How to find trustworthy movers

Highlights

  • Are there any reputable moving companies out there? Yes.
  • Can you find movers who you can really trust with your prized possessions? Yes.
  • Can you stay perfectly safe and protected during a move by avoiding bad movers? Yes.

Finding a trustworthy moving company is possible with the right approach.

Understanding the industry’s diversity, knowing where to search, and comparing top-rated, accredited companies can ensure a safe move.

Reputable Moving Companies: Yes, They Exist

The moving and storage industry in America is diverse, with around 7,000 moving companies operating at 13,900 locations nationwide. Despite the presence of dishonest “rogue movers,” finding a reliable company is achievable with the right strategy.

Start by focusing on licensed, insured, and BBB-accredited companies.

Request and compare moving cost estimates to identify the best option.

Following these steps ensures your move is handled by professionals you can trust.

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How to Distinguish Between Good and Bad Movers

How to find good local movers
An unmarked and non-identifiable moving truck is making its way towards your home. Is that good or bad?

Identifying good movers involves recognizing specific red flags.

Use these indicators to distinguish reliable companies from fraudulent ones and ensure a smooth moving experience.

Recognizing the difference between good and bad movers is crucial for a hassle-free move.

Here are key red flags to watch out for:

Red flag 1. Phone Answering

  • Good mover: Answers with the company’s name.
  • Bad mover: Answers with vague terms like “Movers” or “Moving company.”

Red flag 2. Cost estimates

  • Good mover: Offers an onsite inspection for an accurate quote.
  • Bad mover: Provides a quick estimate over the phone or email without inspection.

Red flag 3. Website Presence

  • Good mover: Has a comprehensive website with their USDOT number, registration, insurance, and local address.
  • Bad mover: Lacks a website or necessary details.

Red flag 4. Office and Warehouse

  • Good mover: Has well-maintained local offices and warehouses.
  • Bad mover: Lacks local facilities or has poorly maintained ones.

Red flag 5. Deposit Requests

  • Good mover: Requests a reasonable deposit (10-15% of the estimated cost) preferably via credit card.
  • Bad mover: Demands large cash deposits upfront.

Red flag 6. Moving day

  • Good mover: Arrives in branded company trucks.
  • Bad mover: Arrives in unmarked rental trucks.

Be vigilant about these red flags to choose a trustworthy mover and avoid scams. To be able to know which mover to trust and which mover not to trust, take a look at the rest of the red flags of moving fraud.

How to Know if a Moving Company is Reputable

How to find trustworthy movers
If somebody you trust recommends you a good mover, then just…

Finding a reputable moving company involves a series of strategic steps, from obtaining quotes to verifying credentials and reading reviews.

The best professional moving companies in the country also realize that securing more customers is critical for the success of their business so they often choose to make a sound investment in getting more high-quality leads from a top moving leads provider.

The more satisfied clients a local mover or a cross-country mover has left behind thanks to their professional attitude and high-quality service, the easier it will be for you to find that mover. But how?

In the majority of cases, it comes down to the power of moving reviews, occasionally backed up by recommendations from people you can actually trust.

Follow these steps for a smooth move.

  1. Online Reviews:
    • MyMovingReviews: Start here to read genuine customer reviews. Use the 5-star rating system to gauge overall satisfaction and examine detailed reviews for specific insights.
  2. Better Business Bureau (BBB):
    • Check Ratings and Complaints: BBB offers customer reviews and ratings, along with any filed complaints, helping you make informed decisions.
  3. Recommendations:
    • Ask Trusted People: Seek advice from friends and co-workers who have recently moved. Personal experiences can provide reliable insights into a company’s trustworthiness.

By following these steps, you can find a reputable moving company and avoid potential issues during your move.

How to Get Recommendations for Movers

How to Find a Reputable Moving Company in 10 Easy Steps

How to find a good interstate mover
Good (looking) movers with good reputations do exist. You just have to find them.

Finding a reputable moving company involves a series of strategic steps, from obtaining quotes to verifying credentials and reading reviews.

Follow these steps for a smooth move.

