Taking care of all the details to make a move as painless as possible requires planning. It can be overwhelming when you think about all the things on your to-do list months before the actual move date and this the reason why many people decide to hire professional movers. Moving house is difficult enough but moving to another state or across the country adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Most companies are reliable and offer services to assist you to make sure the move goes smoothly and worry-free. However, not all companies are reputable and there are many movers out there that will try to scam you if you do not know what to look for to stay safe.

The numbers of people moving is dropping each year, but current statistics show that about 9% of Americans moved last year. That equates to over 10 million of the households in the U.S. and there are still over 3,000 people that are scammed every year. That is a fraction of a percent but a very real possibility.

Make sure to do your research

The internet has made finding movers easier than ever as all of the companies are basically just one click away. The search engines do not differentiate based on their reputation. Before you decide to hire the first company that popped up after you googled the term moving company near me, make sure to check and compare. Contact 5 to 6 movers. Get estimates from 3 to 4 before actually hiring one.

In this way, you will get a realistic idea of the prices that different companies offer for their services. You should also make sure to check the reviews of previous users of their services. People usually leave some sort of feedback when they are either extremely satisfied or annoyed and disappointed with a company. This will help you to choose a respectable company that will do its job professionally.

Federal Government Organization

Download the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) documents, use our guidelines to assist in your selection process, and sign-up below to get one of the 2-Step guides (we cover Long-distance or Local) to help save you time and help you with the decision.

These two government pdf files and the Glossary from FMCSA will be helpful documents.
Read them as part of your research.

1. Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move handbook
2. Protect Your Move brochure

Click here to get both of these documents

Click here to see the GLOSSARY

If you are not in the U.S. then we still recommend that you download and read the pdf files.

Independent Organizations

The trucking industry is maintaining a database of operators to enable them to self-regulate and eliminate the bad actors in the trucking, moving, and storage industries with the intent of improving their overall image and demonstrating trustworthiness in their industry.

In order to stop those companies from doing business and finding victims these groups have banded together to form the American Trucking Association (ATA) and they provide a free service that will only refer experienced, reputable transporting firms to you for a move of any distance.

If you are a United States resident and need to move in-country or out-of-country use the link at the end of this article to receive an email with our simple guide to learn how to verify any U.S. moving company plus a link to receive up to 4 quotes from pre-approved U.S. movers.

Watch for these Red Flags

Get a proper estimate

When you are calling for an estimate, notice how they answer the phone. Is the person in an office, on a cell phone, or was your call sent straight to an answering machine or voicemail? Did they answer the phone in a professional manner? Did they ask for an appointment for an on-site inspection of your items? Moving specialists need to determine the quantity of items and distance to be moved plus estimate the weight to accurately determine the right number of men for the crew and the time to allow for a proper job.

The usual business standard of reputable companies is to offer a free estimate. If someone is trying to charge you for something that should be free of charge it is a red flag.

You should keep in mind that a good estimator will note each item, estimate the number of boxes, and should ask you questions about your specific plans in order to have all the important details about the move upfront. They should be able to give you a timeline for the pickup and delivery based on the destination.

Do not pay a large deposit

Some moving companies may ask for a deposit, especially in case of a long-distance move during their busiest season of the year (between May and September). They want to book your move but also want to know that you are committed to them for the service.

The amount of the deposit is usually $200 to $500. If you find yourself dealing with a company that asks for a much higher deposit then you must walk away. They are most likely trying to rip you off and could even claim that you never paid anything. We recommend giving them a check and the company can just hold it until the cancelation date has passed for the moving date. It is easier for them to just return a check than to process a credit to a charge on a credit card. If you cancel after the specified termination date they will deposit the check. If the company refuses a check that would be another red flag.

When you give a deposit, make sure it is refundable, and that the cancellation period is clearly defined in the contract. In this way, you will know the cutoff date to get your money back in case your plans change before the actual move.

Check the documentation

Every professional moving company needs to issue a “Bill of Lading” (BOL). This is a receipt for the items the company is transporting for you. It must contain certain information.

Make sure to check for these items:

• Contact information (of the company and your personal contact information)
• Delivery date and pickup location
• Truck information and driver information
• Payment information
• Proof of insurance (only applicable if you have obtained independent, third-party moving insurance)
• Released Rates Valuation Statement (this document protects the mover and limits their liability for lost items to 60 cents per pound)
• All Attachments (an Order for Service, inventory list, and original estimate (with a stated overage percentage))

If the company has an incomplete contract, a brief contract, or no contract then speak to someone and ask questions. If you notice that they are avoiding providing all necessary documents, then you are probably dealing with a shady company. The smartest thing you can do at that point is to immediately cancel all further agreements. This may put you in a bind but you have to protect yourself.

Read the contract

After you make sure that the moving company has provided the needed documents you must read the contract thoroughly and check that each item is listed correctly. In case an item is not listed and it shows up missing, you will not be able to claim it.

You should also be able to understand the contract completely. A professional moving company will be standing at your service and help you out in case you have any questions or doubts.

Make sure that the company has experience with long-distance moving

In the U.S. the regulations and fees for “Interstate Movers” (out-of-state) are more costly than for “Intrastate Movers” (in-state). They do not normally mix it up but a few of the interstate movers will do both types of moves. They will have box trucks for in-state moves and semi-trucks for out-of-state moves. A company with an in-state license cannot move you out of state. If they say they will do it then stop talking with them and do not proceed any further because they are not licensed.

A long-distance move requires a level of expertise that you will want your moving company to have. Get familiar with their background and experience so you can be sure that you are not one of their first long-distance move customers. Sign-up below to get our “2-Steps to Verify” instruction page that will help you find experienced moving companies with more than one year of service.

Now you are ready for the next phase with confidence!

By following these tips, you should find a company that will help you out with your long-distance move without causing you a lot of headaches in the process. Moving is the third most stressful thing in your life, so you do not want to make it even harder by dealing with an unscrupulous company who will turn the whole thing into your worst nightmare. Another important thing that should be mentioned is to trust yourself. “Gut instinct” is a real thing, so if you feel in your gut that something just is not quite right, do not ignore the feeling.

Just make sure to thoroughly check the companies before calling, read all the materials mentioned in this article, trust your gut, and you will soon be able to find a reputable moving company for your move. Your new title is “Moving Manager” and one of your tasks will be to maintain good records. After you have submitted your email below you will receive an email with the link to download the “2 Steps to Verify a Mover” instructions. In the future will receive emails with options to get our checklists and other helpful bonuses that every Moving Manager needs.

You will feel like a professional manager. We are wishing you all the best!

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