Your rights when you hire a mover

Start with the basics

When you hire a mover, you should get clear information before anything is loaded. For interstate moves, the mover must be registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and have a USDOT number. That helps you check whether the company is allowed to carry household goods across state lines.

MoveLantern is a free matching service, not a moving company. We help people compare licensed, vetted movers and understand the process, but you should still verify the mover yourself before you hire anyone.

A good mover should explain the plan, the service level, the expected timing, and what is and is not included. If the answers are vague, keep looking.

• Ask for the mover’s legal company name and USDOT number.
• Confirm whether the move is local or interstate, because the rules are different.

Know the estimate types

Moving prices are planning estimates, not guarantees, unless the written agreement says otherwise. The real price depends on how much you have, how far you’re going, the season, the city or state, and whether you need extras like packing or specialty handling.

Here are the three main estimate types in plain words:

1. Binding estimate - a price the mover locks in, in writing, before the move.
2. Non-binding estimate - a good-faith guess that can change based on the actual weight or services.
3. Not-to-exceed / guaranteed-not-to-exceed - the most you’ll pay, which protects you if the move ends up smaller than expected.

For a sense of typical US planning ranges, a local 1-2 bedroom move is often about $400-$1,500, a local 3-4 bedroom move about $1,000-$3,500, and a long-distance or interstate move about $2,000-$8,000+ depending on weight and distance. Professional packing often adds about $300-$2,000+, and specialty items like a piano may add about $200-$800+. These are typical ranges, vary a lot, and the only number that counts is a written estimate from a licensed mover.

• Get the estimate in writing.
• Ask what could make the price go up or down.

What your mover should give you

Before move day, ask for a written estimate and a clear description of services. For interstate moves, you should also get the bill of lading - the contract and receipt for your move - before the shipment is picked up or when required by the mover’s process.

The paperwork should explain pickup and delivery windows, payment terms, extra charges, and the mover’s valuation - the level of liability coverage the mover provides, which is not the same as insurance. If you want more protection, ask exactly what options exist and what they cost.

If you are more comfortable in another language, ask whether support is available in your language. Many people find it easier to review the details when the estimate and service terms are explained clearly.

• Keep copies of every estimate and message.
• Do not sign anything you do not understand.

How to avoid common moving scams

Most movers are honest, but some warning signs are easy to spot. Be careful if a company gives a very low phone quote without seeing your belongings, demands a large cash deposit, refuses a written estimate, or avoids a video or in-home survey when one is needed.

Another major red flag is the hostage load: the mover picks up your belongings and then demands much more money before delivery. A legitimate mover should explain charges upfront and give you a written contract.

Use this quick check before hiring:

1. Look up the company’s USDOT number for interstate moves.
2. Confirm the company name matches the paperwork.
3. Read the estimate and bill of lading carefully.
4. Ask how claims, delays, and extra charges are handled.
5. Walk away if the answers stay unclear.

• No written estimate is a warning sign.
• A big cash deposit before service can be a red flag.

A simple way to compare movers

The safest way to compare movers is to gather a few written estimates and compare the same things each time: services, dates, price type, and coverage. That helps you see whether one mover is truly a better fit or just easier to understand.

If you want help getting started, you can use our guides to learn the basics, review our services to see how free matching works, or get matched with licensed, vetted movers. The matching service is free for people who are moving, and participating movers pay a flat fee to join the network.

One family planning a cross-state move used this approach: they collected written estimates, checked each mover’s USDOT number, and chose a mover that explained the bill of lading and valuation clearly in their preferred language. They avoided last-minute surprises because they compared the same details from the start.

• Compare the same services, not just the total price.
• Choose the mover that is clear, licensed, and in writing.