Step-by-step guide to finding the right moving company for you

Connecting with a trustworthy mover can be tough. These tips will help you find a moving company that's worth your time, money and trust.

Dana Yewbank

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Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Wed, January 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Professional movers wearing black overalls and red hats unload cardboard moving boxes from a moving truck, while a young couple looks on — Paying for professional movers isn't cheap, which is why it's important to make sure you're working with a company that's worth the investment

Moving is already stressful enough, but adding the pressure of finding a trustworthy moving company can make the process feel completely overwhelming. You may be concerned about theft or property damage, or maybe you've had negative experiences with movers in the past. Moving scams are also a big problem in the industry, which doesn't exactly help sow confidence.

That said, it is possible to find a reliable and reputable moving company that offers the services you need — you just have to know where (and how) to look. This guide walks through the eight steps for finding the best moving company for you, whether you're just hauling a few boxes down the street or trekking across the country.

Recommended reading from Yahoo Local:

8 steps for finding the best moving company for you

Two uniformed movers work together to move a small couch out of a moving van — The mover you hire should offer the services you need, when you need them, at a price that works for you

By following these steps, you'll connect with movers in your area that not only offer the services you're looking for but can deliver them with confidence and integrity.

1) Ask friends and family for referrals

Getting custom recommendations is always a great place to start whenever you're looking for a local services provider . Online reviews and ratings are certainly helpful, but nothing beats talking to someone you know about their personal experience with a company.

Start by asking friends, family or even coworkers if they've worked with any moving companies in the area, and if so, what their experiences were like. Getting this kind of feedback can help you gather recommendations for companies you might want to hire, and it can also help you rule out companies you definitely don't want to work with.

2) Do some online research to find the top-rated movers in your area

Next, hop online and start looking at customer reviews and ratings on platforms like Google, Yelp and Angi. If you already have some recommendations, you can start there, or you can try searching for things like "best moving companies near me" or "best movers in [your city]."

Explore some of the top results and read through reviews. Pay attention to overall ratings, as well as how many total reviews each company has. The more reviews, the better, as this provides a more accurate representation of average customer experiences.

You should also search for each business through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to check on things like accreditation status, BBB grades and customer complaints. Just keep in mind that companies have to pay for BBB accreditation , so if a company is not accredited, this isn't necessarily a reflection of the company's overall reputation.

The Yahoo Local moving hub is also an excellent place to find top-rated and vetted moving companies. Our team diligently researches moving companies across the U.S., verifies required licensing, and even connects with movers directly to source pricing details that aren't available anywhere else online.

3) Narrow down the list to movers that offer the services you're looking for

Once you have a list of some of the best movers in your area, visit each company's website to explore the specific services it offers.

Some moving companies offer a wide range of services for both short-distance and long-distance moves, while others focus exclusively on local moves. If you're moving out of state or across the country, make sure the company is equipped to help you out.

Other key service offerings to look for include packing and unpacking services, and furniture disassembly and reassembly. Some movers even offer things like home organization and staging post-move, white glove delivery and specialty moving for fragile or oversized items like pianos and hot tubs.

If you're just looking for a crew of movers to help you haul furniture or boxes from one house to another in the same city, many moving companies offer labor-only services to cover this need.

4) Verify licensing and insurance

Woman talks on the phone while holding paperwork in her left hand. She's sitting at a desk in front of a laptop, and her glasses rest on the desk to her right — Finding a mover with the proper licensing and insurance is crucial for keeping your belongings safe

Not all states require movers to be licensed, but most do. They're also typically required to carry insurance that protects customers in the event of loss or damage.

Before hiring a mover, verify that the company has proper licensing and insurance that's up to date and covers the services you're hiring them to perform. Many moving companies list their licensing and insurance information online, but you may have to reach out directly to request it. Most states also have databases that allow consumers to look up moving company licensing records.

Recommended reading from Yahoo Local: Which states require movers to be licensed?

Even if you live in a state that does not require moving companies to be licensed, your mover will need to be registered and authorized through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) if they're moving you out of state. Moving companies that operate across state lines must be registered with FMCSA, regardless of where they're located.

You can search for registered movers online through the FMCSA website .

5) Reach out to at least three moving companies to request price quotes

Now it's time to start reaching out to movers directly to request price estimates and get a feel for each company's customer service approach.

