How to Hire Movers in 2026: A Homeowner's Guide

Quick answer: To hire good movers in 2026, get at least three written in-home or video quotes, confirm the company is properly registered (for interstate moves, check its USDOT number in the federal SAFER database), read recent reviews, and refuse any mover that demands a large cash deposit up front. Then book in writing. You can post your move on Qiggz for free and message local moving pros directly, with no lead fees on their side.

Moving is stressful enough without wondering whether the crew will show up, or whether your couch arrives in one piece. The industry attracts its share of bad actors, from "rogue" outfits that hold your belongings hostage for a bigger payment to lowball quotes that balloon on moving day.

The good news: a few hours of homework filters out almost all of the risk. The movers who earn five-star reviews are not hiding. You just have to know what to look for, what to verify yourself, and which warning signs mean walk away. Here is how to find, vet, and hire movers you can trust.

Step 1: Figure out what kind of move you have

Before you call anyone, get clear on the job. The type of move changes who you should hire and what rules apply.

Local move (within your state). Usually priced by the hour, based on crew size and time. Local movers are regulated by your state, not the federal government.
Long-distance or interstate move (across state lines). Usually priced by the weight of your shipment and the distance. Interstate movers must be federally registered, which gives you a verification tool (more below).
Full-service vs labor-only. Full-service movers pack, load, drive, and unload. "Labor-only" crews load and unload a truck or container you provide. Be clear which you want, because the quotes are not comparable otherwise.

Write down your move date, home size, anything heavy or specialty (piano, gun safe, treadmill), and whether you need packing. You will hand this same list to every company, so their quotes line up.

Step 2: Build a shortlist of local pros

Start with names you can actually check.

Ask people you trust. A neighbor or coworker who just moved is the fastest source of a real recommendation, including the parts that never make it into a review.
Read recent reviews across more than one site. Look for a pattern over the last several months, not a single glowing or angry post, and note how the company responds to complaints.
Favor established, local companies. A real local address, a branded truck, and a few years of history are good signs. Be cautious with a "company" that is only a web form and a cell phone.
Post your move and let pros come to you. On Qiggz, you describe the job once and local moving pros reach out, so you can compare them and message them directly before committing.

Aim for at least three companies to quote. One quote gives you no way to know whether a price is fair.

Step 3: Verify licensing, insurance, and the USDOT number yourself

This is the step that separates a safe move from a gamble, and the one most people skip. Do not take a company's word for any of it. Verify it from the source.

For interstate (cross-state) moves: check the USDOT number. Any company that moves household goods across state lines must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry a USDOT number. A legitimate interstate mover lists this number on its website and trucks. Take that number and look it up yourself in the FMCSA's free SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) system or mover search tool. Confirm the company is active and specifically authorized to transport household goods, not just registered as a carrier. The two are not the same.

For local (in-state) moves: check your state's rules. Licensing for local movers is set at the state level, so there is no single national rule. Some states require movers to register or license with a state agency (often the transportation or utilities regulator). Look up your state's requirements and confirm the company meets them.

Insurance and valuation, either way. Ask whether the mover carries liability and workers' compensation coverage, and what "valuation" protection is included. Federal rules require interstate movers to offer a basic level of liability, but basic coverage is often calculated by weight and may pay only a fraction of replacement value. For anything valuable, ask about full-value protection or check your homeowner's or renter's policy.

When in doubt, call the relevant agency. A short verification call is cheaper than discovering on moving day that your mover is uninsured.

Step 4: Get written, itemized quotes (and an in-home or video survey)

A trustworthy mover wants to see what they are moving before quoting, so be wary of any price quoted sight unseen over the phone.

Insist on a visual survey. A walkthrough, in person or by video, lets the mover give an accurate estimate and lets you gauge how professional they are.
Get it in writing, itemized. Labor, truck, mileage or weight, packing materials, stairs, long carries, and surcharges should all be spelled out. A vague one-line price is a red flag.
Understand the estimate type. For interstate moves, ask whether it is "binding" (price holds if the inventory does), "non-binding" (final cost is based on actual weight and can change), or "binding not-to-exceed" (you pay the estimate or less).

Compare quotes on what is actually included, not just the bottom number. The cheapest line can hide a thin scope that adds charges later.

Red flags that mean walk away

Some warning signs are strong enough to end the conversation on their own:

A large deposit demand, especially in cash, gift cards, or wire transfer. Reputable movers typically do not require a big upfront cash deposit. Demanding one, or insisting on hard-to-trace payment, is a classic deposit-scam signal.
No in-home or video survey, plus a suspiciously low quote. A lowball estimate with no walkthrough often becomes a much higher bill once your belongings are on the truck.
No USDOT number for an interstate move, or one that does not check out in the FMCSA system.
A blank or "to be filled in later" contract. Never sign incomplete paperwork.
No physical address, a recently changed name, or pressure to "book today" for a special price.

