How to Find the Best Moving Company for You

What to Know Before You Start Your Search

Before comparing companies, it's helpful to understand the main types of movers and what they offer. This provides a clearer understanding of what you need, making it easier to select the right moving company.

Movers generally fall into a few categories:

• Local movers handle short-distance moves within the same city or region
• Long-distance movers cover larger geographic areas and may handle an interstate move across state lines
• International moves involve more logistics, paperwork, and shipping steps
• Specialized movers manage items like antiques, appliance transport, or office relocation
• Full-service companies offer packing, disassembly, loading, storage services, and unpacking

You’ll also come across brokers in the moving industry. A mover handles your belongings directly, while a broker arranges the move and may hand it off to another provider. This can influence pricing, scheduling, and the reliability of the shipment, so it’s essential to confirm who will be present on moving day.

It also helps to think about the level of support you want. Some households prefer comprehensive services with custom crates, while others only need transportation. Complex spaces—such as homes with tight hallways, multiple flights of stairs, or furniture items that require special handling—might require a mover with more experience.

Taking a moment to understand your move type, your service needs, and the general options available puts you in a stronger position to choose a reliable moving company.

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company

Finding a reliable moving company begins with verifying their credentials, reputation, and the quality of the services they offer. These steps help you narrow your options and avoid problems during the moving process.

Verify licensing, safety, and compliance

Every interstate mover must have a valid USDOT number and active registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This lets you confirm safety records, insurance, and complaint history. Some states, including New York State and several areas across the country, require additional licenses.

A few details are worth checking right away:

• Active USDOT number
• Proof of insurance
• Clear company name and physical address
• Transparent explanation of valuation coverage
• Years of experience with household goods and logistics

Experienced movers handle challenges like narrow hallways, limited parking, or flights of stairs more smoothly. Ensure the company is transparent about how they protect your belongings.

Check reputation and real customer feedback

Customer reviews provide insight into how a mover communicates, handles pricing, and responds to issues that arise. Look for consistent positive reviews that mention care with furniture items, punctual arrivals, and professional behavior.

A quick reputation check can include:

• BBB rating and complaint history
• Google and Yelp customer reviews
• Patterns showing delays, damaged shipments, or unclear pricing
• How the company responds to complaints

If the same concern appears repeatedly, it’s often a sign to move on.

Compare services and areas of specialization

Not every mover provides the same level of service. Some offer comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, storage, and custom crates. Others focus on basic transportation only.

Consider whether the mover handles:

• Fragile or antique pieces
• Office relocation
• Long-distance or international moving services
• Military moves
• Last-minute scheduling
• Disassembly or special handling for furniture items

Companies in large metro areas, including movers in NYC like NYC Great Movers or Dumbo Moving, often highlight their ability to handle tight spaces and city challenges. The broader point is the same anywhere: choose a mover whose strengths match your home layout and your move’s complexity.

How to Compare Moving Quotes

Comparing moving quotes helps you understand the price of your move and the level of service each company provides. A clear estimate gives you a realistic idea of what to expect and helps you avoid unexpected changes on moving day.

Understand the types of estimates

Moving companies usually offer three types of estimates. Knowing the difference protects your budget and helps you understand how pricing works.

• Non-binding estimate: A general prediction based on the mover’s initial assessment. The final price may vary depending on the shipment weight and services selected
• Binding estimate: A fixed total. You pay the listed amount, provided the services and inventory remain the same
• Binding not-to-exceed estimate: Often the best option. You won’t pay more than the quoted amount, even if the shipment ends up heavier than expected

These estimate types follow guidelines set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Know what affects the cost

The cost of a move depends on several verified factors, especially for long-distance and interstate moves. The main elements include:

• Distance of the move
• Weight of your shipment
• Size of the home and access challenges
• Time of year and demand
• Extra services like packing, disassembly, storage, or special handling

These factors influence the average cost of a move, and many companies reference the national average when explaining their pricing model. If you’re comparing several movers, ask each one to break down the cost so you can see where the differences come from.

Choose the right type of survey

A reliable moving company will offer either an in-home or virtual survey. Both allow the mover to see your layout, furniture, and any challenges that may affect the size of the truck or the overall cost.

• In-home surveys give the most accurate results
• Virtual surveys use video tools and are common when schedules are tight
• Phone-only estimates should be avoided because they rarely reflect the actual work required

A comprehensive survey ensures the mover understands everything they need to handle, from fragile items to larger furniture pieces, so the estimate is clear and realistic.

Red Flags & Moving Scams to Avoid

Knowing the warning signs of a bad mover helps you protect your belongings and avoid major headaches during your relocation. Scam patterns are well-documented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and many of them emerge during the early stages of communication.

A few red flags to watch for include:

• No USDOT number or missing license information: Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA
• Large upfront deposits: Most reputable movers ask for minimal or no deposits before moving day
• Vague or incomplete estimates: A clear quote should outline services, pricing, and any potential extra fees
• No physical address or a company that keeps changing names: This is common among operators trying to avoid customer complaints
• Unmarked moving truck: Reliable movers use labeled trucks and share company details openly
• Cash-only payments: This removes your ability to dispute charges later if something goes wrong
• Last-minute price changes without a valid explanation: Sudden adjustments often signal that the mover misrepresented the original estimate

Scams can happen anywhere, from busy cities like NYC or Miami to smaller towns and rural areas. Signs such as pressured scheduling, inconsistent communication, or pushy sales tactics often indicate a mover who isn’t prepared to handle your shipment responsibly.

If anything feels off—whether it’s confusing paperwork, unclear valuation coverage, or a mover unwilling to answer simple questions—it’s safer to move on. A trustworthy company will explain their process, offer written documentation, and make sure you understand the details before you sign a moving contract.

Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers

Asking the right questions helps you understand how a mover works, what’s included in the price, and whether they can handle the specific needs of your relocation. A reputable moving company should answer these clearly and without hesitation.

A few helpful questions to ask include:

• What services are included in the estimate?
  This should list packing, unpacking, disassembly, storage services, and any special handling.
• Are there any extra fees I should expect?
  Ask about charges related to long carries, stairs, heavy furniture items, or the size of the truck required.
• What type of valuation coverage do you provide?
  This protects your belongings in case of damage during shipping.
• Do you handle specialty items?
  This includes antiques, custom crates, appliance moving, or items that require additional care.
• Will you manage the entire shipment yourselves?
  Some companies rely on subcontractors or partner carriers, especially for long distances or international moving services.
• Do you have a mobile app or tracking system?
  Some movers offer updates via email or an app, which helps you stay informed throughout the process.
• How do you handle delays or unexpected downtime?
  This matters most for office relocation or moves with tight timelines.

These questions help you confirm that the mover is prepared, experienced, and transparent. A dependable company will explain each part of the process and make sure you know what to expect on moving day.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right moving company becomes easier when you know what to look for. Checking licenses, reviewing customer feedback, comparing estimates, and asking the right questions helps you avoid problems and protect your belongings. Each step gives you a clearer picture of which mover is prepared to handle your needs and which one might cause trouble on moving day.

Once you narrow your list, take a moment to compare services, pricing, and how each company communicates. A dependable mover will explain their process, share clear documentation, and make sure you understand what to expect throughout your relocation. If you want help reviewing your options, you can browse our moving company reviews, read more in our educational articles, and use our comparison tool to see how different movers stack up. A well-informed choice leads to a smoother move, fewer surprises, and an easier transition into your new home.