer these questions every day.

For a complete list, see Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers.

Understand What You're Signing

The bill of lading is the legal contract for your move. It should reflect what you agreed to in the estimate. If the numbers or services don't match, do not sign until you understand why.

For long-distance moves, federal regulations require the mover to provide "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." Reading it takes about 15 minutes and covers what happens if your shipment is late, damaged, or held for additional payment.

Timing: When to Book

For moves in peak season (May through September), book at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. For summer weekend moves in popular cities, 8 weeks out is not excessive.

Off-peak moves (October through April, weekdays) are easier to book closer to your move date. A reputable company can often accommodate 2 to 3 weeks' notice in the fall or winter.

Waiting until the last minute leaves you with fewer choices and less negotiating room. The companies still available in week-before peak season are often the ones other customers didn't book.

One Practical Check Before You Commit

Before signing with any company, search "[company name] complaints" and "[company name] FMCSA." Also look them up on the Better Business Bureau. You're not looking for zero complaints (some volume of complaints is normal for any large-volume service business). You're looking for patterns and for how the company responded.

A company that ignores complaints, or responds with hostility rather than resolution, is telling you how they'll handle your problem if something goes wrong.

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