Step 1: Decide What Type of Move You Need
Before comparing companies, clarify exactly what service you need. This prevents you from getting quotes that don’t match your actual move.
Key questions:
- Is this a local (<50 miles), intrastate (within FL, 50+ miles), or interstate move?
- Do you need full-service (packing + moving) or just transportation?
- Do you have specialty items: piano, safe, pool table, fine art?
- Do you need storage before or after delivery?
- What’s your timeline — flexible or hard deadline?
Your answers determine which type of company to contact. A mover specializing in local Tampa moves is not the right fit for a Miami-to-Chicago relocation.
Step 2: Verify the License — This Step Is Non-Negotiable
In 2024, the FMCSA received over 5,700 complaints nationally about fraudulent movers — the majority involving unlicensed operators. Florida ranks among the top states for moving fraud due to high relocation volume.
For interstate moves (crossing state lines):
Every carrier must be registered with the FMCSA and have an active USDOT number.
- Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- Search by company name or USDOT number
- Confirm status shows “ACTIVE”
- Check that “Carrier Operation” is listed (not just broker)
- Verify insurance is on file and not expired
For Florida intrastate moves:
Intrastate movers are regulated by FDACS, not FMCSA.
- Go to fdacs.gov/movers
- Search by company name
- Confirm active mover license
- Check for any complaints on record
Any mover who can’t provide a verifiable license number should be removed from consideration immediately.
Step 3: Get At Least 3 Written Estimates
Getting one quote tells you a price. Getting three tells you if that price is reasonable.
What to request:
- An in-home or video survey (not phone estimates — they’re consistently inaccurate)
- A written estimate — verbal quotes are unenforceable
- Binding or not-to-exceed pricing (explained below)
- Itemized breakdown of all fees
What a proper estimate includes:
| Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Inventory list | Confirms the mover actually looked at your stuff |
| Estimated weight | The basis for all price calculations |
| Rate per pound/mile | Lets you compare apples to apples |
| Fuel surcharge | Some movers hide this until moving day |
| Accessorial fees | Stairs, long carry, hoisting, disassembly |
| Packing costs | Labor + materials — get itemized separately |
| Valuation/insurance | What coverage you’re getting |
| Delivery window | Critical for interstate — often 1–2 week windows |
If a company sends a quote without an inventory list, that’s a non-binding phone estimate — not useful for comparison.
Step 4: Understand Estimate Types
The estimate type determines your legal protection if the price changes.
Non-binding estimate: The mover gives you a price based on an inventory, but the final cost is determined by actual weight after loading. Interstate movers cannot charge more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods. However, you’ll still owe the full overrun amount within 30 days.
Binding estimate: The price is locked regardless of actual weight. The mover cannot legally charge more, even if they underestimated. Some movers charge a small fee ($50–$150) for this service.
Not-to-exceed (also called “guaranteed not-to-exceed”): Best consumer option. You pay the binding price or the actual weight-based cost, whichever is lower. Always request this option in writing.
Always read the estimate completely before signing. Signature on a document that says “non-binding” means you’ve accepted that pricing structure.
Step 5: Check Reviews — the Right Way
Reviews matter, but the source matters more.
High-signal review sources:
- Google Maps — hard to fake at scale, look for 50+ reviews
- BBB (Better Business Bureau) — check their rating AND complaint history, not just the letter grade
- FMCSA complaint database — at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov under the company’s profile
Lower-signal sources:
- Moving company’s own website testimonials
- Sites where movers pay for placement
- Review aggregators that take affiliate commissions
What to look for:
- Consistent complaints about final price being higher than the estimate
- Mentions of items damaged without proper claims resolution
- Delivery windows being missed by weeks, not days
- Crew showing up short-staffed
A company with 4.2 stars and 200 reviews is more trustworthy than one with 4.8 stars and 12 reviews.
Step 6: Confirm Insurance and Valuation
There is a crucial difference between released value protection (what movers are required to provide free) and full value protection (what actually covers your stuff).
Released value protection (federal minimum):
- Free — required by law for all interstate moves
- Coverage: $0.60 per pound per item
- A 40-pound TV worth $1,200 gets you $24 in the event of total loss
- This is essentially no protection
Full value protection:
- Costs 1–2% of your declared shipment value
- Mover must repair, replace, or pay market value for damaged items
- The only coverage worth having for valuable items
Third-party insurance: If your mover’s full value protection is expensive or has low coverage limits, companies like Baker International or Relocation Insurance Group offer standalone policies for $150–$400 that cover $50,000–$100,000 in declared value.
Check whether your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers items in transit — some policies do, with a rider.
Step 7: Review the Contract Before Signing
The Bill of Lading is the binding legal contract for your move. Read it fully before the movers start loading.
Confirm before signing:
- ✓ Company name, USDOT number, and phone on the document
- ✓ Origin and destination addresses are correct
- ✓ Estimate type (binding/non-binding) matches what you agreed to
- ✓ Delivery window is specified (not just “TBD”)
- ✓ Valuation option is listed
- ✓ No unexpected fees were added
- ✓ Deposit amount and payment method match what was discussed
Never sign a blank Bill of Lading. Some fraudulent movers fill in higher amounts after loading and before delivery, holding your goods hostage until you pay.
Questions to Ask Every Moving Company
Use this checklist when interviewing movers:
- What is your USDOT or FDACS license number?
- Do you own your trucks, or do you broker moves?
- Will the same crew that loads handle delivery?
- What is your delivery window for this route?
- How do you handle damaged items — what’s the claims process?
- Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed?
- What fees are NOT included in this estimate?
- What happens if my items go into storage — what are the costs?
- Who do I call on moving day if there’s a problem?
- Can I get the contract emailed before moving day?
A mover who hesitates or gives vague answers to these questions is telling you something important.
Red Flags: When to Walk Away
These patterns consistently appear in FMCSA complaint data and Florida fraud reports:
- No physical address on the website or estimate
- Name changes — search the address to find prior business names
- Cash-only deposit of more than 25%
- No written estimate — insists on “we’ll weigh at pickup”
- Blank spaces on the Bill of Lading
- Suspiciously low quote — 40%+ below other estimates
- Out-of-state truck shows up instead of the company’s own vehicles (unannounced brokering)
- Demands payment in full before unloading
If any of these appear on moving day, document everything with photos and contact the FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238 or file at fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move.