Questions to Ask Your Potential Moving Company
In my opinion, the questions you ask the moving company will set the tone for the move. In most situations in life, if you know what you are talking about when requesting services, you tend to get better service. As a physical therapist, I tend to be more thorough when my patients are also health care providers because we can speak each other’s lingo. Other health care providers know what kind of questions to ask, which leads to more in-depth conversation.
Therefore, when communicating with a moving company, it is essential to know the lingo and know what questions to ask, so they present you their best self. You will get ripped off or incur numerous unexpected fees later on if you do not thoroughly interview a moving company. You have to know the right questions to ask.
Below is a list of questions to ask the moving company so you can get a thorough evaluation of their services. There are a lot of questions, I know. But I want you to be as thorough and complete as possible when researching a moving company. Put the pressure on them to prove to you they are an excellent company to hire.
Questions about company
- Are you licensed?
- If working with interstate movers – are you registered with DoT? Registration if legally required.
- If working with local movers – are you registered with the state? Requirements vary from state to state.
- How long has your company been in business?
- Do you have references?
Questions about quote
- Can you provide a binding quote?
- How long do I have to review the quote? When does the quote expire?
- Are there any other additional fees I will incur? i.e., flight charge, stair carry, long carry, shuttle service, appliance service, etc.
- How much work can I do myself to offset the cost?
- For local moves: do you charge by the hour?
- For long distance moves: do you charge by weight?
- What happens if I need to change dates or cancel?
Questions about liability
- What liability-coverage (insurance) is available?
- Do you provide full-value protection? On which items?
- Do you provide released-value protection? This rate is usually $0.60/lb
- Who do I contact if I have an issue?
- What happens if something is broken or missing?
- How do you protect items from damage?
Questions about communication
- Who is my point of contact before the move? What is the best way to reach them?
- Who is my point of contact during the move? What is the best way to reach them?
- Who is my point of contact after the move? What is the best way to reach them?
Questions about labor
- Will your moving company complete all aspects of the move or work with a third party?
- How many laborers will be packing my items? Loading? Unloading?
- Are your employees covered by Workers Compensation & Public Liability Insurance?
Questions about packing and loading
- Can I pack my items?
- What kind of inventory system is used to stay organized?
- What supplies do you use? Do I pay for supplies?
- When packing my items, are there any items that are prohibited?
- Will you pack items of high value, like TVs, mirrors, large frames?
- Do you have the proper equipment to move large items safely?
- A permit is required to park moving truck on my street. Who is responsible for obtaining the permit?
- How long will packing and loading take?
- How do you weigh my belongings?
- Will items other than mine, loaded on the moving truck?
- Do you transfer my items to another truck at any point?
- Once loaded, will my items be moved around?
- Will my items need to be unloaded before reaching my destination?
- Are packing and loading dates guaranteed?
Questions about shipping and delivery
- How long will it take for items to ship items to delivery address?
- What if the moving truck cannot fit at my destination?
- Is storage available if my destination is not ready for delivery?
- What happens if my items arrive at the destination before I do?
- Are unloading dates guaranteed?
- What happens if I change my destination address?
Questions about payment
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- Do you require a deposit?
- How will I receive a receipt?
- Will you accept payment from my employer? Or do you require payment from me?
Great advice! I had not thought about some of the points you have made! I am not moving ..but will share this with my friends that are! Thank you!
Thanks, Holly.
Extremely valuable information to have! Thanks for laying all of this out for us “serial movers” 🙂
Thanks, Lee Anne. Good luck with your next move 🙂
This is so helpful wow. I’d never have thought to ask most of these questions. You were very thorough in your outline of what to ask when you hire movers. Thanks!
Thanks, Amy!
These are very helpful tips! Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome, Brianna.
Great tips and questions. I have never been ripped off, per se, but I have definitely not felt as confident as I’d like with a moving company. If I have asked these questions, I probably would have had more peace of mind.
Thanks, Jordan. Working with moving companies can be a bit tricky, depending on who you are working with.
We usually move ourselves with a slew of neighbors & relatives with a fleet of stock trailer, but defiantly going so share with the other side of my family that is cityfide and moving soon!
Thanks, Natalie!
What a great, comprehensive list of questions to ask! Moving is always stressful, but hopefully these can help ease some of that stress.
Thanks, Michelle. I hope it helps folks out there, as we had to learn some things the hard way.
I have always heard such nightmare stories! These are great tips!
Thanks, Tricia.
These are great questions and tips to know. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Lisa.
This a very comprehensive list and very helpful!
Thanks, Jill.
These are great questions to consider. Sometime the contracts are overwhelming too!
Thanks, Lisa
I wish we had this list a few years ago when we used a moving company, it was such a bad experience that the next time we moved, we rented a truck and did it ourselves.
Aw, I am sorry you had such a bad experience, Tracy.
I have never used a moving company. I think I am too frugal. Reading all of these things to consider makes me happy I am frugal.
There are definitely pros and cons to moving yourself vs. using a company
What a list of questions! Wow! It’s so good. Thanks!
Thanks, Karla.
I used a moving company when I went overseas. They broke so many pieces of my antique furniture it was crazy. They actually tried to fold the legs in my oak dining room table. It was a nightmare. Great blog and good questions.
Oh, Kim, I am so sorry. Sorry, you had to go through that experience. How frustrating!
This is a very thorough list. And a great resource for anyone looking to move. You’ve thought of everything!
Thanks, Ellen.
Thanks for thus great list of questions. I’ve heard soooooo many horror stories about moving companies.
You’re welcome, Kendra.
WOW! I had no idea that one should ask all of these questions of the company you’re looking to hire to move your things. If I ever need to move, I’d certainly refer back to this!
It can be a bit overwhelming, but it’s so important to have all the details sorted out before agreeing to a contract.
It’s a huge challenge trying to find the right company, this is a great list.
Thanks, Maria.
Great tips! I haven’t moved in 16 years…so this will be a great refresher when the time comes to do so. I am going to pin this for later!
Thanks, Judean!
Great list of questions to ask! I’ve been a realtor for 16 years. Moving companies can be a problem. Your questions will help to select a reputable company.
Thanks, Cindy. I agree, Moving companies can really take advantage of you if not prepared.
What great tips! Moving is such a pain, that a good and honest moving company is so important.
Thanks, Pauline. I agree.
Wow! This is so informative! Being a military family, this really comes in handy!
Thanks, Sue! I am sure you have plenty of moves under your belt and know the stress that comes with moving.