Hiring movers usually isn't cheap, and prices will vary between companies. Be wary of both low-ball estimates and unusually high rates, as these can be moving company red flags . Source at least three estimates from different companies and compare the rates and services offered between them. Going with the lowest quote isn't always the smartest choice, as companies that charge slightly more may be able to provide better service, insurance or policies. In general, moving rates shouldn't vary too dramatically among companies operating in the same area.

At the end of the day, go with a company that can work with your moving budget . Keep in mind that most moving companies require deposits for booking, so you should find out how much the down payment is before committing or signing a moving contract .

Some moving companies have online tools for requesting estimates, while others are more reachable by phone. When you request a quote, most movers will ask for a moving inventory to help them prepare an accurate estimate, and some may even want to visit your home in person (or tour it virtually) to survey your belongings.

For more, see our guide to all the information you'll need for an accurate moving quote .

6) Ask about hidden fees and charges

Moving quotes aren't always straightforward. Some movers charge by the hour, while others offer flat rates. Some charge by weight (especially for long-distance moves), while others charge by volume. You'll find movers that charge individually for every aspect of the move, and you'll likely also run into companies that offer a much simpler pricing structure that minimizes added fees.

When you get your initial quote from a mover, it's crucial to ask whether there will be any additional fees. You should also find out whether your quote is binding or non-binding , as this can have a huge impact on your final price.

Here are some examples of things a moving company might charge extra for:

Moving truck and fuel
Stairs or multi-story buildings
Heavy or oversized items
Packing and unpacking services and supplies
Drive time to and from the company's office
Moving equipment and durable packing supplies

While it's not necessarily a red flag for a mover to charge extra for the things listed above, it's worth finding out if any moving companies in your area offer a more straightforward pricing system without any upcharges. Many top-rated movers offer simplified pricing structures with minimal fees.

7) Pay attention to how each mover approaches customer service

One of the most important parts of finding the right moving company is taking note of how each company engages with you during the initial estimate process.

Are they friendly, open and willing to answer questions? Or are they cagey, impatient and short? Do you feel pressured to hire them immediately, or are they patient and willing to let you take your time? Are they happy to provide proof of licensing and insurance, or do they seem reluctant?

The answers to these questions will provide critical information to guide you in your decision-making process. Don't be afraid to trust your gut when hiring movers. If you get an uneasy feeling about your interactions with a certain company, move on to the next option on your list.

During the vetting process, you may also want to ask if the moving company conducts background checks on its moving crew members. While this may seem overkill, criminal background checks can help reduce the risk of things like theft during the moving process, which is unfortunately a common problem.

8) Make sure your preferred movers are available when you need them

Finally, you should confirm early on that the movers you're interested in hiring are available on your timeline. If you're booking during a popular month to move (like any of the summer months), you'll face a lot more competition, and you may not get the exact dates you want. This is a big reason why it's important to book a moving company as far in advance as you can.

If your preferred company isn't available on the dates you need them, ask if they have any recommendations for an alternative. Trustworthy movers are a great source of information about who else in town might be worth your business.

The mover for you should offer the right services at a fair price

A professional mover smiles while carrying a chair on his shoulder. The chair is wrapped in protective plastic, and other movers can be seen behind him carrying pillows and bedding — There are plenty of trustworthy moving companies out there, but it may take a little time and effort to connect with a company that's worth hiring

Connecting with a great moving company takes effort, but the effort is worth it. Movers have access to your home and all of your most precious belongings, so it's important to be careful and diligent as you decide who to trust with this process.

The right moving company for you will offer the services you need at a price that works for your budget. It will also be available on dates you can work around (even if you can't get your ideal dates), and the employees and movers will provide a customer service experience that leaves you feeling confident and insulated from risk.

The moving companies featured in Yahoo Local's best moving company guides (like the ones listed below) have been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team using many of the steps listed in this guide. We use a custom business ranking system to analyze thousands of ratings and reviews from multiple online platforms, check BBB accreditation and complaints, and verify licensing and insurance. We even reach out to our top picks directly to source up-to-date pricing details and confirm each company can offer a positive customer service experience. If you need a trustworthy moving company, Yahoo Local is a great place to start.

More Yahoo Local-approved U.S. movers