1. Get Referrals

   Obtain free moving quotes first. Next, find out if friends, relatives, and coworkers have any recommendations for a moving firm. Ask the real estate agent you are dealing with for a recommendation.

   
   

2. Follow the Rule of Threes

   Never accept the first estimate you are given. Rather, request in-person estimates from at least three separate businesses, as no company can truly provide you with an accurate estimate without viewing your belongings.

   
   

3. Watch Out for Red Flags

   During the estimation, keep an eye out for any warning signs. For instance, before you relocate, the majority of respectable moving companies will not require a cash deposit. It may not be a real service if the mover appears desperate to receive the money up front. Observe the movers' level of professionalism and lack thereof during the estimate. Choose a different business if they appear unreliable, lack confidence in their skills, or are unable to respond to your inquiries. Also, be cautious of movers that arrive in the moving van that you rented. A well-run business will have its own tools.

   
   

4. Make Sure the Mover Is Licensed and Insured

   Licensed interstate movers are assigned a U.S. DOT number by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. If you are moving out of state, use the FMCSA's protectyourmove.gov website to confirm the moving business's license. You may also ask for the company's U.S. DOT number, which will come in handy should you need to submit a claim against the moving company in the future. See your local consumer affairs office if you plan to remain in the state. The FMCSA's contacts database includes a list of regional organizations.

   
   

5. Check With the Better Business Bureau

   You can use the Better Business Bureau to look up the moving company's history online for free. Choose moving firms that have a good reputation or are accredited by the BBB. Look for a moving company that is listed with the Better Business Bureau if the current one isn't.

   
   

6. Ask About Professional Accreditation

   Trade groups inspect businesses prior to granting them approval or a membership seal. Seek out a moving firm that has the ProMover emblem from the American Moving and Storage Association. Additionally, you can use the Moving.org website of the American Moving and Storage Association to conduct a direct search for approved businesses.

   
   

7. Verify the Address

   Get a business card from the mover, visit their website, and then use the phone book or internet to find the specified address. Verify that the moving company's address is registered and listed under the names of the companies. Any address with a residential name provided should raise suspicions.

   
   

Tips for choosing a reputable and reliable moving company

Naturally, you want to ensure a seamless move by working with top-notch movers. It ought to be a little simpler with these pointers.

Vet the mover

Verify the mover's insurance and registration status. FMCSA mandates that interstate movers have a USDOT number. Regulations differ for migrations within the state. You can inquire with your state attorney general or the consumer affairs office in your state, county, or municipality. You can also get in touch with consumer protection organizations like the Better Business Bureau, or you can use the FMCSA search tool database. Associations like the American Moving and Storage Association can also provide you with a list of trustworthy movers.

Request suggestions from your loved ones. Examine the references provided by the moving firm. Inform them that you would like a list of three local customers who have migrated in the last three months. Make a call to those clients and inquire directly about their experiences.

Obtain many quotations and peruse the pamphlet titled "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." The information in this booklet will also be helpful if any of your belongings are misplaced or harmed during the transfer. Inquire with the mover as well (more on that below).

Take a thorough moving inventory

A trustworthy moving company will conduct a virtual survey or an in-person inventory of everything you own. This entails going through each room and all of your storage spaces, including bookcases, garages, drawers, and cupboards. The inventory should also include any objects that you are removing from any exterior areas. This is due to the fact that the moving company's estimate is mostly dependent on the weight and volume of your belongings in the truck. If you do not intend to bring any of the items with you to your new residence, make sure the estimator knows. Accurately estimating the cost is crucial.

Get a written estimate

Obtain many quotes from various moving firms and evaluate them. As we noted above, the estimate needs to be predicated on a real, in-person inspection of your household belongings. Obtaining at least three quotations from several moving firms is something we advise.