Certified moving companies must have a U.S. UU. It is always recommended to work with a certified moving company. To confirm the credentials of a moving company claiming to be certified, visit this DOT site and choose “carrier search.” In addition to the technical aspects of licensing and insurance, consumers should use common sense when hiring a moving company.
Be aware of whether or not the carriers are true professionals. Do you have a real office and company email address? Is the moving company part of an accredited line of vans. Do they wear uniforms and drive professional moving trucks? Have you been provided with an official bill of lading? Is the estimate too good to be true? Do you have an official business license? If your gut tells you something is wrong, listen. A good way to find out if your moving company is legitimate is to check if you are a certified American Trucking Association Promoter.
The PromoVar program is designed to identify “dishonest moving companies”, giving customers a clear indicator of which companies are professional and reputable interstate moving companies. Before hiring a moving company, first check our truck stop, the database that can tell you if a company is licensed by TxDMV. A Texas licensed moving company will have an active TxDMV certificate number on file. That's why PromoVar's status clearly separates professional traders from dishonest traders posing as legitimate promoters.
A licensed moving company will not charge additional fees after signing the contract, unless both agree with them in writing. Some companies do this step a little differently, and others even do it over the phone in special cases. Unlicensed moving companies generally don't have a local business address, use cell phones as business phones, or answer the phone with vague terms like moving or moving companies. With every move, she mastered the art of folding bankers' boxes, reusing bubble wrap and shamelessly asking for directions.
The Better Business Bureau has more than 1,300 moving companies with an “F” rating due to unresolved complaints. Think about insurance, hiring a driver, renting a truck, hiring a car transport service, renting a storage unit or a team of professionals who will make the actual move. And no matter what your reasons for moving, you should check the license of a service provider you plan to hire. But rest assured, in most cases, quality moving companies won't require a deposit when you book your move.
Some moving companies look legit online, but they are actually professional scammers who don't move, steal belongings in the process, or overcharge for their services. The moving company has 90 days from the receipt of a claim to pay, refuse to pay or make a firm written settlement offer to the claimant. Some licensed moving companies may offer to prepare a descriptive inventory of your items for an additional cost. If you're going to disburse the money for a moving company, it's your responsibility to make sure the moving company is legitimate.