When you plan a move, reviews can be your best friend or your biggest blind spot. Star ratings do not tell the whole story. The strongest strategy is to combine third-party reviews with official records and a few quick verification steps. This guide shows you exactly how to evaluate moving company reviews like an expert, spot red flags early, and verify a mover’s credibility before you sign anything.
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Our mission at FreightWaves Checkpoint is to provide readers with data-driven, unbiased moving information and company reviews.
We evaluated more than 4,000 pro movers across the U.S. using our in-house ranking system. Our ratings are based on key factors like cost, customer satisfaction, and services. We also analyze thousands of online reviews to determine companies’ most common strengths and potential downsides.
We strive to deliver the information that is most relevant to your needs. Our team of experts regularly fact-checks all articles to ensure what we give you is always accurate and up-to-date.
We're Here To Help:
Why Reviews Matter & Their Limits
Reviews help you predict many things about a moving company:
- Service quality
- Timeliness
- Care with your belongings
- Communication
- Surprise charges
- Claims handling
A consistent pattern of performance and customer satisfaction across multiple platforms is more reliable than any one glowing — or angry — review. Treat reviews as one leg of a table, with licensing, service offerings, and complaint history balancing it out.
Before digging into feedback on a mover, it helps to know what can distort the big picture:
- Cherry-picking and gating: Company websites often feature only positive testimonials or request feedback in ways that filter out criticism. Balance brand pages with independent platforms like the Better Business Bureau and Yelp that do not curate outcomes.
- Incentivized reviews: Some movers offer discounts or gift cards in exchange for five-star ratings, which can inflate their scores. Instead, trust detailed, balanced reviews that describe the entire experience — from the intial quote to final delivery.
- Review-laundering: Large moving brands often work with local agents or subcontractors, so bad experiences with those partners can reflect poorly on the main company. Check if complaints mention a different brand on the truck, contract, or bill of lading.
- Hidden patterns: A 4.2-star average can still mask some serious — albeit less frequent — one-star patterns. Read recent low-star reviews to see whether the same problems keep surfacing.
Compare several sources and double-check each mover’s licensing, insurance, and complaint record before booking.
Where To Look: Trusted Sources vs. Third-Party Review Sites
The best approach blends authoritative records with real-life experiences of recent customers. Start with official sources like the FMCSA database or the Better Business Bureau, then confirm patterns on high-volume review platforms, such as Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot.
Official & Primary Sources
Start here with these more authoritative sites to confirm basic legitimacy and identity. If you cannot verify a mover here, treat any reviews—good or bad—as far less relevant.
- FMCSA/SAFER Company Snapshot (interstate moves): Confirm DOT and MC numbers, operating status, insurance on file, and years in business. Make sure company names, addresses, and phone numbers are consistent across sites.
- ProtectYourMove.gov: Review federal consumer guidance, your rights and responsibilities, and complaint resources so you know how issues should be handled.
- State regulators (local or intrastate): Many states require separate licensing. Check your state Department of Transportation, Public Utilities Commission, or Consumer Protection office for the mover’s status and any enforcement actions.
Third-Party Review Platforms
Once you’ve confirmed the basics through official sources, check that against what actual customers are saying across multiple review sites. Look for consistent themes — both the highlights and the recurring complaints.
- Google Maps: This platform offers a large number of reviews and strong recency signals. Sort by “newest” and check the lowest-star ratings to identify patterns that overall averages may hide.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB is helpful for spotting complaint patterns and evaluating how a company responds. Remember that the BBB letter grade is separate from customer review scores, so consider both indicators when assessing credibility.
- Yelp: Yelp enforces stricter moderation than many other platforms. Be sure to read “not currently recommended” reviews for added context, since moderation rules can affect which reviews are visible.
- Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, and Sitejabber: These sites provide additional perspectives from a broad user base. Take time to understand each platform’s participation model and moderation policies before judging credibility.
- Forums and social communities: Online spaces like Reddit threads and local neighborhood groups often reveal niche issues. These can include insights about specific routes, apartment buildings, or seasonal moving challenges.
How to use customer reviews: Look for consistent themes across multiple sites and focus on recent feedback from the past six to twelve months. Detailed stories about similar problems are more revealing than vague praise or generic complaints.
