Most people hire a moving company the same way they hire a plumber: call a few, pick whoever sounds reasonable, and hope for the best. For a $500 repair, that approach is fine. For an interstate move where everything you own is going into someone’s truck for days, it isn’t. The right questions, asked before you sign anything, separate the reputable movers from the ones that show up late, damage your furniture, and then argue about the claim.
Here are the seven questions that matter most — and why each answer tells you something real.
Question 1 — “What Is Your USDOT Number?”
This should be the first question, asked before anything else. Every interstate moving company is required by federal law to have a USDOT number and be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The number lets you look up the company’s registration status, insurance, safety rating, and complaint history at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov in about two minutes.
What the answer tells you: A company that hesitates, gives you a vague answer, or provides a number that doesn’t appear in the FMCSA database is operating illegally. End the conversation.
A legitimate mover will give you their USDOT number without hesitation and ideally has it displayed on their website and trucks.
Question 2 — “Will You Do an In-Home or Virtual Survey Before Giving Me an Estimate?”
A legitimate estimate requires actually seeing what you’re moving. An in-home estimate (surveyor visits your home) or virtual estimate (you do a video walkthrough with the estimator) is how reputable movers price jobs accurately.
A mover who gives you an estimate based on a five-minute phone call — asking how many bedrooms, whether you have any “big items” — is either setting you up for a price escalation later or is simply not a serious operation.
What the answer tells you: If they refuse to do an in-home or virtual estimate, the quote they give you is meaningless. Under FMCSA regulations, for shipments over 500 lbs, movers are actually required to provide a written estimate based on a physical or virtual survey if you request one.
Question 3 — “Is This a Binding, Non-Binding, or Not-To-Exceed Estimate?”
These three terms describe your legal relationship with the price:
- Binding estimate: The price you pay is the price quoted, regardless of actual weight. The mover absorbs any difference.
- Non-binding estimate: The final price is based on actual shipment weight and can differ from the estimate. Federal law limits what they can require you to pay before releasing your goods to 110% of the non-binding estimate.
- Not-to-exceed estimate: The price is capped at the estimate amount, but if actual weight is less, you pay less. The best option for the consumer.
What the answer tells you: A mover who can’t or won’t explain which type of estimate they’re providing is a red flag. For interstate moves, you should be able to get at least a non-binding written estimate and ideally a not-to-exceed or binding estimate.
Question 4 — “Are You a Carrier or a Broker?”
This question surprises many people, but it’s essential. A moving carrier physically owns trucks and employs movers. A moving broker is a middleman who sells your move to a carrier for a commission.
Brokers are legal and regulated, but they introduce a layer of indirection that can cause problems: the carrier who shows up on moving day may be completely different from the company you negotiated with, and may operate very differently.
What the answer tells you: If they’re a broker, ask for the name and USDOT number of the specific carrier who will handle your move. Verify that carrier’s credentials separately. If they can’t or won’t tell you who the carrier is, that’s a serious problem.
Question 5 — “What Is Your Full-Value Protection Option and What Does It Cost?”
Every interstate mover must offer two valuation options: released-value protection (the default, at $0.60/lb — essentially no real coverage) and full-value protection (reimburses repair or replacement at current market value).
For a significant interstate move, full-value protection is the only option that makes financial sense. The cost varies — typically $200–$1,000+ depending on declared value — but a reputable mover will explain the option clearly and give you written terms.
What the answer tells you: A mover who can’t clearly explain their valuation options, or who discourages you from taking full-value protection, is a company that doesn’t expect claims to go smoothly. Movers who handle claims well are transparent about the process upfront.
Question 6 — “What Is Your Claims Process If Something Is Damaged?”
Ask this before anything is damaged. You want to understand: How do you file a claim? What’s the timeline? Who handles the adjudication? What documentation do you need?
Reputable movers have clear, documented claims processes and will explain them straightforwardly. Less reputable operators will give vague or dismissive answers — or will tell you that damages “almost never happen” without addressing the process if they do.
What the answer tells you: A mover who gets defensive about this question is a mover who handles claims poorly. You can also look at their reviews specifically for how they responded when something went wrong, not just the positive reviews.
Question 7 — “What Are All the Potential Additional Charges Not Included in This Estimate?”
Most legitimate moving estimates include the base transportation cost but may not include: stair carries (above the first floor), long carries (if the truck can’t park within a certain distance), elevators, packing materials if you use theirs, shuttle service (if a large truck can’t access your destination), storage in transit, and fuel surcharges.
Understanding what’s not included is as important as understanding what is.
What the answer tells you: A mover who proactively walks you through potential additional charges is being honest. A mover who says “the estimate is all-inclusive” without addressing these items may be giving you a low quote intentionally — planning to add those charges on delivery day.
Bonus: Verify Before You Sign
After asking these questions, do one final check before signing:
- Look up the USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov — verify active registration and insurance
- Check the FMCSA complaint database at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov — patterns of complaints reveal patterns of behavior
- Check BBB and Google reviews — read the negative ones and look specifically at how the company responded
- Confirm the company name on the contract matches the one you researched — some fraudulent operations have very similar names to legitimate companies
Frequently Asked Questions About Vetting Moving Companies
Q: How many moving companies should I get quotes from?
A: At minimum three. Getting three estimates lets you identify outliers — quotes that are significantly higher or lower than the cluster of two or three similar quotes. An outlier low quote is typically a red flag; an outlier high quote may mean the estimator assessed your volume differently. Three quotes give you context.
Q: Is it okay to hire a moving broker?
A: Yes, brokers are legal and regulated by the FMCSA. The key is to get the name and USDOT of the actual carrier, verify their credentials separately, and make sure your contract specifies the carrier who will handle your move.
Q: What should be in the moving contract?
A: The Bill of Lading (the legal contract for the move) must include: pickup and delivery dates, the agreed price (or the basis for final pricing), the company’s liability terms, and any special services included. Never let a mover load your goods without a signed copy of the Bill of Lading in your hands.
Q: Can a mover legally hold my belongings if I refuse to pay more than the estimate?
A: Under federal law, for a binding estimate, no — they must honor the agreed price. For a non-binding estimate, they can charge for actual weight but can only require you to pay up to 110% of the estimate before releasing your goods. Any demand above that before delivery is a federal violation. Report it to the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
Q: How do I know if a moving company is reliable?
A: Check their USDOT registration (must be active and insured), verify their physical address, read reviews specifically for how they handle problems (not just the positive ones), and ask the seven questions in this guide. A company that answers all seven questions clearly and confidently is demonstrating professional operation.
The Bottom Line
The right questions, asked before you sign, take about 30 minutes across three movers and dramatically reduce the risk of a bad experience. You’re not looking for perfect answers — you’re looking for clear, confident, honest ones. A mover who gets evasive about their USDOT number, their estimate type, or their claims process is telling you something important before your belongings are ever on their truck.
Ready to get quotes from verified movers? Use our comparison tool to get estimates from FMCSA-registered interstate moving companies with real customer reviews.
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