How to Hire a Reliable, Qualified Moving Company
Hiring the right moving company is the single biggest factor in whether your move goes smoothly or turns into a nightmare. The industry has plenty of true professionals — and a fair number of operators looking to cut corners or overcharge. This step-by-step guide walks you through how to vet, compare, and hire a reliable mover with confidence.
Hiring a Moving Company: Key Takeaways
- Verify any moving company’s license before booking — USDOT/MC for interstate moves, a state license for local moves.
- Get free, written, in-home (or video) estimates from at least three movers and compare them carefully.
- Check reviews across multiple platforms and confirm the company is full-service and properly insured.
- Read the contract and avoid red flags like large cash deposits, phone-only quotes, and prices that change on move day.
Step 1: Start your moving company search early
Give yourself time — ideally six to eight weeks before move day. Rushing is how people end up with the wrong mover. Build a short list of three or four moving companies that serve your route, whether you need a local move or a long-distance move. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, and note which companies have real roots in the community — a strong sign of a legitimate business.
Step 2: Verify the moving company’s license and insurance
This is non-negotiable. For interstate moves, verify the company’s USDOT and MC numbers in the FMCSA SAFER database; for local Florida moves, confirm the state intrastate license. A legitimate mover will gladly show its paperwork. Also confirm the company carries cargo and workers’ comp insurance, and ask them to explain your moving insurance options — basic Released Value Protection (about 60 cents per pound) versus Full Value Protection. The absence of a verifiable license is the strongest sign of a scam.
Step 3: Get in-home estimates from multiple movers
Never accept a price quoted over the phone without the mover seeing what you’re moving — that’s how “surprise charges” happen. A professional moving company sends someone to your home (in person or by video survey) to assess your belongings and provide a free, written estimate. Get at least three, and make sure each one specifies whether it’s binding, binding-not-to-exceed, or non-binding. Favor binding estimates so your price won’t jump on move day. Here’s how to get accurate moving quotes and compare them fairly.
Step 4: Check reviews and reputation across platforms
Single-platform reviews are easy to game, so look at the bigger picture: read reviews on Google, the BBB, and (for interstate movers) FMCSA complaint history together. Consistent ratings over several years and detailed, specific comments signal a trustworthy moving company. Be wary of companies with no presence outside one site, sudden clusters of generic five-star reviews, or a pattern of unresolved complaints. Knowing the warning signs of bad movers helps you spot trouble early.
Step 5: Confirm the moving company is full-service
The best movers do more than drive a truck. Ask whether the company offers professional packing and unpacking, light furniture disassembly and reassembly, crating for valuables, storage, junk removal, and auto transport. A full-service moving company that keeps everything under one roof means single accountability — no juggling multiple providers. It’s also worth choosing a mover that doesn’t broker your move to an unknown carrier.
Step 6: Read the moving contract before you sign
Review the estimate and contract line by line. Understand the pricing type, the pickup and delivery windows, the valuation/insurance you’ve selected, and any potential add-on fees (long carry, stairs, shuttle). Watch for red flags: a demand for a large cash deposit up front (more than about 10% is suspect), vague language, or a refusal to put things in writing. Pay by credit card when possible for fraud protection, and keep copies of everything.
Step 7: Plan and prepare for a smooth move
Once you’ve hired your moving company, set yourself up for success. Use a move planning guide and checklist, declutter before packing to save money on your move (movers charge by weight or volume), and label boxes clearly by room. The more organized you are, the faster and cheaper the move goes.
Hire a moving company you can trust
A licensed, insured, experienced, full-service mover takes the stress out of moving and protects your belongings from pickup to delivery. Good Greek Moving & Storage checks every box — fully licensed, insured, background-checked crews, free in-home and video estimates, and full-service moving, packing, storage, junk removal, and auto transport. Call (561) 683-1313 or request a free moving quote today.
Hire a Moving Company: Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a moving company is legitimate?
Verify the license first — USDOT and MC numbers at FMCSA SAFER for interstate moves, or the state license for local moves. Then check reviews across Google, the BBB, and FMCSA complaint history. A verifiable license plus consistent reviews over years signals a reliable mover.
How many moving quotes should I get?
At least three. Get free, written estimates after an in-home or video survey, and compare not just the price but the estimate type (binding vs. non-binding), included services, and insurance. The cheapest quote is often the riskiest.
How much deposit should a moving company require?
Little to none — typically 0–10% at booking, with the balance due at completion or delivery. A demand for a large upfront cash deposit is a common scam pattern. Pay by credit card when you can for added protection.
When should I book a moving company?
Ideally six to eight weeks before move day, and even earlier for peak season (summer), month-end, and weekends. Booking early secures your preferred date and gives you time to compare movers properly.
Does Good Greek Moving & Storage offer free estimates?
Yes, Good Greek provides free in-home and video estimates with written, binding pricing, plus full-service local and long-distance moving, packing, storage, junk removal, and auto transport across Florida, Nevada, and nationwide.