How to Choose a Moving Company
Every mover sounds confident on the phone. The real differences show up in the written estimate, the insurance paperwork, and who actually knocks on your door on moving day. This guide covers what to check before you sign anything, no matter which company you hire.
Get the estimate in writing
A phone quote is not a price. Ask for a written estimate that states the hourly rate, the minimum number of hours, the crew size, and what counts as an extra charge. If a company will not put a number in writing before your move, that is information on its own.
- Ask whether the estimate is hourly or flat rate, and what triggers a change to either one
- Get the crew size and truck size in writing, not just a total price
- Ask what happens if the move runs long, and what happens if it finishes early
Ask who actually shows up
Some companies you call are brokers. They take your booking, then hand the job to a subcontracted crew you never spoke to and cannot vet. Ask directly: is this company the crew, or does it dispatch the job to someone else?
- Ask if the crew is employed directly by the company or subcontracted out
- Ask where the company is actually based, not just what city the ad targets
- A real, visitable business address is a good sign. A phone number with no address behind it is not
Confirm insurance before you need it
Ask what coverage is included by default and what it actually pays out if something is damaged. Ask whether you can buy additional coverage for high-value items, and get the answer in writing, not a verbal assurance.
- Ask for a certificate of insurance, especially for a condo or office move that requires one for the building
- Ask what the claims process looks like if something is damaged
- Do not assume "we're insured" means what you think it means. Ask for the specifics
Understand exactly how the clock is counted
This is where hourly moves are won or lost on trust. Ask when the clock starts: from arrival at your door, or from when the truck leaves the yard. Ask when it stops. Ask if travel time between your old and new address is included in the rate. A company that publishes this clearly, like an hourly rate of $165 per hour with a 3 hour minimum stated on the page before you ever call, is telling you something about how it operates.
- Ask exactly when billing starts and stops
- Ask if there is a minimum number of hours, and what it is
- Ask what an extra mover costs if the job needs one, look for a published rate like $55 per hour rather than a vague answer
Watch for the honest red flags
A few signs are worth walking away from immediately: a deposit that must be paid in cash only, a quote given with no questions asked about your inventory, an estimate with no company name or address attached, and a crew that shows up in an unmarked truck. None of these prove a scam by themselves, but together they are a pattern.
- No written estimate, ever, is the biggest red flag
- Cash-only deposits with no receipt
- A quote given sight-unseen with no questions about volume or access
Good to know
Should I get more than one moving quote?
Yes. Get at least two or three estimates so you can compare crew size, insurance coverage, and how each company counts hours. A wide gap between quotes is worth asking about directly.
What's the difference between hourly and flat-rate moving?
Hourly pricing charges for the time and crew your move actually takes. Flat-rate gives one fixed number based on an inventory list, which can work well if your move is predictable but leaves less room to adjust if the day goes differently than planned.
Do I need to buy extra moving insurance?
It depends on what you're moving. Ask what default coverage is included and what it pays per item. For higher-value furniture, art, or electronics, extra coverage is worth pricing out before moving day, not after something breaks.
How do I know if a moving company is legitimate?
Check for a real, visitable business address, ask whether the crew is direct or subcontracted, and get a written estimate before you book. A company that is straightforward about all three is showing you how it operates before you've paid anything.
Ready to book your move?
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