5 Questions to Ask Movers Before Hiring

Key Takeaways

• The five questions to ask before hiring movers cover licensing, binding estimates, years in business, hidden fees, and experience with your specific move type.
• Confirm the mover holds a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and verify binding estimates, which lock your price in writing.
• Companies with 10+ years in business have handled tricky edge cases and offer more reviews to vet, while shady operators may rebrand to escape bad ones.
• Ask for an itemized list of hidden fees: stairs, long carries, fuel, bulky items, and confirm the crew has handled your move type, whether local, long-distance, or specialty.
• Got2Move has served California since 2006 with full Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) licensing, binding flat-rate quotes, no hidden fees, and crews in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

What Should You Ask Movers Before Hiring Them?

Before hiring movers, ask whether they're licensed and registered, if they offer binding estimates, how many years they've operated, what extra fees could apply, and whether they've handled moves like yours. These five questions quickly expose which companies are legitimate and which could cost you money or peace of mind.

Licensing is the first filter, since an unregistered mover leaves you with no protection if something goes wrong. Binding estimates lock in your price, while years in business and fee transparency show how a company handles real-world complications. Experience with your move type:  local, long-distance, commercial, or specialty, decides whether the crew has the right gear and training.

Got2Move has answered all five questions for California movers since 2006, holding full state licensing, offering binding flat-rate quotes, and running dedicated crews in San Francisco and Los Angeles. That track record separates a smooth move from an expensive lesson.

Got2Move: California's Premier Moving Company 4.8★ Google | 4.7★ Yelp | BBB A+ Rating | Licensed & Insured Built for California Moves: SF ↔ LA Specialists: Dual hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles with dedicated crews and trucks. Faster routes, flexible scheduling, competitive rates. Full-Service Moving: Local residential/commercial moves, long-distance within California, plus packing and specialty item handling. The Got2Move Difference: ✓ Licensed California mover (CAL-T 191707) ✓ Binding flat-rate quotes for all California long-distance moves ✓ Corporate clients include Ninth Decimal and Expensify ✓ 92% positive review rate across 500+ reviews ✓ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees Trust & Experience You Need: Founded in San Francisco in 2006, we've built California's most reliable moving network serving SF and LA residents 7 days a week. Get Your Free Moving Quote →

How to Vet a Mover: The 5 Questions in Detail

Before hiring professional movers, be sure to ask these five questions. 

1. Are You Licensed with the FMCSA?

Any moving company that operates across state lines is legally required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is non-negotiable. A legitimate interstate mover will have a USDOT number you can verify directly on theFMCSA website in seconds. If a company hesitates to provide this number or claims they don't need one, walk away immediately.

For local moves within a single state, licensing requirements vary. California, for example, requires movers to be licensed through the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), part of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Always ask which regulatory body oversees the company and confirm their license is active and in good standing.

2. Do You Offer Binding Estimates?

A binding estimate locks in the price you're quoted, so the final bill can't exceed that number regardless of how long the move takes or how many trips are needed. 

There are three main types of estimates to know:

• Binding estimate: The price is fixed. What you're quoted is what you pay.
• Non-binding estimate: The final cost can exceed the quote, sometimes significantly.
• Binding not-to-exceed estimate: The price can come in lower than quoted, but never higher

Some trustworthy companies don't offer binding estimates, so this alone shouldn't disqualify a mover. But if a company refuses to put any estimate in writing, that's a red flag worth taking seriously.

3. How Long Have You Been In Business?

Experience matters in moving more than most people realize. A company that's been operating for 10+ years has handled the edge cases that trip up newer crews, like narrow staircases, fragile antiques, last-minute reschedules, and tricky high-rise loading rules. Newer companies can absolutely do great work, but a longer track record gives you more reviews to read and a clearer picture of how they handle problems.

Ask how long the company has been in business under its current name, since some shady operators rebrand to escape bad reviews. Cross-check the answer against their USDOT registration date, their Better Business Bureau profile, and reviews on Google or Yelp. If the dates don't line up or the company name has changed recently with no clear reason, that's worth a second look before you book.

4. Are There Any Hidden Fees?

This is where a lot of movers catch customers off guard. A quote might look great on paper, but additional charges can pile up fast. Common hidden fees include charges for carrying items up or down stairs, long carry fees when the truck can't park close to your home, fuel surcharges, packing material fees, and extra charges for bulky or oversized items like pianos or safes.

Ask for a complete, itemized list of any additional charges that could apply to your specific move. A transparent company will walk you through every potential fee without you having to pry it out of them. If getting a straight answer feels like pulling teeth, consider that a preview of what doing business with them will feel like.

5. Do You Have Experience With My Type of Move?

Ask professional movers if they have handled similar moves in the past. 

Not all moves are the same. A local move across town is a very different job than a long-distance interstate relocation, a commercial office move, or a move that involves fragile antiques, specialty art, or a grand piano. Ask directly whether the company has specific experience with your type of move, and ask for examples. 

A company that regularly handles long-distance moves will have systems, equipment, and crew training that a strictly local mover simply won't have. Matching the right company to the right type of move is one of the most overlooked factors in getting a good outcome.

Questions to Ask Movers: Summary Table

Why Choose Got2Move for Your California Move? 

Got2Move is a professional mover that helps moves within California. 

The five questions above filter out the movers who'll cause problems before they ever touch your boxes. Licensing, binding estimates, time in business, fee transparency, and move-type experience tell you everything you need to know. Ask all five, cross-check the answers, and trust your gut on the rest.

We've been moving California families and businesses since 2006, with binding flat-rate quotes for long-distance moves, full Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) licensing, and crews trained for everything from studio apartments to long-distance corporate relocations. Every answer to those five questions is one we welcome.Get your free moving quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do I Check If a Moving Company Is Legitimate?

To check if a moving company is legitimate, look up their USDOT number on the FMCSA's official website at fmcsa.dot.gov. Every licensed interstate moving company is required to have one, and the database will show you their registration status, insurance information, and any safety violations on record. For California-based local movers, you can verify their license through the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) website at bhgs.dca.ca.gov.

What Is the Most Important Question to Ask a Mover?

The single most important question to ask a mover is whether they are licensed and insured. Specifically ask if they have an active USDOT number registered with the FMCSA. This one question filters out fraudulent and fly-by-night operations immediately. 

Everything else (pricing, experience, damage policies) only matters if the company is operating legally in the first place. Without verified licensing, you have no consumer protections if something goes wrong.

What Are Red Flags to Watch For in Movers?

There are several warning signs that a moving company may not be trustworthy. The most serious ones include demanding a large cash deposit upfront, providing a quote without ever seeing your belongings, having no verifiable physical address, and being unable or unwilling to provide a USDOT number. 

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Moving Company?

For most moves, booking four to eight weeks in advance is ideal. If you're moving during peak season (typically May through September) or over a holiday weekend, booking even earlier (eight to twelve weeks out) gives you the best selection of dates and avoids premium pricing from high-demand periods. Last-minute bookings are possible but often come with limited availability and higher costs.

Is Got2Move a Licensed Company?

Yes,Got2Move is a fully licensed and insured moving company operating in California. We hold all required state licensing through the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) and maintain proper insurance coverage to protect customers throughout the moving process. To verify our licensing or get a quote, reach us at 855-936-4109. 

*Note: Prices are approximate only and may vary based on factors like distance, weight, volume, home size, seasonality, and specific services requested. Final billing may also include additional charges such as fuel surcharges, stairs, long carries, or other service-related fees. For an exact, binding quote, please contact Got2Move directly.