10 Questions to Ask Movers Before You Book

Why the questions you ask a moving company matter

Most people hire a mover only a few times in their lives, so they compare on price alone. Price matters, but two quotes are only comparable when the companies behind them are. The questions below take about fifteen minutes on the phone or during an in-home estimate, and the answers tell you nearly everything about how the move will go.

If you are still working out how to choose a mover, start by calling at least three companies and asking each of them the same ten questions. Write the answers down. A professional answers all of them without hesitation. Evasive or irritated answers are information too.

Questions about licensing and insurance

1. What are your license numbers?

Movers that cross state lines must be registered with federal transportation regulators and are identified by a USDOT number, and usually an MC number as well. Movers that work only within one state follow that state's licensing rules, which vary. A legitimate company gives you its numbers immediately and prints them on its estimates and trucks. Allpoints Moving Services operates under USDOT 875772 and MC-552298.

2. Can you send me proof of insurance?

Licensed and insured movers can provide a certificate of insurance on request. Many apartment and office buildings require one before they will let a crew use the elevator, so ask your building manager what they need and pass it along early.

Questions about who will handle your move

3. Will your company perform the move, or do you arrange it with someone else?

Some businesses that sell moves do not own trucks. They book the job and hand it to another company. That is legal, but you should know before you sign who is responsible for your belongings, whose crew will show up, and whose name will be on the paperwork.

4. How long have you been in business, and can you give me references?

Years in business are not a guarantee, but a company with a long local history has a reputation to protect. Ask for recent customers you can contact, and ask people you trust who they have used.

Questions about the estimate and the price

5. Will I get a written moving estimate, and is it binding?

Never book on a verbal quote. Ask for a written moving estimate based on a real inventory of your home, and ask which kind it is. A binding estimate is a guaranteed price for the items and services listed. A non-binding estimate can change with the actual weight. We explain both in binding vs. non-binding estimates.

6. What is not included in this price?

Ask the mover to walk you through every charge that could be added: packing materials, stairs, long carries, bulky items, fuel, storage, and waiting time. If a charge is possible, it should be named on the estimate with its rate.

7. What deposit do you require, and how do I pay the balance?

Policies differ, so ask what the moving company deposit is, whether it is refundable, and what the cancellation terms are. Be cautious of any mover that demands a large payment up front or accepts only cash. Find out which forms of payment are accepted at delivery so there is no surprise at the door.

Questions about protecting your belongings

8. What valuation coverage is included, and what are my options?

Valuation is the mover's liability for your goods, and it is not the same as insurance. The basic level included with a move pays by weight, not by what an item is worth, so a light and expensive item is covered for very little. Ask what upgraded protection costs. Our guide to moving insurance and valuation explains the levels.

9. How do I file a claim if something is damaged?

Ask who handles claims, how to file one, and how long the process takes. A mover with a clear, written claims process expects to stand behind its work.

Questions about timing and delivery

10. What are my pickup and delivery dates?

For a local move, ask for the arrival window and how many crew members are coming. For a long-distance move, ask for the pickup date and the delivery window in writing, and ask how you will be kept informed while the truck is on the road. If your dates are firm because of a closing or a lease, say so before the estimate is written.

How to judge the answers

You are listening for three things.

• Directness. License numbers, insurance, and estimate type are simple facts. A professional states them plainly
• Paper. Every promise about price, dates, and coverage should end up in writing. If the mover will not put it on the estimate, do not count on it
• Consistency. The company name on the phone, the estimate, the truck, and the contract should match

Be wary of a price far below the others, pressure to book today, or a request to sign blank or incomplete forms. Any one of those is a reason to keep calling.

How Allpoints answers these questions

We would rather you ask. Allpoints Moving Services is family-owned and operated, based in Metro Atlanta, and has been in business since 1999. We are licensed and insured, and we work as a contract carrier for one of the biggest van line moving companies in the country, which is how we move customers nationwide at an affordable price.

Local moves are typically billed hourly based on crew size and truck needs. Long-distance moves are quoted as a flat rate based on distance, inventory, and added services. Quotes are free and carry no obligation. Bring your list, call (678) 886-0944, or request a quote. More answers are on our moving FAQs page.