How to Find the Best Moving Company (and Avoid Getting Scammed): 8 Checks That Work

ByBNW Staff

Hiring a mover is a trust exercise.

You hand strangers the keys to everything you own. Then you watch them drive away with it.

Most moves go fine. But the Better Business Bureau logged more than 100,000 inquiries and 718 complaints about movers in 2024, with an average loss of $754 per reported incident, according to AARP’s review of BBB data. And experts say most moving fraud never gets reported at all.

The good news? You can spot most bad movers before you sign anything.

In this guide, I’ll show you the 8 checks I’d run before hiring any mover. Plus, what a fair price looks like, and the red flags that mean you should walk away.

Let’s get into it.

First: What Should a Local Move Cost?

You can’t spot a bad quote if you don’t know what a normal one looks like.

HireAHelper, which bases its figures on more than 1 million completed moves, reports these 2025 national averages for local full-service moves:

Home Size Crew Time Average Cost
1-bedroom apartment 2 movers 4 hours $788
All local full-service moves Varies Varies $1,168
4-bedroom house 3 movers 6 hours $1,680

Prefer to drive the truck yourself? Labor-only moves (loading and unloading) averaged $452.

Bottom line: A local quote wildly below these ranges is not a deal. It’s a warning.

Check #1: Verify the License

This is the big one.

Movers that cross state lines need a U.S. DOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

But here’s what many people miss: moves within a state often have their own rules.

In North Carolina, for example, any mover hauling household goods within the state must hold a certificate from the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). You can check a mover’s status on the NCUC’s published list or by calling the Public Staff at 919-733-7766.

No certificate? No hire.

Check #2: Confirm the Insurance

Licensing and insurance go together.

North Carolina requires certificated movers to carry at least $50,000 in cargo insurance. If your belongings are worth more, ask the mover for written proof of additional coverage.

Pro Tip: Ask for the insurance certificate before moving day. A legitimate company sends it without hesitation.

Check #3: Get an In-Home or Video Estimate

A mover who quotes over the phone without seeing your stuff is guessing.

Or worse, lowballing on purpose.

Rogue movers use cheap phone quotes to win the job. Then the price jumps once your furniture is on their truck. AARP calls these “hostage loads,” and in some cases the price has climbed by thousands of dollars after loading.

Insist on a walk-through, in person or by video.

Check #4: Look for a Real Address

Search the company’s address on a map.

Is it a warehouse with trucks outside? Great.

Is it a UPS Store mailbox or a residential apartment? Keep looking.

A missing physical address on the website is one of the most common red flags experts cite.

Check #5: Watch Out for Big Deposits

Reputable local movers rarely demand large upfront deposits.

A classic scam: collect a hefty deposit, then never show up.

If a deposit is required, keep it small and pay by credit card, which gives you dispute protection that cash and wire transfers don’t.

Check #6: Check the Trucks

Branded trucks are a good sign.

A company that shows up in an unmarked rental truck, when it promised company equipment, deserves hard questions.

Check #7: Read the Paperwork Before You Sign

Never sign a blank or incomplete form. Ever.

Before moving day, you should have in writing:

  • The estimate type and total
  • The pickup and delivery dates
  • The valuation (protection) option you chose
  • How extra charges are calculated

Check #8: Know Your Claim Deadline

Things break. It happens.

In North Carolina, claims should be filed with the mover as soon as possible and no later than nine months after delivery, according to the NCUC. Keep damaged items and their packing materials as evidence.

If you and the mover can’t resolve it, the NCUC’s Public Staff Transportation Rates Division can help.

Red Flags Cheat Sheet

Walk away if you see:

  • ❌ No state certificate or DOT number
  • ❌ Phone-only estimate
  • ❌ Large cash or wire deposit
  • ❌ No physical address
  • ❌ Unmarked rental trucks
  • ❌ Blank forms to sign
  • ❌ Price far below local averages

Putting It to Work in Greenville, NC

Greenville has frequent moves tied to East Carolina University, ECU Health and the wider Pitt County job and rental markets. That makes it especially important to verify a mover before paying a deposit or signing an agreement.

Start with the North Carolina Utilities Commission. For an intrastate household move, check whether the company appears on the state’s list of certificated household-goods carriers. Match the legal name, trade name and certificate number with the company you are considering.

This is a useful first check when comparing the best moving company Greenville NC options. For example, the state list identifies AWM EST 2009 Inc., d/b/a All Ways Moving, under certificate C-2623. That establishes a verifiable connection between the business name and the state’s carrier records.

Do the same check for every mover on your shortlist.

After confirming the carrier, compare the written estimate with the actual move. Look for charges involving stairs, travel time, packing materials, bulky items, long carries and storage. Confirm who will perform the move and what happens if the final cost differs from the estimate.

For apartment moves, also check loading rules, elevator reservations and parking access before moving day. These details can affect both timing and cost.

Finally, keep the estimate, service agreement, inventory and receipts. Take photos of valuable furniture before loading. These records are important if you later need to question a charge or document damage.

A state certificate is only the first check. Licensing, written pricing, clear terms and complete records should all be reviewed before hiring a Greenville mover.

The Bottom Line

The best moving company isn’t always the cheapest or the first ad you see.

It’s the one that:

  1. Holds the right license
  2. Carries real insurance
  3. Sees your stuff before quoting
  4. Puts everything in writing

Run these 8 checks before moving, and you’ll know who you’re handing your keys to.