We've been in this industry since 1976, and we've seen what happens when people hire the wrong mover. Furniture held hostage. Final bills double the estimate. Crews that don't show up. The moving business has plenty of good companies, but it has bad ones too. These 10 questions will help you tell the difference before you sign anything.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
This is the first question, every time. For interstate moves, the company needs a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Verify it at protectyourmove.gov. For moves within North Carolina, they should be registered with the NC Utilities Commission. A legitimate mover will hand you these numbers without hesitating. If they dodge the question, walk away.
Insurance matters just as much. The company should carry general liability and cargo insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance. Any reputable company will provide one without complaint. Ours is USDOT #0233952, and we'll give you the certificate before you ask.
2. What Type of Estimate Do You Provide?
There are three types. A non-binding estimate is an approximation, and your final bill can come in higher. A binding estimate locks in the price based on the listed inventory. A not-to-exceed estimate caps your maximum cost but allows for a lower charge if your shipment weighs less. Not-to-exceed gives you the best protection. That's what Truckin' Movers provides.
3. What Do Your Online Reviews Say?
Check Google Reviews, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and the FMCSA complaint database. Look for patterns, not individual reviews. A company with 300+ reviews and a 4.9 rating tells you something real. Fifteen perfect reviews from last month doesn't. Also pay attention to how they respond to negative reviews. Professional, solution-focused responses show a company that actually cares. Check out our reviews page to see what our customers say.
4. How Long Have You Been in Business?
Longevity matters here. A company that's been operating for decades has a track record you can check, established supplier relationships, and processes refined through thousands of moves. We've been at it for 49 years. That doesn't make newer companies bad, but it does mean there are more unknowns. Ask how many moves they complete each year and whether they've handled your specific type of move before.
5. Do You Use Your Own Crews and Equipment?
Some companies, especially brokers, subcontract your move to whoever's available. That creates accountability problems. If something goes wrong, the broker points to the subcontractor and vice versa. Ask if the company uses W-2 employees and company-owned trucks. Our crew members average over 10 years with us. They're career employees, not day labor. That's one of our Four Pillars, and it's the reason our damage rates stay low.
6. What Packing Services Do You Offer?
Full-service movers should offer multiple levels: full packing (they pack everything), partial packing (you handle most things, they do fragile or complex items), and unpacking. Ask about materials. Quality boxes, acid-free paper, custom crating for artwork. Find out if materials are included in the quote or charged separately. A good mover will tailor the service to your needs and your budget.
7. What Is Your Claims Process for Damaged Items?
Even the best crews occasionally damage something. What matters is what happens next. Ask about the claims process. How do you file? What's the timeline? What valuation coverage is included?
Federal law requires two levels of liability: released value protection ($0.60 per pound per article, included at no charge) and full value protection (the mover repairs, replaces, or reimburses at current market value). Full value protection costs extra but is worth it for moves with expensive furniture, electronics, or artwork.
8. What Is Your Timeline and Delivery Window?
Local moves typically start in the morning and finish the same day. Long-distance delivery windows range from 3 to 21 days depending on distance and routing. Ask for a specific window in writing. Vague answers like "7 to 14 business days" with no further detail are a yellow flag. At Truckin' Movers, Exact Moving Dates is one of our Four Pillars. We give you a specific pickup and delivery date, not a window that spans two weeks.
9. Are There Any Additional Fees I Should Know About?
Hidden fees are the most common complaint in moving. Ask about these specifically:
- Stair charges, typically $50 to $75 per flight
- Long carry fees, when the truck can't park close to the door
- Elevator fees
- Shuttle fees, when a smaller truck is needed to reach your street
- Fuel surcharges
- Storage-in-transit fees if there's a gap between pickup and delivery
- Saturday or holiday surcharges
A transparent company lists all potential charges in the estimate. Visit our FAQ page for more on how we handle pricing.
10. Can You Provide References?
Any mover who's confident in their work will connect you with past customers. Ask for 2 to 3 references, ideally for moves similar to yours. When you call them, ask about communication, timeliness, care with belongings, and whether the final price matched the estimate. References combined with online reviews give you the full picture.
Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away from any company that:
- Requires a large cash deposit before the move
- Gives an estimate over the phone without seeing your belongings
- Has no physical business address
- Can't provide a USDOT number or state registration
- Offers a price far below every other estimate (that's bait-and-switch)
- Uses a generic email address (gmail, yahoo) instead of a company domain
- Won't put the estimate in writing
Choosing a mover is one of the most important decisions in your relocation. Take the time to ask these questions, verify credentials, and trust your gut. Truckin' Movers has been serving the Triangle since 1976, and we welcome every one of these questions. We've got nothing to hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a moving company and a moving broker?
A moving company uses its own employees and trucks to do the move. A broker arranges the move but hires someone else to actually show up. That extra layer reduces accountability. Always confirm if you're dealing with a carrier or a broker. We're a carrier. Our trucks, our crews.
How many estimates should I get before choosing a mover?
At least three. That lets you spot outliers on both ends and compare what's actually included. In-home or video estimates are far more accurate than phone-only quotes. We're happy to be one of the three.
Can movers hold my belongings hostage?
It happens with bad operators who inflate the price after loading your stuff. This is why written estimates and license verification matter so much. If it happens to you, file a complaint with the FMCSA and your state attorney general immediately.
What should I do if my belongings are damaged during the move?
Document the damage right away with photos and notes. File a claim with the moving company within the contract timeframe, typically 9 months for interstate moves. Keep all paperwork, including the inventory list and bill of lading. Those are essential for processing your claim.