Questions to ask a local mover
A good answer to these questions is specific, and so is a bad one. Every requirement below is one a state regulator publishes, so you can quote it when you ask.
Licensing and who does the move
- Washington — A moving company operating within Washington without a UTC permit is violating state law.
- North Carolina — North Carolina intrastate household-goods movers must hold a commission certificate identified by a C number.
- North Carolina — North Carolina's commission warns that a moving website may belong to a broker that arranges for another company to do the move.
- Texas — Texas requires licensed movers to show their name, TxDMV certificate number, and USDOT number on both sides of the truck.
Price and the written estimate
- Washington — Washington movers must provide a free written estimate, and verbal estimates are not allowed.
- North Carolina — North Carolina movers must give a free written estimate on request, except for requests less than five business days before the move or moves under 500 pounds.
Access, items, and extra services
- North Carolina — North Carolina lists packing, appliance work, bulky items, shuttle service, long carries, stairs or elevators in some circumstances, and hard-to-reach spaces among services that can add cost.
Liability and damage claims
- Washington — In Washington, the mover is not liable for full value unless you pay extra for that protection, and mover's liability is not insurance.
- Washington — Washington's commission says not to hire a mover that refuses to offer liability protection or discuss coverage options.
- Washington — Washington allows nine months from delivery to file a loss or damage claim.
- North Carolina — North Carolina says to file claims as soon as possible and no later than nine months after delivery.
Paperwork and payment
- Washington — In Washington, the bill of lading is the contract with the mover, and the commission says not to hire a mover that won't use one.
- North Carolina — North Carolina's commission says payment is expected at delivery, most movers accept only cash, certified check, money order, or traveler's check, and many can't process cards.
- Texas — Texas licensed movers provide a proposal and a contract before loading, along with the state's rights and responsibilities document.
Red flags
- North Carolina — North Carolina's commission tells customers not to sign blank forms.
- Texas — Texas lists unmarked or rental trucks, missing proposal or contract documents, and pressure to sign before reading as signs of an unlicensed mover.
Where these rules come from
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
- North Carolina Utilities Commission
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission consumer guide to moving
Each rule above applies inside the state named beside it. Other states regulate intrastate moves differently, so confirm the rule where you are moving before you rely on it.