Verification & Official Resources
- Search a Registered Mover (FMCSA)
- SAFER Company Snapshot (USDOT/MC lookup)
- Licensing & Insurance (L&I) Carrier Search
- ProtectYourMove (FMCSA consumer portal)
- State-Level Enforcement Contacts (intrastate help)
- Your Rights & Responsibilities When You Move (PDF)
- Consumer Rights & Responsibilities (overview)
- How to File a Complaint (FMCSA)
- National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB)
- eCFR – 49 CFR Part 375 (Household Goods Consumer Protection)
- Regulations & Enforcement (HHG)
- Liability & Protection (FVP vs. Released Value)
How To Read a Review: What Really Counts
Scan each review with these criteria in mind. You are looking for verifiable details, alignment with your move type, and signs of accountability from the company.
- Check how recent it is. Focus on reviews from the past six to 12 months, especially if the company recently changed ownership or leadership. Policies and performance can shift fast.
- Look for real details. The best reviews include specifics like dates, pickup and delivery locations, inventory size, crew names, and whether the final bill matched the estimate. Mentions of weigh tickets, bills of lading, or valuation coverage usually mean the move actually happened.
- Match the move type. Make sure the review lines up with your situation — local or interstate, full-service or labor-only, apartment or house — and whether tricky access issues like long carries or shuttles were involved.
- Watch the star pattern. Check three- and four-star reviews for honest pros and cons. If you see lots of fives and ones with little in between, it might point to uneven subcontractors or a gap between sales promises and delivery.
- Read company responses. Look for thoughtful, specific replies to complaints. Generic or copy-paste responses with no resolution are red flags.
Score it: Give more weight to reviews that meet at least three of these criteria. If it only checks one box—like “Great move!”—take it with a grain of salt.
Top Red Flags Hidden in Moving Reviews
- Bait-and-switch estimates: Reports like “my quote doubled on moving day” or the "price changed after loading” suggest the estimate was not based on a reliable survey or was never binding to begin with.
- Large upfront deposits: Most interstate movers don’t ask for big deposits. If a broker wants a large, nonrefundable payment upfront, take it as a red flag—it leaves you with little leverage if your plans change.
- Broker disclosure confusion: Reviewers who only learn on moving day that they booked with a broker — not a carrier — often encounter inconsistent service from assigned partners.
- Hostage freight claims: Phrases like “they would not deliver until I paid extra” indicate potential violations. Legitimate carriers explain charges and deliver according to the bill of lading.
- Name-game tactics: Frequent “doing business as” (DBA) changes or mismatched names on trucks, paperwork, and websites can make accountability difficult.
- Insurance misrepresentation: Promises of “full coverage” that turn out to be basic released valuation ($.60 per pound for each item) show either poor training or misleading sales practices.
- Claims dead-ends: Slow responses, unreachable departments, or “mail-in only” instructions point to a process designed to discourage legitimate claims.
- Cash, Zelle, or crypto only: If a mover insists on payment methods that exclude credit cards, be cautious—it limits your ability to dispute charges and can signal shady practices.
- No survey for complex moves: If a company gives you a quick phone quote for a big home or long-distance move, that’s a warning sign. Without a virtual or in-home survey, you’re more likely to face surprise fees later.
- Extreme delivery windows: When paired with poor communication, Vague promises like “two to 14 business days” often precede frustration on delivery day.
How To Cross-Check What Reviews Say
- Confirm licensing. For interstate moves, verify the company’s DOT and MC numbers in the FMCSA’s SAFER database. For local or intrastate moves, confirm licensing with your state regulator.
- Match identities. Ensure the company name, DBA, address, and phone match across the website, contract, truck markings, and license records. Mismatches are a yellow flag that warrant more questions.
- Check insurance and complaints. Verify active insurance and scan federal and state complaint databases. Do not fixate on a single complaint; look for trends in billing, delivery windows, or damage handling.
- Call and quiz the sales rep. Ask for a binding estimate (or a not-to-exceed option), whether subcontractors will be used, how valuation coverage works, and the claims timeline. Clear, specific answers signal a mature operation.
- Get the survey. Request a virtual or in-home survey for complex moves so the estimate reflects your real inventory and access conditions.
- Compare two or three competitors. Similar inventories and similar delivery windows should produce similar quotes. An outlier that looks too good to be true usually is.
