Review desk · INTERVIEW 06
Questions to ask a long-distance mover before paying a deposit
Interview long-distance movers about legal identity, carrier or broker role, surveys, estimates, crews, handoffs, delivery, payment, valuation, and claims.
Review standard
Federal record + written contract
Checked September 2026
Bottom line
The best questions force the seller to name the company, document the scope, and explain custody. Save the written answers and compare them with the contract.
- Identity
- Who sells and who hauls?
- Price
- What can change it?
- Custody
- Can goods transfer or store?
- Problem path
- Who owns claims and updates?
Questions 1–4: establish legal identity
Ask: What is your legal name? What are your USDOT and MC numbers? Are you acting as the carrier or a broker? Which legal company is expected to appear on the bill of lading and transport the shipment? These questions turn a sales conversation into a set of verifiable entities.
If the seller is a broker, ask for its written carrier list and when the actual carrier will be assigned. If the seller uses agents, ask which company conducts the survey, employs the crew, controls dispatch, and handles a claim.
Questions 5–9: pressure-test the estimate
Ask: Will you perform an in-person or live-video survey? Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed? Which inventory and services are included? What facts could change the price? How must a revision be approved before loading? Request answers on the estimate rather than in a separate sales text.
Describe both properties accurately. Stairs, elevators, long carries, restricted truck access, storage, packing, and bulky items belong in the price discussion before the crew arrives.
Evidence to retain
- Every room, garage, attic, patio, and storage unit surveyed
- Pickup and delivery access shown in writing
- Valuation option selected rather than assumed
- Deposit amount, refund terms, and accepted payment documented
Compare the route before the sales calls
See a modeled cost range first, then use this review file on every company you interview.
- No email required to see your route's cost range
- Verify every provider's USDOT number before hiring
- Your estimate is yours to keep either way
Prefer to talk it through? Call (561) 220-0117, free, no obligation.
Questions 10–13: trace custody and schedule
Ask: Will the shipment remain on one truck? Can it be consolidated, transferred, or stored? Who provides pickup and delivery updates? What happens if the truck cannot access either property or misses the building's reserved window? The goal is not to demand an unrealistic guarantee; it is to reveal the expected handoffs.
Request the pickup and delivery windows in writing and ask what events can change them. Keep an alternate contact on file, but do not release documents, payment authority, or delivery control without clear limits.
Questions 14–17: rehearse a problem before one exists
Ask: Where do I file a written loss-or-damage claim? What dispute or arbitration program do you provide? Who should I contact for a price or delivery dispute? Which documents will I receive before loading? A company should be able to provide the process without treating the question as an accusation.
FMCSA says interstate movers and brokers must provide the federal rights booklet and Ready to Move brochure. Read them before signing. The interview is complete only when the written documents tell the same story as the salesperson.
Questions on this check
Frequently asked questions
FMCSA advises getting written estimates from several movers and comparing them. Use the same inventory and access facts for each so the totals describe the same job.
Primary sources
Federal guidance can change. Open the current source before making a hiring or dispute decision.
Price the move, then audit the company
Start with your route and home size. Contact details remain optional until you request quotes.
Or call Call (561) 220-0117, no email required to see your number.