  • Step 1. Get Moving Quotes. Fill out a quick form to receive free estimates from multiple movers.
  • Step 2. Negotiate Terms. Engage with movers for on-site inspections to get accurate quotes.
  • Step 3. Compare Costs. Review detailed estimates and select the best balance of price and conditions.
  • Step 4. Assess Additional Services. Evaluate needs for packing, special item handling, or storage.
  • Step 5. Verify Licensing. Ensure interstate movers are licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
  • Step 6. Check BBB Ratings. Look for BBB accreditation and review ratings and complaints.
  • Step 7. Read Customer Reviews: Access online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction and reliability.
  • Step 8. Use Comparison Tools. Utilize tools like Movers Comparison Chart for a thorough analysis.
  • Step 9. Trust Your Intuition. Consider your overall impression and gut feeling about each mover.
  • Step 10. Make Your Choice. Select the mover that best meets your needs and criteria.

By following these steps, you can confidently choose a reputable moving company to handle your relocation.

7 Reasons to Hire Movers: Why Hire a Moving Company?

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16 Comments

  1. Hi.

    I am trying to find a mover from Montreal to Vancouver who will actually come to my place to give me a real estimate. It seems impossible since all mover for this kind of trajectory are outside Quebec.
    I feel a little stuck here.
    Any advice ?

  2. Hi I’m caro! I’m I’m looking to move from Virginia to Melbourne Florida I have called some moving companies but they did not seem very trustworthy can you give me advice in helping me not get ruled off?

  3. I like your advice to find a moving service that is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association so that you know that they are a pro. My husband and I are switching to a bigger house that will fit our growing family better and we are wondering how to find a great company to help us. Since we only want the best service, we will definitely be finding a company that is a member of the AMSA.

  4. These are some great tips for finding a moving company. I like how you said to look and see if they’re members of the American Moving and Storage Organization. We are moving soon, so I’ll make sure to check that.

  5. You’ve got some great advice for hiring a moving service. We’re planning a move in just a few short months, so this is helpful. I want professional to help to move things like our fridge and our couches. I’ll be sure to find someone who will come and inspect our house for an estimate, like you said.

  6. It’s great to know more about hiring a moving service. I love how you said that it’s good to look at BBB reviews and see if the company is trustworthy. We’d love to hire someone to help us move this summer since we have a ton of stuff.

  7. Thanks for these tips on how to find a good moving service. I agree that you want tot check their reputation first. My husband and I are looking for a moving service, so we’ll have to check their reputation first.

  8. These are great tips on how to find a good moving service. I agree that you want to check if they are members of a professional organization first. My husband and I are looking for someone to help us move closer to my mom, so we’ll have to check their qualifications.

  9. Thanks for mentioning that good movers will agree to visit our home to provide an estimate. My husband and I will be moving soon. Your article helped me feel prepared to find the right residential moving company to hire!

  10. Thank you for your tip to make sure that the moving company you are choosing is BBB accredited. My brother is planning on moving to another house down the street from his current one. I’ll pass this tip onto my brother so he can find a reputable moving company.

  11. I think that it is helpful that you mentioned that a good moving company will offer a cost quote only after they come to inspect our home. We need to find one who will be good, so I appreciate that you mentioned it. My wife and I have been talking about finding a moving company for once we pack all of the boxes in our home, and our new home is ready to move into. It will be important for us to know that we could find the right one to help us. When we do look for a moving company, I will be sure to ask for a cost quote after they check our home.

  12. Thank you for taking the time to write this article on selecting the right moving company. I appreciate that you discuss having a mover evaluate the home first before proceeding. Thank you for taking the time to do write this!

  13. I find it helpful to know that a good moving company would visit my home to do an onsite inspection of my household items to give an accurate quote for their service. My husband and I plan to move to a new city this year. We plan to hire a moving company to help us move all our stuff, so thanks for the tips!

  14. Thank you for helping me to understand how I can spot good and bad moving companies. My wife and I are moving to a new home next week. We want to find a moving company that will be able to take all of our stress away.

  15. I like your suggestion to ask for an on-site inspection when choosing a moving company to work with. My brother is looking for a piano moving company to work with since he recently inherited a grand piano from our uncle. Using your advice should help the process of working with movers go as smoothly as it can for him!

  16. Due to the fact that moving to the other side of town will put her closer to her job, I decided to look into services that can help my sister. I appreciate the advice to investigate online reviews of moving companies to see what past customers have to say about their reliability. Since my sister is unable to move all of her furniture, I’ll make sure to keep this in mind while selecting a moving company for her.

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