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. Often times added charges and "hidden fees" stem from an incomplete inventory. As a consumer, if you rush the inventory process your estimated cost will be void and your movers can legally revise the price based on what is actually there on move day. You can check how exposed your own quote is with our moving quote increase risk tool. Walk every room, open every closet, and do not forget the garage, the attic, the basement or anything sitting in storage.

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. Check their USDOT and MC numbers, read reviews across more than one site, learn the red flags to look for in movers, and ask directly whether the company is a carrier or a broker. Taking twenty minutes to do this upfront can save you from a move that goes wrong from day one.

Explaining 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 date on a dedicated truck, storage, or additional packing services, disclose everything upfront and not at the last minute. A crew that shows up expecting a standard load cannot always accommodate a request made the morning of pick up.

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 as your move date. If things end up getting delayed in any way, you will be left paying to rebook your travel, covering hotel nights you did not budget for, or arriving at your new address days before your shipment does. Build in a buffer of a few days on both ends and book tickets you are able to change if you have that option.

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 be ready to accept delivery when the movers arrive. If the movers get there and you are not available to receive your shipment, you will end up paying a storage in transit fee along with any additional charges that come with a second delivery attempt.

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, go through our long distance moving resources and read your contract thoroughly to understand the 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 once your items are already on the truck.

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 that no price is guaranteed, especially if your estimate is non binding rather than a flat rate. That is why it is important to prepare for potential price increases. Under FMCSA rules, on a non binding estimate you are only required to pay up to 110 percent of the estimated amount at the time of delivery, and the remaining balance is billed to you afterward. However, if your mover is experienced and reliable the price increase should not be significant.

Preparing Your Home Before Pick Up

The crew can only work as fast as the home allows. Have your boxes packed and sealed before the truck arrives unless you paid for packing services, and use our box calculator if you are not sure how many supplies you need. Clear the hallways, reserve parking if you are in a city, and let the movers know ahead of time about stairs, elevators or a narrow street that may require a shuttle. These conditions affect your price and your timeline, and disclosing them early is your responsibility, not something the crew should discover on arrival.

Setting Aside Your Valuables And Documents

Jewelry, cash, medication, passports, birth certificates and small electronics should travel with you, not on the truck. Most movers will not accept liability for high value items unless they are declared in writing before pick up. Separate these items and keep them out of the loading area so they do not get packed by mistake.

Staying Reachable Throughout The Move

Once your shipment is on the road, your movers need to be able to reach you to confirm delivery timing. Answer your phone, respond to messages, and if your number or address changes at any point during the move, notify the company immediately. A large portion of delivery problems come down to a customer the carrier could not get in touch with.

Hiring Movers You Can Rely On

Doing your part does not replace hiring the right company, it works alongside it. A good mover will walk you through the inventory, explain the pricing structure before you sign, and tell you honestly what the delivery window looks like. If a company is not willing to do that, no amount of preparation on your end will fix the move.

American National Movers is a licensed interstate carrier and broker operating under FMCSA authority. If you are planning an out of state relocation and want your estimate and your responsibilities explained clearly before you commit to anything, call us at 1-800-936-3086, get a quote by text or email, or book your move online.