How to Compare Moving Companies and Find Your Ideal Quote

With so much riding on finding a reputable moving service, it's worth taking the time to research and compare moving company quotes—especially if you’re investing thousands of dollars into this service. Before you sign on the dotted line with a moving company near you, check out these tips that will help you weed out the non-contenders and choose the best moving quote for your needs. 

1. Contact at Least Three Moving Companies 

When it comes to hiring moving companies, the more knowledge you have about the overall process and your moving company candidates, the better your experience. Relocation professionals widely recommend that you solicit price quotes from at least three moving companies before deciding who you’ll hire to move your worldly possessions. 

Here’s how to get started: 

• Start your search early: The best moving companies book well in advance, and you’ll have more dates to choose from if you contact them early in your moving process. 

• Get recommendations: Ask your neighbors, friends, and family for local moving company recommendations.

• Read online reviews: Take the time to scroll through the company’s website and read the testimonials from previous customers, as well as reviews on third-party websites.

2. Confirm Licensing and Credentials 

The safety of your stuff is important, so take the time to confirm a moving company’s licensure status. There are several types of licenses, and they vary from state to state, so let's break them down. 

• USDOT license: This is a federal license required for long-distance moves across multiple states. This number should be proudly displayed on a company website. If not, ask for it, and check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) search portal to verify.

• MC number: This is another unique identifier for interstate moving companies. It is issued by FMCSA, and you can confirm using the same portal. 

• State operating authority: Most states require moving companies to be licensed to work locally, so contact a nearby regulatory authority to determine your state's requirements. 

As for credentials, double-check the insurance plans each moving company offers and request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for confirmation. Many moving companies are certified by the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) and similar organizations, which is worth verifying. When all else fails, hit up a company’s BBB page. 

3. Ask for an In-Person Estimate

If your companies offer a free in-person estimate, say yes because this method typically provides the most accurate quotes. In-person assessments save money and time by preventing mix-ups later. 

Some companies use video calls instead of in-person visits. Video is the next best option, especially if the conversation is live, so they can ask questions about your moving plans. Instant online estimates and quotes aren’t as reliable because details are often left out, so don’t base your moving budget solely on those numbers. 

4. Learn the Factors That Impact Your Moving Quote 

Moving quotes have many factors that determine your final costs and are significantly influenced by the type of move. 

Local Move

Most local moving companies consider a move within 50 miles local. In this case, companies typically charge by the hour and by the number of movers needed, usually between $25 to $50 per hour for each. Your quote will include an estimate of how many hours your move requires, including any special services, like disassembly and reassembly of furniture. 

Long-Distance Move

Quotes for long-distance move costs are calculated differently than local moves. Moving companies base quotes on the total weight of your items, the distance between pick-up and delivery, and labor costs. Moving companies could also include a fuel surcharge and storage-in-transit options. 

Special Services 

Many moving companies offer extra services beyond packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Talk to your company rep about charges for additional services, including: 

• Car shipping

• Piano transport

• Oversized items

• Exercise machines

• Staircases

• Packing materials

• Last-minute changes

5. Understand the Main Parts of a Moving Quote 

Learning the major parts of a moving quote helps you compare your options and ultimately choose the best moving company for your job. Your quote should include:

• Move date

• Move distance

• Special services 

• Estimated size and weight of your household goods

• Moving insurance option 

Estimates 

Your potential moving companies will provide you with one of three kinds of estimates. Compare them; you could find benefits to one or the other. 

• Binding moving estimate: The company guarantees the price (flat-rate) they quote you if there aren’t significant changes. 

• Non-binding moving estimate: This type of estimate is based on the moving company's educated guess of how long your move will take (if it is a local move) and how much it will weigh (with a long-distance or interstate move). You could pay more or less once the company calculates official numbers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guarantees that the company can’t ask you to pay more than 110% of the original estimate at delivery. 

• Binding-not-to-exceed moving estimate: Similar to a binding estimate, a-binding-not-to-exceed estimate allows you to pay less than your quote if your household goods weigh less than the estimate. 

Moving Insurance 

During your company research, you’ll need to verify whether the companies you’re considering are insured, as well as what type of additional coverage you’ll need to protect your items during transit. 

• Released-value protection: This is basic coverage and only pays you 60 cents per pound per item, but it's included in your moving costs. 

• Full-value protection. This type of moving insurance is more comprehensive, based on current cash value, and the costs are calculated based on your shipment and could cost you several hundred dollars more. 

