By ReviewMyMover Editorial · November 4, 2026
Match the company name and registration
For an interstate household-goods move, check the company’s identity, business type, registration, and relevant operating status in FMCSA’s mover database. Match the legal name and USDOT number to the estimate. A USDOT number by itself does not establish current authority or government endorsement.
Know who will handle the shipment
Ask whether you are speaking to a carrier or a broker. A carrier transports household goods; a broker arranges transportation with a carrier. If you use a broker, ask which carrier is expected to perform the move and confirm its details independently.
Compare written estimates on the same inventory
Get more than one written estimate covering the same items and services. Ask about packing, access, stairs, storage, delivery windows, and any conditions that can change the price. Do not sign blank documents or rely only on verbal promises.
Pause when payment pressure replaces answers
FMCSA identifies demands for cash or a large advance deposit as warning signs. Ask for the payment schedule, cancellation terms, and a receipt. Pressure to pay immediately, an unusually low estimate, or refusal to explain charges warrants further checking.
Keep a record and know where to turn
Save estimates, inventory lists, signed documents, receipts, and messages. Consult FMCSA’s moving-fraud warning signs and its complaint resources. For a move within one state, also check the applicable state moving requirements.
Use the moving budget planner and company directory to organize your next steps.
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