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Below are tips on finding and hiring reputable moving companies from the United
States Department of Transportation. You may also want to check with your local
Better Business Bureau when researching moving companies.
• Movers must give written estimates.
• Movers may give binding estimates.
• Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed
the estimate.
• If your mover provides you (or someone representing you) with any partially
complete document for your signature, you should verify the document is as complete
as possible before signing it. Make sure the document contains all relevant
shipping information, except the actual shipment weight and any other information
necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
• You may request from your mover the availability of guaranteed pickup
and delivery dates.
• Be sure you understand the mover's responsibility for loss or damage,
and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
• You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.
• You may request a reweigh of your shipment.
• If you agree to move under a non-binding estimate, you should confirm
with your mover - in writing - the method of payment at delivery as cash, certified
check, cashier's check, money order, or credit card.
• Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means
of settling loss or damage claims. ASK YOUR MOVER FOR DETAILS.
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• You should ask the person you speak to whether he or she works for the
actual mover or a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges
for the transportation. A household goods broker must not represent itself as
a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks of its own. The broker
is required to find an authorized mover to provide the transportation. You should
know that a household goods broker generally has no authority to provide you
an estimate on behalf of a specific mover. If a household goods broker provides
you an estimate, it may not be binding on the actual mover and you may have
to pay the actual charges the mover incurs. A household goods broker is not
responsible for loss or damage.
• You may request complaint information about movers from the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration under the Freedom of Information Act. You
may be assessed a fee to obtain this information. See 49 CFR Part 7 for the
schedule of fees.
• You should seek estimates from at least three different movers. You
should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors,
as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.
US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm
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