If two or more of these show up together, keep looking. Plenty of honest movers are competing for your business.

Questions to ask before you book

Bring this list to every quote so you can compare answers, not just prices:

Are you licensed for this type of move, and what is your USDOT number (for interstate)?
Do you carry liability and workers' compensation insurance, and what valuation protection is included?
Is this a binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed estimate?
Is the crew your own employees, or do you subcontract or broker the job out?
What is your deposit and payment policy, and which payment methods do you accept?
How do you handle damage claims, and what is the timeline?
Can you share references or recent reviews from moves like mine?

A confident, established mover answers these without hesitation. Dodging them is itself an answer.

What drives the cost of a move

Moving prices vary widely by region, season, distance, and how much you are moving, so treat any figure as a ballpark and get real local quotes before you budget.

Local moves are typically billed by the hour. One 2026 cost guide reports local movers charging roughly $25 to $100 per mover per hour, with most jobs using a crew of two to four people, and total local moves landing in a broad $500 to $3,500 or more range by home size. (moveBuddha)
Long-distance moves are usually priced by weight and distance. The same guide puts moves of 1,000 or more miles in a $1,500 to $8,500 or more range. (moveBuddha)

What moves the number: the volume and weight of your belongings, distance, time of year (summer and month-end are peak), stairs and long carries, packing, and specialty items. Because fuel and labor costs shift and pricing differs by metro, confirm current rates with local pros. moveBuddha's 2026 data also notes that moving prices have risen roughly 21% year over year, so confirm current rates before you budget. The most reliable budget is three written quotes for your exact move.

How Qiggz helps you hire movers

Qiggz is a US marketplace that connects homeowners directly with local pros, including movers and hauling crews. You post your move once, for free, and a small, rotating shortlist of relevant local pros can respond. You message them directly, ask the questions above, and compare quotes before committing to anyone.

For the people doing the work, Qiggz charges no lead fees, no commissions, and no subscription, so movers are not paying to "buy" your job. One note on diligence: Qiggz helps you find and message local movers, but you should still verify licensing, insurance, and the USDOT number yourself using the steps above. That holds no matter where you find a mover.

Ready to move? Post your move on Qiggz to reach local moving pros, or browse and find pros for any home project.

The bottom line

Hiring movers safely comes down to a short, repeatable routine: get three written quotes after an in-home or video survey, verify licensing and (for interstate) the USDOT number yourself in the FMCSA system, read recent reviews, and refuse any large upfront cash deposit. Do that, and the horror stories almost never happen to you. When you are ready, post your move free on Qiggz and talk to local moving pros directly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a moving company is legitimate?

For an interstate move, ask for the company's USDOT number and look it up yourself in the FMCSA SAFER system to confirm it is active and authorized to move household goods. For a local move, check your state's licensing requirements. In both cases, read recent reviews, confirm a real physical address, and get everything in writing.

Do movers need a license or a USDOT number?

Movers that cross state lines must register with the FMCSA, carry a USDOT number, and hold authority to transport household goods. Local, in-state movers are regulated by the state, and requirements vary. Verify the number or license yourself rather than taking the company's word.

How much should a deposit be when hiring movers?

Reputable movers often require little or no deposit, and a large upfront cash deposit is a common scam signal. Be especially cautious if a company insists on cash, gift cards, or wire transfer. When a deposit is required, keep it modest and pay by a traceable method.

What does it cost to hire movers?

It depends heavily on distance, home size, season, and services. As a rough guide, one 2026 source reports local moves often running from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, and long-distance moves commonly from around $1,500 to $8,500 or more. Because pricing varies by region and season, get three written local quotes before budgeting.

Sources

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), "Protect Your Move" consumer program and the SAFER / mover search lookup tools (interstate household-goods movers must register and carry a USDOT number; verify household-goods authority yourself). fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move and Are FMCSA registered movers the same as authorized movers?
moveBuddha, Moving Cost Calculator (2026): local moves roughly $25 to $100 per mover per hour and about $500 to $3,500+ total; long-distance moves about $1,500 to $8,500+. movebuddha.com/moving-cost-calculator. Confirm or refresh at publish.
Moving company licensing for local (in-state) moves is set by each state; verify via your state's transportation or utilities regulator. Confirm current rules at publish.
Qiggz "free to post, no lead fees, no commissions, local pros, direct messaging": first-party (Qiggz product), see /about/qiggz.