10 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interstate Moving Company

1. Are You a Licensed Interstate Mover or a Moving Broker?

Reliable Movers is a federally authorized interstate household goods carrier. We are NOT brokers.

It’s my guys and my trucks completing your move. We do not sell your job to another company or sell your personal information.

Brokers are not movers. Some give lowball quotes to collect deposits and then sell your move to another company. Once that mover reassesses your inventory, your price can double or triple.

Your belongings may sit in a warehouse for days or weeks waiting to be combined with other shipments. Different companies may handle your furniture, increasing the risk of damage, missing items, and exposure to other households’ belongings.

At Reliable Movers, the same crew and truck pick up and deliver your belongings. We don’t subcontract your move.

My crew. My trucks. My responsibility from pickup to delivery.

Learn more: Our Insurance and Licenses

2. What Insurance and Liability Coverage Do You Offer?

Every interstate mover must offer valuation coverage. You need to understand what you are signing before your furniture is loaded.

Basic released-value protection is limited to $0.60 per pound per article. If a 100-pound dresser is damaged, the carrier’s liability may be limited to $60.

Full-value protection is also available. At Reliable Movers, the minimum declared shipment value is based on $6.00 per pound, with a $6,000 minimum and a $500 deductible under our full-value protection option.

The coverage you select, applicable charges, and terms are explained in your moving paperwork. Full-value protection is not the same as the basic coverage offered at no additional charge.

Know your coverage before you sign your moving contract.

3. What Are Your Rates, and How Do You Charge?

Reliable Movers offers written binding flat-rate estimates for interstate moves.

Our pricing is based on the size of your shipment, the distance traveled, truck space, labor, and conditions at pickup and delivery.

Your estimate includes our truck, professional labor, fuel, furniture disassembly and reassembly, furniture padding, shrink wrapping, and standard loading and unloading.

Your price from Point A to Point B is guaranteed based on the agreed inventory, services, and moving conditions. If changes are needed, we address them before loading rather than surprising you at delivery.

4. How Do You Handle Lost or Damaged Furniture?

We move furniture every day. Our crews pad, wrap, load, and secure furniture inside our trucks. Even with experienced movers, accidents can happen.

If an item is lost or damaged, the customer must report it and file a claim. Claims are handled according to the valuation coverage selected and the moving contract.

Interstate claims involving our full-value protection arrangement are submitted to our cargo insurance provider.

Payment for moving services cannot be withheld or reduced because of a damage claim. Claims must be handled separately.

We take responsibility for our work and follow the claims process outlined in your contract.

5. How Long Does It Take to Receive an Estimate?

That depends on the size of your household and how much information you provide.

For smaller interstate moves, we can often start with a detailed furniture inventory and pictures.

For larger households, I recommend an in-home walkthrough to determine how much furniture, how many boxes, and what size truck will be needed.

The more accurate your inventory, the more accurate your estimate.

You deal directly with me, Jen. I run the office, handle estimates, coordinate scheduling, and manage our moving crews. You’re not passed from one salesperson to another.

6. Do You Provide Binding Estimates and Guaranteed Delivery?

Yes. Reliable Movers provides written binding flat-rate interstate estimates.

Your price is guaranteed for the agreed inventory, services, and pickup and delivery conditions.

We also guarantee your scheduled delivery, subject to weather, traffic, and federal hours-of-service regulations governing how long our drivers can legally operate.

We do not leave your furniture sitting in a warehouse for weeks waiting to fill another truck.

The same crew and truck that load your belongings deliver them.

Learn more: Our Interstate Moving Services

7. What Are Your References and Experience?

Reliable Movers has been in business since 1996 and performing interstate moves since 2007.

We have over 500 Google reviews. Our reviews are real. They’re not bought, traded, or fabricated.

Be cautious of moving companies that have only been in business a short time but have an unusually large number of perfect five-star reviews. Read the reviews carefully and look at the company’s history.

You’re not going to please every customer. That’s the reality of running a moving company. We encourage people to read our reviews, including how we respond when something doesn’t go as planned.

Many of our crew members have worked with us for years. We don’t hire random day laborers or subcontract your interstate shipment.

Read our customer reviews.

8. What Additional Services Do You Offer?

Reliable Movers offers professional packing, climate-controlled storage, specialty-item moving, and additional pickup or delivery stops.

• Packing: $28 per box, including the box, materials, and labor.
• Wardrobe boxes: $32 each.
• Climate-controlled storage: Starting at $200 per month, depending on the space required.
• Specialty items: Pianos, gun safes, and other heavy items are priced according to the item and access conditions.
• Additional stops: Quoted based on the route and services needed.

All requested services and applicable charges are discussed before finalizing your estimate.

There are no hidden fees.

9. Do You Offer Any Discounts?

We price interstate moves based on the actual shipment, distance, equipment, labor, and delivery requirements.

Sometimes we can combine compatible moving routes to save customers money. This requires flexibility with pickup and delivery scheduling.

If you want a dedicated truck with a specific delivery schedule, we can quote that option as well.

We focus on giving you an accurate price upfront instead of advertising a discount and adding fees later.

10. What Is Your Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy?

Reliable Movers requires a $500 nonrefundable deposit to reserve an interstate moving date.

Your deposit reserves the truck, equipment, and crew for your scheduled move.

If you need to reschedule, your deposit may be credited toward a new moving date within 60 days, subject to availability and the terms of your reservation.

Our written contract explains the cancellation and rescheduling terms.

Always understand a moving company’s deposit policy before booking.