6. Make a Side-by-Side Comparison of Your Moving Quotes

Now that you know what you're looking for, it's time to compare the moving quotes and factor in the company’s ratings and reviews. For reference, you should know that hiring professional movers can cost anywhere between $240 and $10,000. 

Take notice if one company’s quote is significantly lower than the others or if they require a partial payment upfront—these are red flags that the company isn’t complying with industry standards or promising more services than they can deliver.  

7. Ask for a Discount 

If all of your quotes are similar but you’d like to trim your costs, there are ways to spend less on moving day. 

• Lighten the load: It's best to donate or throw away your unwanted items before soliciting your quote to lessen the weight of your belongings. 

• Try DIY packing and unpacking: If your movers simply load and unload, you’ll save time and money.  

• Pick a less popular day to move: Weekends during the spring and summer months are the most expensive days to move. If you have the wiggle room, try a fall or winter mid-week schedule instead. 

• Ask for discounts: Plenty of moving companies offer discounts to students, military members, AAA, and AARP members.

What to Have Prepared When Calling Movers

To make the moving process as efficient as possible, prepare the following items before calling movers to get more information. 

List of Items to Move 

Before you pick up the phone, make a list of everything you’ll need to pack up and move. This information will give movers an idea of how much your items will weigh, which is usually the basis for your quote. It will help moving companies determine how many movers they’ll need, what type of equipment to bring, and how to schedule the move. 

Required Services

Before soliciting price quotes, determine what additional services you'll need from a moving company, such as assistance with packing and unpacking or moving antiques. If you’re moving across the country or to a different state, you’ll also need to let them know if you want to store your items long or short-term with them. It helps to research each company to see what services they offer before contacting them.  

List of Questions

Another way to prepare before calling movers is to make a list of questions to ask. It’s a good idea to ask each potential moving company if they’re licensed and insured, what type of estimate they provide, whether they tack on any extra fees throughout the moving process. 

Types of Moving Quotes

When receiving moving quotes from professional movers, there are typically three types of estimates you can expect to encounter. The best way to ensure you’re not only getting the best deal but paying for a quality service is to read the fine print and understand which type of quote you’re receiving from the get-go. 

Non-Binding 

A non-binding quote is based on the weight of your items but is subject to change if your things weigh more than expected. The issue with non-binding estimates is that once you’ve signed on the dotted line, you are responsible for any additional fees the moving company tacks on to your move, which can amount to 10% of the original quote. In this situation, you could receive a quote on the lower end of the spectrum, only to be hit with another bill at the time of delivery.

Binding 

A binding quote is when the moving company provides a fixed cost that won’t change throughout the process. The quote is typically based on the collective weight of the to-be-moved items and once you agree to it, you will pay no more or no less than that amount. 

This type of agreement can work in your favor if your belongings weigh more than the estimate, but it can work against you if they weigh less. Regardless, you won’t have to deal with any unexpected charges in a binding quote, but you won’t be able to add any last-minute items or sneak any additional boxes onto the moving truck. 

Binding Not-to-Exceed

One of the more popular quotes for long-distance moves, binding not-to-exceed estimates provide a quote based on the weight of your items. If your items exceed the projected weight, you will not have to fork over more cash. Instead, you’ll pay the exact amount from the quote. However, if your items weigh less than estimated, you will only be required to pay for the cost of shipping the actual weight. This type of quote guarantees that you won’t pay more than the original quote, with the chance that you could save money in the long run. 

How to Save on Moving Quotes

The following steps can help you save money before you even contact a moving company for a quote. 

Get Rid of Unnecessary Items 

The fewer items you move, the less you’ll pay a professional moving company to pack, load, deliver, and unload. Before you start reaching out for quotes, get a better idea of what you can downsize and declutter ahead of the move. That way, you’ll be able to provide a more accurate estimate of your belongings' weight and size, and your quote will probably be less without the added clutter. 

Select an Off-Season Moving Date 

If it’s possible to select a moving date between September and April, you’ll likely have lower rates than peak moving season. You may also score a better deal and availability by scheduling a mid-month move on a weekday, since movers are typically slammed on the weekends. You can likely find better deals in the middle of the month on a weekday than on a Saturday at the end of the month. 

DIY When Possible

If you can pack or move any of your items yourself, you’ll save on labor costs. The fewer items your movers have to handle, the more you’ll save. DIYing parts of your move can make the process less time-consuming, but you’ll likely still need the help of professional movers with heavy items, large moves, and long-distance hauls.