Hiring Movers FAQs

Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead for moves between September and May. For summer moves (June through August), book 8 to 12 weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings within 2 weeks often cost 20-30% more and have limited crew availability.

For interstate moves, search the FMCSA database at protectyourmove.gov using the company name or USDOT number. Every legitimate interstate mover must have an active USDOT number and MC (Motor Carrier) number. For local moves, check your state's licensing board.

A carrier owns trucks and employs the crew that moves your belongings. A broker does not own trucks - they sell moves and assign them to carriers. Brokers are not inherently bad, but you have less control over which crew shows up and disputes can be harder to resolve.

Check the estimate type (binding vs non-binding), valuation coverage, pickup and delivery dates, cancellation policy, and a detailed inventory list. Never sign a blank or incomplete contract, and never pay more than 25% as a deposit.

Yes. Get quotes from at least 3 companies and use competing offers as leverage. You can negotiate the total price, packing service fees, and delivery timeline. Mid-week and off-peak moves give you the most negotiating power.

File a written claim with the moving company within 9 months of delivery for interstate moves. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge and 120 days to resolve the claim. Your payout depends on whether you chose released value or full value protection.

Pay the balance after delivery, not before. A deposit of 10-25% at booking is normal for long-distance moves. Local movers typically collect payment at the end of the job. Never pay the full amount upfront - it is a common scam tactic.

A not-to-exceed (NTE) estimate sets a maximum price you will pay, but allows the final cost to be lower if the actual weight is less than estimated. It combines the security of a binding estimate with the savings potential of a non-binding one.

A shuttle fee of $300 to $600 is charged when the main moving truck cannot access your home and a smaller vehicle must be used to ferry belongings between the truck and your door. Common in urban areas with narrow streets or rural areas with unpaved roads.

An access fee covers extra difficulty getting to your home - stairs, elevators, long walks from the truck to the door, or narrow hallways. Typical charges are $75 to $150 per obstacle. It is sometimes called an accessorial charge.