Your Responsibility When Hiring Out of State Movers

Aside from the rights and responsibilities page you can find on the FMCSA website, this

page outlines steps a consumer must take to ensure a successful relocation. While it is a mover's responsibility to be professional, licensed, insured and to provide a service, there are steps a consumer must take that are considered your responsibility.

What Is My Responsibility When Hiring Movers?

When hiring a long distance moving company, follow these steps below:

Giving an Accurate Inventory List

It is your responsibility to provide your movers with an accurate inventory list if you want an accurate quote. Oftentimes added charges and "hidden fees" stem from an incomplete inventory. As a consumer, if you rush the inventory process your estimated costs will be void and your movers can legally change the price.

Reviewing Your Long Distance Movers

Just because a moving company is licensed and insured does not mean they are reputable or good. As a consumer it is your responsibility to vet your movers and make sure they are trustworthy. Otherwise, if you end up hiring bad movers, you will only have yourself to blame.

Explain Your Relocation Expectations

Tell the long distance movers you hired everything you want and need upfront, prior to them arriving at your address. Do not assume every mover operates the same. If you want a guaranteed delivery, dedicated truck, storage, or additional packing services, disclose everything up front — not at the last minute.

Scheduling Your Flight or Transportation

No matter the option you choose, moving to another state can potentially come with delays. As a consumer you should prepare for this. Do not reserve a flight or any other transport for the same or next day of your move date. If things end up getting delayed in any way, you will be left paying for a hotel, a rental car, or a second flight out of pocket. Give yourself a buffer of at least a few days between your move date and any travel you book.

Accepting Delivery When The Movers Arrive

Many movers cannot commit to a certain date and may attempt to deliver within a range of dates. As a consumer it is your responsibility to inform your movers of your first available delivery date and/or be ready to accept delivery when the movers arrive. If the movers get there before you do, then you'll end up having to pay a storage-in-transit (SIT) fee.

Reading Your Estimated Contract

All of the terms and conditions regarding pick up, delivery, service inclusions and potential fees are on your contract. Before hiring movers, read the contract thoroughly to understand pricing structure and delivery windows. If you do not read the contract and are unaware of the terms, it might be too late to negotiate them.

Understanding Your Pricing Structure

Many long distance moving estimates can change based on many factors, not just your inventory list. As a consumer you must understand how your estimate type works. A binding estimate locks your price. A non-binding estimate can move with the actual weight or cubic footage of your shipment — though federal rules cap what a mover can collect at delivery at 110% of a non-binding estimate, with any remaining balance billed to you within 30 days. That's why it's important to prepare for potential price increases. However, if your mover is experienced and reliable, the price increase shouldn't be significant.