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What Movers Don't Tell You Before You Sign
This article is written as a reflection of our commitment to transparency and our goal of helping you make a more informed decision before hiring movers. Many long distance moving companies receive a high volume of complaints, not because moving is always dishonest, but because the sales process is often vague, and important details that can make or break the experience are either rushed through or not explained clearly before you sign.
Before hiring movers, there are things you need to understand:
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✔ How your long distance moving costs are being calculated.
✔ How long will your movers actually take to deliver your belongings.
✔ What happens if movers damage your furniture.
✔ Whether your load may be subcontracted to another carrier — and why.
✔ Whether your shipment will be part of a shared load or moved on a dedicated truck.
This page explains the most common things movers don’t clearly explain before you sign a contract— so you can avoid surprises, disputes, and frustration later in the long distance moving process.
What To Know Before Hiring Long Distance Movers
Before hiring long distance movers, it’s important to understand how they work. Many disputes and negative reviews happen because their estimated costs, delivery, and insurance process weren’t clearly explained before signing.
How Your Long Distance Moving Costs Are Being Calculated
Most customers assume moving costs are primarily based on distance, but in reality, they're based more on how many items you have. Long-distance movers charge you a rate based on your estimated volume, which accounts for the majority of your total costs. If your inventory is incomplete or rushed during the estimate process, your final costs can change dramatically.
Read more about this here: How Movers Calculate Long Distance Moving Costs.
Your Estimate Is Not Always A Guaranteed Price
There are two types of estimates: binding or non-binding, and the distinction matters:
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A non-binding estimate is the most common estimate, and it allows movers to change their price on or before your move date.
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A binding estimate is a guaranteed price, and your movers are not allowed to charge you more than the agreed-upon price. But there is a catch: binding estimates charge a high rate per volume, and if your inventory is inaccurate, your long distance movers can renegotiate the costs.
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If you're confident your long distance movers are giving you an accurate quote, then a non-binding estimate is okay to avoid the higher rate per volume.
Read more about this here: When Movers Can Charge More Than the Original Estimate.
An ETA Is A Delivery Window, Not A Guaranteed Date
Unlike a local move, long distance movers provide a delivery window and usually don’t guarantee a date to deliver. This is especially true for shared load moves. Customers who expect faster or guaranteed delivery dates are disappointed when this isn’t explained up front. Some brands, like American National Movers, offer guaranteed delivery and expedited shipping options, but availability varies.
Read More About This Here:
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Your Load May Be Shared or Subcontracted
Most customers assume the company they hire will handle the move from start to finish, but even carriers act as brokers to a degree. In reality, many long distance moves involve shared loads or subcontracted linehaul delivery drivers. This is because many relocation brands prefer to combine shipments to keep costs down, which may result in subcontracted delivery drivers and crews.
Read More About This Here: ATTN: 95% Of Long Distance Movers Operate As Brokers.
For long distance moves, the pickup and delivery crews are usually different. This is because the majority of long distance moving companies combine shipments, also known as shared load moving, which involves:
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Dropping off your load in a holding facility.
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Transferring your load in an 18-wheeler truck.
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Waiting for an available CDL driver to transport.
Not only can this increase your wait time for your long distance movers to deliver, but it may also result in another company delivering your household goods.
Read More About This Here: Subcontracting Issues With Long Distance Movers.
Depending on the moving company you hire, damage can occur at a rate of 5% - 18%. So if you have more than just basic furniture, you may want to consider full coverage. What most customers don’t understand is that the default moving coverage is minimal:
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With the default moving. Coverage for your items is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. Not 60 cents per the weight of your entire shipment, 60 cents per whatever your damaged item weighs. Yikes!
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With full coverage, you pay a deductible based on the coverage amount you desire. For example, if you wan’t $10,000 in coverage, your mover's insurance company may require a $400 to $1,000.00 deductible to insure your shipment for that amount.
Read More About This Here: Moving Damage, Insurance and Claims Explained.
The Cheapest Long Distance Movers Usually Come With A Trade Off
When looking for a budget-friendly long distance moving company, please remember that lower-priced movers tend to be smaller brands, have longer delivery wait times, offer limited insurance coverage, and may pose reliability issues. You don’t have to spend a fortune on movers to transport your furniture between states, but manage your expectations when hiring cheap long distance movers.
Read More About This Here: Read This Before Hiring Cheap Long Distance Movers.
Most Negative Experiences Come From Misunderstandings, Not Scams
Long distance movers might have a lot of negative reviews because they aren’t clear about delivery windows, potential price increases, and how insurance claims work. When customers understand how estimates, delivery, and coverage work before signing, disputes drop dramatically.
Read More About This Here: Why The Best Long Distance Movers Have So Many Bad Reviews.
What To Look For Before Hiring Movers
Before signing a contract or paying a deposit, take a few extra minutes to confirm the details that most moving companies gloss over. These steps won’t guarantee a perfect move — but they significantly reduce the risk of surprises later.
Before hiring long-distance movers, make sure you:
✔ Review your inventory list for accuracy
✔ Ask how your delivery window is calculated
✔ Understand whether your load may be shared or subcontracted
✔ Decide whether you need full value protection or default coverage
✔ Get all services and fees in writing
✔ Read the valuation and liability section of the contract carefully
If a mover avoids these questions or rushes you to sign, that’s usually a red flag and you should consider hiring another long distance moving company.