Broker vs. Carrier: How It Affects Reviews
A carrier owns their own trucks and hires their own crews, so the reviews you read usually reflect the company's actual service and claims process. Because one company handles both sales and delivery, it’s easier to judge consistency.
A broker, on the other hand, arranges moves and then assigns them to independent carriers. That means reviews often reflect the work of partners you didn’t personally choose. If you see complaints about last-minute reassignments, undisclosed subcontractors, or finger-pointing, take note and keep looking.
When you're considering moving broker vs. carrier, the wiser choice is to go directly to the source. While there are plenty of reputable brokers out there, the potential to receive shoddy service — or worse, get scammed — is much higher with brokers than carriers.
Regardless of the route you take, make sure you know exactly which company will handle your move and double-check their credentials before moving day.
Quick Checklist
Print this list now or save for it later — it'll come in handy when comparing your top two or three movers. Every item should be simple to confirm with documents, emails, or a quick call.
- ☐ Read recent reviews. Check 10-20 of the newest reviews across a few sites and look for patterns, not one-off stories.
- ☐ Look for real details. Trust reviews that mention dates, inventory, estimate vs. final cost, and how claims were handled.
- ☐ Check mid-star feedback. Three- and four-star reviews often reveal common issues like delays or extra fees.
- ☐ Verify credentials. Confirm DOT and MC numbers for interstate moves or a state license for local ones.
- ☐ Confirm insurance and coverage. Make sure the mover has active insurance and that you understand valuation coverage, deductibles, and exclusions.
- ☐ Get a real estimate. Request a binding or not-to-exceed estimate based on a virtual or in-home survey—no quick phone quotes for big moves.
- ☐ Know who’s actually moving you. Get the legal carrier name and ask if subcontractors will be involved.
- ☐ Compare fair quotes. Gather at least two similar estimates for the same items and dates to spot outliers.
- ☐ Watch payment terms. Avoid large, nonrefundable deposits or “cash/Zelle only” requests that limit your dispute options.
- ☐ Keep everything. Save your estimate, inventory, bill of lading, weigh tickets, and all emails in one place.
Our Moving Company Reviews
Browse our deep-dive, editorial reviews of major moving brands. Each review covers pricing transparency, services, licensing, and real-world customer feedback to help you choose with confidence.
FAQ
How many moving reviews should you read?
There’s no magic number — it really depends on the company’s size and reach. Big national movers often have hundreds or even thousands of reviews, so focus on patterns across platforms. For smaller local companies, a few dozen recent, detailed reviews can tell you plenty. Prioritize recency and specific details over sheer volume, and always cross-check trends on at least two sites.
What if a moving company is new and doesn't have many reviews?
New does not automatically equal bad, but you should vet more carefully. Verify licensing and insurance, ask for two to three recent references, and request a binding or not-to-exceed estimate based on a virtual or in-home survey.
Confirm who will perform the move and whether subcontractors are used. If pricing looks unusually low compared with similar quotes, ask for a written explanation of what is excluded.
Is it normal for movers to ask for a deposit?
Small, refundable scheduling deposits (or deposits that count toward your final costs) can be reasonable, especially during peak season. Be wary of large, nonrefundable deposits that reduce your leverage if pickup dates shift or service issues arise.
If a broker requires a big payment before dispatch, ask for written terms and clarify your cancellation window. Paying by credit card can preserve dispute rights if promises are not kept.
What is the difference between moving valuation coverage and insurance?
On interstate moves, valuation coverage typically pays the federally mandated minimum of $.60 per pound for per damaged item, unless you purchase full value protection, a much more comprehensive coverage plan you can typically purchase directly through your mover.
Valuation is not the same as third-party insurance, and deductibles, exclusions, and claim timelines vary by provider. Ask for the valuation option in writing, including how claims are handled and who pays. If you own high-value items, consider a rider or separate policy that matches the item’s actual value.
What should I do if something goes wrong during my move?
Document everything with photos, inventory notes, and weigh tickets as soon as an issue occurs. File a written claim within the stated deadline and keep copies of every email and form. For serious problems on interstate moves, you can also file a complaint with the FMCSA. If you paid by credit card and have a billing dispute, contact your issuer promptly and provide documentation to support your case.
