What to Ask Before Hiring a Mover (and the Red Flags to Watch For)

What moving costs

• Local moves: about $876 to $2,547
• Long-distance moves: about $2,700 to $10,000 or more

Your price depends mostly on how much stuff you have and how far it's going.

Local vs. interstate: which rules apply?

Moves within one state follow that state's rules. Check your state's requirements for licensing and insurance.

Moves across state lines follow federal rules from FMCSA, the agency that oversees interstate movers. Those rules cover estimates, damage protection, and claims.

The questions to ask every mover

About the company 1. "What's your USDOT number?" Movers who cross state lines must have one. Look it up on FMCSA's website. 2. "Are you the mover, or a broker?" A broker books your move with another company. Ask who will actually show up. 3. "Do you have a local address?"

About the price 4. "Can you do an in-home or video survey?" 5. "Is this a binding or non-binding estimate?" 6. "What could make the price change?" Ask about stairs, long walks to the truck, elevators, and packing supplies. 7. "When do I pay, and how?"

About your things 8. "What protection do I get if something breaks?" 9. "How do I file a claim, and how long do I have?"

Know your estimate type

• Binding estimate: the price is locked in for the items listed.
• Non-binding estimate: the price can change. But at delivery, a mover can't make you pay more than 110% of a non-binding estimate. They must bill you for the rest later, after at least 30 days.

Understand the damage protection

By law, interstate movers must offer two options:

• Released value: no extra cost, but it only pays 60 cents per pound per item. A 10-pound TV worth $1,000 would get you $6.
• Full value protection: costs more. The mover must repair it, replace it, or pay what it costs to replace.

If you own anything valuable, released value is rarely enough.

If something is lost or damaged

For interstate moves, federal rules set these deadlines:

• You have 9 months from delivery to file a claim in writing.
• The mover must acknowledge it within 30 days.
• The mover must decide within 120 days whether to offer a settlement.

Red flags from FMCSA

The federal agency that oversees interstate movers lists these warning signs:

• They give an estimate over the phone or online without seeing your things.
• They won't give you a written estimate, or say they'll figure out the cost after loading.
• They want cash or a large deposit before the move.
• They ask you to sign blank papers.
• They don't give you the "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet.
• Their website has no local address and nothing about their registration or insurance.
• They answer the phone with just "Movers" instead of a company name.
• A rental truck shows up instead of a company truck.
• They say you have more stuff than they estimated.

On moving day

• Read everything before you sign, especially the bill of lading. That's your contract.
• Keep valuables with you: papers, jewelry, medicine, and electronics.
• Take photos of furniture and electronics before they're packed.
• Check everything at delivery and write down any damage on the paperwork before you sign.

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