Moving Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

Verify the company’s USDOT number and interstate operating authority on the FMCSA website, read recent reviews from several sources, and insist on a written estimate based on a real inventory of your home. Avoid anyone who quotes sight unseen or demands a large cash deposit. Our guide on how to verify an interstate mover walks through every check.

A moving carrier owns or operates the trucks and performs your move. A broker arranges the move and hands it to a carrier. Both must be registered with FMCSA for interstate work. Ask anyone who quotes you whether they are the carrier or a broker, and which company will actually load your truck.

The biggest red flags are a quote given without any inventory, a demand for a large upfront deposit, no USDOT number, a price far below every other offer and a company name that does not match its paperwork. See interstate moving scam warning signs.

You share your route, dates, inventory and service needs once, and participating moving companies review them and respond with options. Requesting quotes is free and you are never obligated to book. See how moving quotes work or request a free quote.

A USDOT number is the identifier the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns to registered carriers, and interstate movers must have one. Search it on the FMCSA website to confirm the company name, address and operating authority match who you are talking to. If the record does not match, do not book.

It is a federal consumer booklet that interstate movers must provide. It explains estimates, inventories, liability, delivery and claims. Read it before pickup day. FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site has the full consumer guidance.

You should receive a bill of lading and a signed inventory of your shipment before the truck leaves. The bill of lading is your contract and receipt, so check that price, services, delivery window and valuation match your estimate. Learn more in understanding the moving bill of lading.

Note it on the delivery paperwork before you sign, photograph it, and file a written claim with the carrier promptly. Keep damaged items and packing until the claim is resolved. See how to file a moving damage claim.

A binding estimate fixes the price for the listed items and services. A non-binding estimate is an approximation, and the final cost follows the actual weight and services. A binding not-to-exceed estimate caps what you pay while allowing a lower bill if the shipment is lighter. Details: binding vs non-binding moving estimates.

Interstate moves are usually priced by shipment weight or volume, distance and services. Packing, storage, stairs, long carries, shuttle trucks and peak-season dates all change the total. Our interstate moving cost guide breaks down each factor.

A mid-week day in the middle of a month, outside peak summer. Month-end and weekends carry the highest demand, so they usually cost more and book up first.

Be cautious. A demand for a large upfront deposit, especially by wire transfer, cash or a payment app, is a common warning sign. Get every payment term in writing. See moving company deposit red flags.

Usually yes for standard beds and tables. Confirm whether disassembly and reassembly are included in your estimate or billed separately.

Tipping is customary and appreciated but never required. Judge it on the care the crew takes with your belongings. On long-distance moves the loading and delivery crews are often different teams.

Basic released-value liability is included at no extra charge but covers only 60 cents per pound per article. A damaged 20-pound item would be covered for about 12 dollars, no matter what it cost.

Under full-value protection the mover must repair the item, replace it or pay its current value, up to the limits in your contract. It costs more than basic liability but protects you far better. Compare options in our moving insurance and valuation guide.

No. Valuation is the mover’s limited liability for your goods; insurance is a separate policy from a third party. Some customers add third-party coverage for high-value items. See moving valuation vs insurance.

Six to eight weeks for a summer interstate move. Two to four weeks is usually workable from October through April.

Delivery comes as a window, commonly measured in days and sometimes longer for small shipments in peak season, because many loads share a trailer. Get the spread in writing. See interstate moving delivery windows.

Often yes, especially off-season, though you lose pricing leverage and choice of company. See last-minute long-distance movers.

You or an authorized adult should be present at both pickup and delivery to sign paperwork and check the inventory.

For fragile items, usually yes, because professionally packed items are handled differently in a claim. For clothing and books, rarely. See packing services for interstate moves.

Use sturdy boxes, put heavy items in small boxes, fill every gap, label each box by destination room and keep an essentials bag with you. Our packing for a long-distance move guide has a room-by-room plan.

Hazardous materials such as propane, fuel, paint and aerosols, perishables, plants on many interstate moves, and anything irreplaceable that you should carry yourself.

Storage-in-transit holds your shipment at a warehouse when your new home is not ready yet, then delivers it later. Ask how it is priced and whether it adds handling fees. See our storage-in-transit guide.