Moving questions, answered

It depends on distance, shipment weight, season, and the services you add. Local moves are usually billed by the hour, while long-distance moves are priced by weight and mileage. Get at least three written estimates, and use an off-peak, mid-month date to lower the price.

A binding estimate guarantees the total price for the listed services. A non-binding estimate is only an approximation — your final bill is based on actual weight and services, though a mover cannot require more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery. A binding not-to-exceed estimate is the most consumer-friendly: you pay the actual cost if lower, but never more than the estimate.

Tipping is optional but customary for good service — many people tip a few dollars per hour per mover, or roughly 5–10% of the total split among the crew. Tip more for stairs, heavy items, or exceptional care.

Common extras include long-carry charges (when the truck cannot park close), flight/stair charges, shuttle service, bulky-article fees (pianos, safes), and packing materials. Ask for every accessorial charge to be itemized on your estimate.

Fall through early spring, mid-month, and mid-week are cheapest. Summer (mid-May to early September) and month-ends are peak season, when demand and prices are highest.

Look up the company's USDOT number on the FMCSA's SAFER system and confirm the authority status is active. Interstate household-goods movers should also have an active MC number. Check the complaint history before booking.

A carrier owns trucks and physically transports your goods and is legally responsible for them. A broker only arranges the move and hands it to a carrier. Brokers are legal but must disclose their status — always confirm which one you are hiring and, for a broker, who the actual carrier will be.

Book four to six weeks ahead for a long-distance move, and even earlier for a summer or month-end date. For local moves, two to four weeks is usually enough.

Get at least three written estimates after an in-home or video survey. Comparing three quotes also makes an unrealistically low (bait) price obvious.

A reliable mover surveys your belongings in person or over video before quoting, because an accurate price depends on what you actually own. Be wary of a firm price given sight-unseen — it is a common setup for a later price hike.

The Bill of Lading is the legal contract between you and your mover and the receipt for your goods. It lists the services, terms, and charges. Never sign a blank Bill of Lading, and keep your copy until delivery and any claims are resolved.

Valuation defines how much your mover will pay if goods are lost or damaged. Released Value Protection is free but covers only 60 cents per pound per item; Full Value Protection costs extra but requires the mover to repair, replace, or pay the item's value. Valuation is not the same as separate moving insurance.

For an interstate move you generally have nine months from delivery to file a written claim. The carrier must acknowledge it within 30 days and resolve it within 120 days. Note any loss or damage on the delivery paperwork before you sign.

On a non-binding interstate move, the carrier must release your shipment at delivery if you pay no more than 110% of the non-binding estimate. Any remaining balance is billed separately afterward.

No. Refusing to deliver your goods unless you pay charges above the agreed price ("hostage load") is illegal. Pay the 110% you legally owe on a non-binding move, demand delivery, and file a complaint with the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database.

Movers cannot carry hazardous materials such as gasoline, propane, paints, aerosols, ammunition, and other flammables or corrosives. Many also will not take plants, perishable food, or irreplaceable valuables — keep those with you.

Packing yourself (marked PBO, "packed by owner") saves money, but the mover's liability for damage inside boxes you packed is limited. Carrier-packed (CP) cartons are covered more fully. Many people pack non-fragile items and let movers handle breakables.

Start with rarely used rooms and out-of-season items four to six weeks out, and pack daily essentials last. Label every box by room and keep a numbered inventory so you can spot anything missing at delivery.

Interstate carriers deliver within an agreed range of dates (the delivery window or spread dates) rather than a single guaranteed day, because trucks consolidate multiple shipments. Get the window in writing on your Order for Service and Bill of Lading.

Pianos, safes, and hot tubs usually carry a bulky-article fee and may need specialists. Cars typically move on separate auto transport, not in the moving van. Declare high-value articles so they are properly covered, and consider custom crating for art and glass.

Watch for an unusually low quote, a large up-front deposit (especially cash or wire), no in-home or video survey, no or mismatched USDOT/MC number, a blank Bill of Lading, and pressure to book immediately. Several of these together are a strong signal to choose another company.

Most reputable movers take no deposit or a small one (0–20% of the total). A demand for 30–50% up front, particularly by wire transfer or cash app, is a warning sign. Always pay by credit card for chargeback protection.

A chameleon carrier is a company that re-registers under a new name and USDOT number to escape a bad safety record, unpaid claims, or enforcement. Cross-check a mover on FMCSA SAFER and search the owners' names; favor carriers with five or more years of clean history.

File a complaint with the FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB) and your state authorities. Keep all paperwork — the estimate, Order for Service, Bill of Lading, and inventory — as evidence.

Use them carefully. Look at the distribution and timing of reviews rather than the average, read the one- and two-star reviews, and be skeptical of bursts of generic five-star reviews. Cross-check against verified-only ratings and the company's FMCSA complaint record.