Questions to ask before you hire a moving company
Moving day is fast approaching, and you still haven’t lined up a South Florida moving company to handle it. You’re not alone — plenty of people put off this important job out of fear of hiring the wrong mover. That’s understandable: some moving companies have run scams on South Florida residents, and others simply aren’t very good at the job. (Knowing the warning signs of bad movers helps too.)
The good news is you can screen out the bad ones by asking the right questions. If a moving company can’t answer these the right way, cross it off your list — your belongings are too important to hand to a mover you don’t fully trust.
Ask a Mover: Key Takeaways
- Always verify a moving company’s license before booking — USDOT/MC number for interstate moves, state license for local moves.
- Insist on a free, written, in-person (or video) estimate; the agreed price shouldn’t change afterward.
- Confirm the mover is full-service (packing, assembly, crating, storage) and ask about insurance/valuation options.
- Check experience and cross-platform reviews, and walk away from any moving company that’s evasive about credentials.
1. Does the moving company offer insurance?
A good moving company should offer you the chance to protect your belongings beyond the basic coverage required by law. Under federal rules, movers must include free Released Value Protection, but it only pays about 60 cents per pound, per item, which is far too little for anything valuable. Reputable movers explain your moving insurance options clearly and offer Full Value Protection or a trusted third-party insurer. Remember, moving companies themselves are not insurance brokers, and a quality mover won’t broker your move off to an unknown carrier, either.
2.Will the movers give an in-person moving quote?
It rarely makes sense for a moving company to quote a price over the phone without seeing what’s being moved. It’s possible, but it’s how “surprise charges” happen on move day. The best movers send someone to your home — in person or by video survey — to look over your items and provide a written estimate. (Here’s how to get accurate moving quotes.)
3.Is the moving estimate free and binding?
Estimates should be free, in writing, and clear about the type: a binding (or binding-not-to-exceed) estimate locks your price, while a non-binding estimate can change. Favor binding estimates, and make sure the agreed price won’t climb once your belongings are on the truck.
4.Is the moving company full-service?
Ask what the moving company actually does. Do they offer professional packing and unpacking? Will they handle light assembly and disassembly, such as beds? Do they provide crating for valuables like art? The answer to all of these should be yes. The best companies also offer storage if you need to house your possessions before, during, or after a move.
5.Is the moving company fully licensed?
The higher-end South Florida moving companies are fully licensed for moves across town, across the state, and across the country — and they’ll have the paperwork to prove it. Ask to see it. 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. Verification takes about a minute, and the absence of a license is the single biggest red flag.
6.Does the moving company have real experience?
Unless you’re comfortable with a brand-new company, ask how many years a mover has been in business and what types of moves they handle. Then go online and read reviews — good and bad — across multiple platforms (Google, BBB, and FMCSA complaint history together, not just one site). Look for consistent patterns over years, and treat clusters of generic five-star reviews with suspicion.
7.How does the moving company handle deposits and payment?
Reputable movers ask for little or no deposit up front (more than about 10% is a warning sign) with the balance due at delivery. Pay by credit card when possible for fraud protection, and never wire cash to a mover you haven’t verified. A company demanding a large cash deposit before lifting a box is one to avoid.
8.What kind of insurance should a mover offer?
Movers must include free Released Value Protection (about 60 cents per pound, per item) and should offer Full Value Protection or a third-party insurer for fuller coverage. Any company that won’t clearly explain your options is waving a red flag.
9.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.
10.How do I check a moving company’s reputation?
Read reviews across Google, the BBB, and (for interstate movers) FMCSA complaint history together. Consistent ratings over several years and detailed, specific reviews signal a legitimate moving company; one-platform-only profiles or sudden review clusters do not.
Choose a moving company you can trust
These are the core questions to ask any potential moving company. If a mover can’t answer them the right way, move on. For a fuller walkthrough, see our guide on how to hire a moving company — and a few smart questions up front can even save you money on your move. With a licensed, insured, experienced, full-service company, your belongings stay protected from pickup to delivery.
Ready to talk to a professional mover? Call (561) 683-1313 or request a free moving quote today.