20 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before You Hire Them

Hiring a moving company is a significant decision. You're entrusting strangers with everything you own, often on a tight timeline, and the range of outcomes — from flawless to catastrophic — is wider than most people realize.

The good news: the questions you ask before signing a contract reveal almost everything you need to know. A legitimate, professional moving company will answer these questions directly and without hesitation. A company with something to hide will hedge, deflect, or give you vague non-answers that should send you elsewhere.

Here are 20 essential questions, organized by topic, to ask any mover you're seriously considering.

Licensing and Credentials

1. Are you licensed with the California PUC?

All household goods movers operating within California must be registered with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Ask for their MTR (Motor Truck Registration) number and verify it yourself at cpuc.ca.gov. An unlicensed mover is operating illegally and provides you with no regulatory protection.

2. Do you have a USDOT number?

For moves that cross state lines, movers must also register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry a USDOT number. Verify this at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Even for local moves, asking this question reveals whether the company is familiar with regulatory requirements.

3. Are you a moving company or a broker?

Many entities that advertise as "moving companies" are actually brokers — they take your booking and subcontract it to another company. Brokers are legal but must disclose their broker status. The critical follow-up: "If you're a broker, which company will actually perform my move, and can I verify their credentials?"

4. What is your physical business address?

A legitimate mover has a physical facility where they operate. A PO box or an address that turns out to be a mail forwarding service is a red flag. Ask to see their address and consider verifying it on Google Maps street view.

Pricing and Estimates

5. Will this estimate be binding or non-binding?

A binding estimate is a contractual commitment to the quoted price (assuming the scope doesn't change). A non-binding estimate is essentially a guess that the final bill could exceed. Always push for a binding estimate.

6. What is your hourly rate, and does that include all movers and the truck?

In Los Angeles, most local moves are charged hourly. Understand exactly what the rate covers: is it per mover, or for the whole crew? Does it include the truck and fuel?

7. Is there a minimum number of hours?

Most LA movers have a 2–3 hour minimum regardless of how quickly the job is completed. Make sure this is disclosed upfront so you can factor it into your comparison.

8. Are there any additional fees I should know about?

This open-ended question is often the most revealing. Legitimate companies will proactively mention stair fees, long-carry fees, fuel surcharges, and travel time charges. Companies with something to hide will say "no" and add them to the final bill.

Specifically ask about:

• Stair fees (if applicable)
• Long-carry fees
• Fuel surcharge
• Shuttle/small vehicle fee
• Elevator wait time
• Travel time (drive time to/from your location)

9. Do you charge for travel time to my home?

Some LA movers charge for the drive from their facility to your location (and sometimes back). This can add 30–90 minutes to your bill. Ask specifically whether this is charged and how much.

10. What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Life happens. Ask what happens if you need to reschedule your move or cancel entirely. What notice is required? Are deposits refundable? Understanding this upfront protects you if your timeline changes.

The Moving Process

11. Will you do an in-person or video survey before providing an estimate?

Quotes given over the phone without any assessment of your actual inventory are guesses at best. A professional mover should offer to survey your home — either in person or via video call — to provide an accurate estimate. Insist on this before trusting any number.

12. Who will actually be performing my move?

Will it be employees of the company, or subcontracted crews? Some companies use their own trained, background-checked employees; others use day labor or subcontractors. The difference in professionalism and accountability can be significant.

13. What experience do your movers have with specialty items?

If you have a piano, artwork, antiques, wine collection, or other high-value specialty items, ask directly: "Have your crews handled items like this before? What is your process?" Ask for references if necessary.

14. What size truck will you use for my move?

The right truck size affects how many trips are needed (which affects cost and time) and whether large items can be moved efficiently. An experienced mover should recommend a truck size after reviewing your inventory.

15. What is your process for protecting floors, walls, and doorways during the move?

Professional movers use floor runners, door jamb protectors, and furniture blankets to protect both your belongings and your home. If a company has no answer to this question, that tells you something about their operational standards.

Insurance and Claims

16. What level of liability coverage is included in the estimate?

The default (released value protection) covers only $0.60 per pound per item — nearly meaningless for modern household goods. Ask what's included and what full value protection costs.

17. How do you handle damage claims?

Ask specifically: "If something is damaged during my move, what is the claims process? How long does it take to resolve? Do you have an independent claims process or does your company handle it internally?"

A mover who handles their own claims has an inherent conflict of interest. Some companies use third-party claims administrators, which is generally more consumer-friendly.

18. What is your claim resolution timeline?

Under California PUC rules, movers have specific timelines for acknowledging and resolving claims. Ask what the company's typical resolution time is and whether they've ever had to settle claims.

References and Track Record

19. Can you provide references from recent customers?

Any legitimate, experienced mover should be able to provide 2–3 references from recent customers who had moves of similar complexity to yours. Follow up and actually call them.

20. How long have you been in business under your current name and ownership?

Some rogue operators change names frequently to escape negative reviews. A company that's operated under the same name for 5+ years with a consistent review history is far more trustworthy than one with a new website and a name that doesn't match any historical records.

How to Use This List

Don't fire all 20 questions at a mover in rapid succession — that's not a productive conversation. Instead:

• Start with questions 1–4 to establish credentials before investing time
• Ask questions 5–10 when requesting an estimate
• Cover questions 11–15 during the survey or pre-move consultation
• Review questions 16–18 when reviewing the contract
• Use questions 19–20 as part of your background research

A good mover will welcome these questions. They demonstrate that you're an informed customer who values quality and transparency — exactly the kind of customer reputable movers prefer to work with.

What Good Answers Look Like

Here's what you should hear from a legitimate, professional mover in Los Angeles:

• "Our CPUC number is [MTR number]. You can verify it at cpuc.ca.gov."
• "We provide binding estimates based on an in-home or video survey."
• "Our hourly rate is $X for a 2-person crew with truck included. The minimum is 3 hours."
• "We charge [X amount] for travel time to your location."
• "Full value protection is available for $[X] and covers your items at full replacement value."
• "Damage claims are processed through [process] and typically resolved within [timeframe]."

These aren't difficult questions for a legitimate company. If you're getting evasion, vague answers, or pressure to commit quickly — look elsewhere.

Getting Straight Answers From LuxeMove

At LuxeMove, we welcome every one of these questions. We'll tell you our license number, our hourly rate, our minimum hours, our coverage options, and our claims process — all before you commit to anything.

We think informed customers make better decisions, and better decisions lead to better moves. Contact us here to get a quote and ask us anything. You can also review our approach to pricing and services at /services.