You should always hire a moving carrier over a moving broker. A moving carrier is a company that handles your move directly from start to finish. You work with their team, their trucks, and their schedule. A moving broker is a middleman that takes your booking and then hires another company to handle the actual move, but you might not always be informed of which company the broker selects.
Colonial Van Lines
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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What Is a Moving Broker?
Rather than handling moves themselves, moving brokers act as a middleman between you and a network of moving carriers. Some of the largest brokers have thousands of carriers in their network, which lets them handle a wide variety of moves across the country. This also allows brokers to offer a wider range of services than you might get with an individual carrier. For example, you can usually add car shipping and temporary storage with a broker, while you might not be able to do that with a local carrier.
Brokers can sometimes get lower prices than if you worked directly with a carrier. However, the service quality can vary quite a bit depending on the partner carrier the broker uses for your move. The broker never actually handles your belongings, their partners do. There also tends to be a higher risk of scams with shady brokers, who might offer a lowball estimate and then charge additional fees when the carrier comes to pick up your stuff.
What Is a Moving Carrier?
A moving carrier is a moving company with its own in-house professional movers, as well as its own fleet of moving trucks that it uses for customer moves. The company that you book your move with is the same company that will handle your items on moving day and transport them in the moving truck.
Working directly with a moving carrier can sometimes be more expensive than using a broker, but it can also provide a more consistent experience. You’re much less likely to have miscommunications and other costly mishaps, since you’re working with the same in-house team the entire time, and they know their work will affect their reputation.
It’s also worth noting that some larger national van lines who act as carriers, like Colonial Van Lines and Allied Van Lines, also partner with local movers for more widespread availability. This isn’t the same as being a broker. While the van line handles the cross-country transportation itself, their partners handle pickup and drop-off.
Moving Broker vs. Carrier: Key Differences
| Moving Carrier | Moving Broker | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal license | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moving truck fleet | ✓ | ✗ |
| In-house moving crews | ✓ | ✗ |
| Third-party mover network | ✗ (partners with vetted local movers in network) | ✓ |
How To Spot a Moving Broker vs. Carrier
Spotting the difference between a broker and a carrier isn’t always easy. Some moving companies even operate as both a carrier and a broker, and most aren’t going to say on their website if they’re one or the other. However, a broker’s website may mention that they work with “thousands of nationwide partners” to manage your move.
The easiest solution is to look up the companies you’re interested in on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. All companies, both brokers and carriers, require proper licensing and registration with the FMCSA. Their database listing will tell you whether they are a carrier, broker, or both.
Should You Hire a Moving Broker or Carrier?
While brokers can be a good fit for some situations, we’ve found that carriers are a better choice for both local and long-distance moves. This mostly comes down to dependability and accountability.
With a carrier, you have a single point of contact for your move to avoid miscommunications. The same company that you use to book your move is also responsible for transporting your belongings, so there’s more accountability to do a good job. And while working directly with a carrier can be a little pricier at times, you usually have a much lower risk of unexpected price increases or other scams.
Because brokers work with such a big network to manage their moves, the quality of service you get can vary widely. And some shady brokers will even take your deposit and then never send a moving truck.
That being said, there are a couple of situations where using a trustworthy broker may suffice. For example, if your local carriers don’t offer all the services you need (like car shipping or climate-controlled storage), a broker can usually provide that through their network.
Consider the needs of your move, and always research the moving companies you’re interested in to make sure they’re legitimate. This way, you can get a good moving experience with either a broker or carrier.
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Colonial Van Lines
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Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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FAQ
Why do some moving brokers have a bad reputation?
Some brokers have a bad reputation because of the potential for moving scams. One common scam tactic among shady brokers is to take your deposit and then never actually book your move with a carrier. Another common scam is to offer a lowball estimate, but then surprise you with a sudden price hike when the carrier shows up. In other instances, brokers get a bad reputation by working with unvetted and unprofessional carriers. You can reduce your risk for moving broker scams by checking online reviews and verifying their FMCSA license status.
Are moving brokers cheaper than carriers?
Moving brokers can be cheaper than carriers, since they can shop around within their carrier network to find the best price for the move. However, their own commission is also added to your moving costs, which can sometimes make them pricier than working directly with a carrier. Because of this, it is best to get moving quotes from at least three reputable brokers and/or carriers to find the best deal for your move. You can start by using our free moving cost calculator.
What things should I look for when hiring a mover?
Regardless of whether you work with a broker or carrier, you can reduce your risk of scams by making sure they are properly licensed, and by checking online reviews. Look for movers with a strong industry history and online presence. You should also make sure you get a written estimate when you request a quote, with clearly outlined pricing and fee explanations. This helps you avoid unwanted pricing surprises later. Read our full guide to learn more about the different types of movers.
Who is the most reliable moving carrier?
Our pick for the most reliable moving carrier is Colonial Van Lines. Their competitive pricing on long-distance moves, climate controlled storage options, and network of dependable local partners with a strong service reputation make them a good pick for many moves. We also like Allied Van Lines for their professional in-house moving crews, and American Van Lines for their flat-rate pricing and ability to handle specialty items like antiques and pianos.
