Search and Find

Moving in Austin Texas?

Finding a Mover

Finding the right mover is an important piece of the new home-buying puzzle.  Remember, these people are moving your life, including irreplaceable photos and memories from one place to another, so you want to make sure you find a reputable business.  Using the following rules should help you in this process:

Find multiple movers and compare prices and services, it always pays to negotiate from a position of power, and if you have options, you can do that.

The DO’s

1. Try to find companies that have been in business for a while (10 years if possible)
2. Find movers with offices in your area, so you can address issues face-to-face
3. DO NOT hire a moving broker. Consumer protection laws apply to Motor Carriers only, not to Household Goods Brokers.
4. A potential moving company should come to your house and assess a proper estimate; do not accept an over-the-phone or generic estimate.
5. Find out if the company will sub-contract the move. Hire a company that does the move itself. You want to be negotiating with the people who will be responsible for your possessions.
6. Understand the pricing. Does it include insurance, for example. It’s hard to compare without understanding the basis of the estimation.
7. Find out everything you can about the company.  Name, record, recommendations, DOT and MC license numbers, all possible contact info virtual and physical.

The NEVER DO’s

1. NEVER sign blank paperwork.
2. NEVER sign a contract you don’t understand. It’s ok to make the company wait.
3. NEVER accept a valuation based on cubic feet.

Other Resources

Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move:
http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/rights/rights.htm
(All companies should provide you this information, consider it a red flag if they don’t.)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) web site:
http://www.safersys.org/
(Use a company’s DOT and MC license #’s to check their license and insurance information.)

Better Business Bureau web site:
http://search.bbb.org/searchform.aspx