Questions to ask movers before signing
Use these questions to identify who is selling and transporting the move, what the estimate actually covers, and which terms still need a written answer.
Build my written request12 questions—and the evidence to request
Ask every company the same material questions. A helpful reply points to the written estimate, inventory, tariff or rate document, bill of lading, or revision instead of asking you to rely on memory.
What role does your company have?
What written evidence to request: A written statement identifying the company as the carrier, broker, or agent, plus the legal or trade name used on the estimate.
When the answer is vague: Which company will physically transport the shipment, and when will I receive that company’s name and identifiers in writing?
Who will transport the shipment?
What written evidence to request: The expected carrier’s legal name and USDOT or MC number when applicable, not only the seller’s brand name.
When the answer is vague: Has a carrier been assigned? If not, when and how will I be told who accepts the move?
What type of estimate is this?
What written evidence to request: The words binding, non-binding, or another permitted form on the estimate itself.
When the answer is vague: Which exact section states the estimate type, and what written conditions can change the amount?
How was the shipment surveyed?
What written evidence to request: The itemized inventory or survey record used to prepare the estimate.
When the answer is vague: May I review and correct the inventory before comparing or signing the estimate?
What work does the total include?
What written evidence to request: The listed packing, loading, transportation, storage, access, and third-party services.
When the answer is vague: Please mark each service included, conditional, excluded, or not applicable.
Which conditions can add a charge?
What written evidence to request: The written trigger, unit or rate, and calculation method for stairs, shuttle, long carry, packing, storage, or specialty items.
When the answer is vague: If the amount is not known yet, what document or tariff sets the rate?
What quantity or pricing basis is used?
What written evidence to request: The stated weight, volume, time, distance, flat amount, or other basis and any written formula that applies.
When the answer is vague: How will the final quantity be documented, and which written rate will be applied?
What valuation option is recorded?
What written evidence to request: The liability or valuation selection and its terms, separate from the transportation price.
When the answer is vague: Where will my selection appear, and when may I review the option before signing?
What does the deposit secure?
What written evidence to request: The amount, payment recipient, dated receipt, and written cancellation and refund terms.
When the answer is vague: Who keeps the deposit if the carrier, dates, or shipment details change?
What pickup and delivery commitment is written?
What written evidence to request: The agreed date or period and whether the service is described as guaranteed or non-guaranteed.
When the answer is vague: Which document controls if the estimate and bill of lading use different timing language?
How will a change be documented?
What written evidence to request: A revised written estimate or other dated revision that identifies the changed item, service, quantity, and amount before loading.
When the answer is vague: May I keep both versions and review the change before agreeing?
Which completed copies will I receive?
What written evidence to request: Completed, dated copies of the estimate, inventory, bill of lading, valuation selection, receipts, and written revisions.
When the answer is vague: Can I receive each completed copy before I sign or the shipment is loaded?
Build the questions for where you are now.
Choose three facts. The builder adds the relevant identity, scope, payment, or loading questions and formats them as one request.
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Your written request
Send the same request to each company you are comparing. Keep the written response with the estimate and any revision.
Written questions about my move Please confirm whether this move is interstate or within one state, and identify the rules and tariff or rate document that apply. Please answer each question in writing and identify the document or page that supports the answer. If a charge or condition does not apply, please state that in writing rather than leaving it blank. 1. What legal or trade name will appear on the written estimate and bill of lading? 2. What inventory, pickup and delivery locations, dates, and requested services does the written estimate cover? 3. Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or another permitted form, and where is that stated on the document? 4. Which packing, access, storage, shuttle, long-carry, stair, elevator, or specialty-item services are included, conditional, excluded, or still unpriced? 5. What valuation or liability option is shown, and where is my selection recorded? 6. What written condition could change the total, and how would each added charge be calculated? 7. Is your company acting as a carrier, broker, or agent for this move, and where is that role disclosed in writing? 8. If another carrier will transport the shipment, when will I receive its legal name and identifiers in writing? 9. How was the shipment inventory established, and may I review the itemized inventory before comparing this quote? 10. What pricing basis and quantity does the estimate use, and what written rate or formula applies? 11. What cancellation terms and payment methods are stated in the written estimate? I will keep your answers with the original estimate and any later revision.
Primary sources and scope
The question set is informed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Questions for Movers, its Moving Checklist, and the current interstate written-estimate requirements in 49 CFR 375.401.
This is general information, not legal advice. The federal sources concern covered interstate household-goods moves. State and local rules can differ. The questions do not determine whether a mover is trustworthy, whether a term is lawful, or what a move should cost.
Questions about asking movers questions
What should I ask a moving company before signing?
Ask who will transport the shipment, what the written estimate covers, which charges can change, what valuation option is recorded, what the deposit and cancellation terms say, and how later changes will be documented.
What should I ask before paying a moving deposit?
Ask who receives the payment, what the deposit secures, whether a carrier is assigned, what cancellation and refund terms apply, and whether you will receive a dated receipt.
Should a mover answer in writing?
A written answer can be kept with the estimate and later revisions. Ask the company to identify the document or page supporting each material answer rather than relying only on a phone conversation.
Do federal interstate moving rules apply to every move?
No. Federal household-goods rules apply to covered interstate moves. A move within one state can follow different state and local rules, so first confirm the route and applicable regulator.