Choosing a moving company should feel straightforward. You search online, read a few reviews, get some quotes, and pick the one that seems best. In practice, the process is more complicated, because the moving industry has a wide range of operators, from highly professional licensed companies with trained crews to unlicensed operators who take deposits and disappear. On the Eastside of Seattle, where home values are high and move complexity is often significant, the stakes of choosing the wrong company are real. A damaged piece of furniture, a delayed delivery, or a company that holds your belongings hostage over an inflated final bill can turn an already stressful life event into a genuine crisis. This guide takes a different approach from the typical "red flags to watch for" article. Instead of focusing on what to avoid, it gives you ten specific questions to ask every moving company you consider, along with the answers that indicate a company worth hiring. Ask these questions before you sign anything, and you will have a clear picture of who you are dealing with.

Why Questions Matter More Than Reviews

Online reviews are useful, but they have limits. A company can have a strong average rating and still have serious operational problems that reviews do not reveal. Reviews capture the experience of past customers, not the specific details of your move. They do not tell you:

whether the company is licensed
how they handle claims
whether the crew is employed or subcontracted
what happens if something goes wrong

Questions do. A direct conversation with a moving company before booking reveals:

how they operate
how they communicate
whether they are willing to be transparent about the details that matter

Companies that are evasive, vague, or dismissive when asked direct questions are telling you something important about how they will handle your move. The ten questions below are designed to surface that information quickly. They are not trick questions or adversarial. They are the questions that any professional, well-run moving company should be able to answer clearly and without hesitation. If a company cannot answer them, that is your answer.

Question 1: Are You Licensed and Insured?

Licensing is the first filter. In Washington State, household goods movers are required to hold a state license (HG number) issued by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, and a federal USDOT number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Any company that cannot provide both is operating illegally. Verify the license number before booking. You can check Washington State mover licenses at the UTC website and USDOT numbers at the FMCSA website. A company that provides a license number but asks you not to verify it is a red flag. What to ask: "Can you provide your Washington State HG license number and your USDOT number?" Then verify both independently before signing anything.

Question 2: Do You Employ Your Own Crew, or Do You Use Subcontractors?

Some moving companies use their own trained, background-checked employees. Others use day laborers or subcontractors hired for individual jobs. The difference matters more than most people realize. Companies that employ their own crew have more accountability. If something goes wrong, there is a clear chain of responsibility. Companies that use subcontractors often have less control over who shows up on move day and how they handle your belongings. What to ask: "Are the people who will move my belongings your employees, or do you use subcontractors?" The answer you want is that the crew are full-time or part-time employees who are background-checked and trained by the company.

Question 3: What Type of Estimate Do You Provide?

There are three types of moving estimates, and understanding the difference is essential before you sign anything.

Non-binding estimate — a rough cost projection that can change on move day based on actual weight or time. The least protective option for the customer.
Binding estimate — a firm price that cannot increase, regardless of how long the move takes or how much your belongings weigh.
Binding not-to-exceed estimate — the most customer-friendly option: the price is capped at the estimate, but can come in lower if the move takes less time than expected.

What to ask: "Is this a binding or non-binding estimate? Can I get it in writing?" Always get the estimate in writing before the move date.

Question 4: What Is Included in the Base Rate?

Moving company pricing can be surprisingly opaque. The base rate typically covers labor and transportation, but many companies charge separately for additional services. Common add-on charges to ask about:

Fuel surcharge
Stairs (per flight, per direction)
Long carry (when the truck cannot park close to the entrance)
Elevator use
Packing materials (boxes, tape, wrapping)
Disassembly and reassembly of furniture

What to ask: "Can you give me an itemized breakdown of what is and is not included in the quoted price?" Ask specifically about the items most likely to apply to your move. If you live in a building with stairs and no elevator, ask about stair charges before you commit.

Question 5: How Do You Handle Damage Claims?

Every professional moving company has a claims process for damaged or missing items. How they handle that process tells you a great deal about how they operate. By default, moving companies offer released value protection, which covers only $0.60 per pound per item. A 50-pound television damaged in a move would be covered for $30 under this standard. Full value protection covers repair or replacement at current market value, but typically costs extra. What to ask:

"What is your claims process?
What is the timeframe for filing a claim?
Do you offer full value protection?"

For more detail on how moving insurance works, see our moving insurance guide.

Question 6: Can You Provide References From Recent Customers?

Online reviews are public and curated. Direct references are more revealing. A company that is confident in its service should be willing to provide contact information for recent customers who have agreed to be references. What to ask: "Can you provide two or three references from recent customers?" When you contact those references, ask specifically:

Did the final price match the estimate?
Was anything damaged, and if so, how was it handled?
Was the crew professional and on time?
Would you hire this company again?

A company that cannot or will not provide references is a company that is not confident in its track record.

Question 7: What Is Your Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy?

Life changes, and moves sometimes need to be rescheduled. Understanding a company's cancellation and rescheduling policy before you book prevents unpleasant surprises if your closing date shifts or your plans change. What to ask: "What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy? Is there a fee if I need to change the date?" The answer you want: a clear policy with reasonable notice requirements. Most professional moving companies allow cancellation or rescheduling with 48 to 72 hours notice without penalty. The policy should be in writing in your contract. If it is not, ask for it to be added before you sign.

Question 8: How Do You Protect Floors, Walls, and Doorframes?

Property damage during a move is more common than most people expect, and most of it is preventable with proper preparation. What to ask: "What is your standard protocol for protecting floors, walls, and doorframes?" The answer you want:

the company uses floor runners or protective coverings on hardwood and carpeted floors,
pads doorframes and walls in high-traffic areas,
and wraps furniture before moving it through the home.

Our residential moving services include:

floor runners,
door frame padding,
and furniture wrapping as standard practice on every move.

This should be standard practice, not an optional add-on. If a company charges extra for basic property protection, that is a warning sign.

Question 9: What Happens If the Move Takes Longer Than Estimated?

For hourly-rate moves, the final cost depends on how long the move actually takes. Understanding what happens when a move runs longer than the estimate is essential before you commit to an hourly rate. What to ask: "What is your hourly rate? How do you bill for time beyond the estimate? Is there a minimum charge?" The answer you want: a clear explanation of the hourly rate, the minimum charge, and how overtime is billed. Most companies bill in 15 or 30-minute increments after the minimum. If you have a binding estimate, the total price should not change regardless of how long the move takes — confirm this explicitly.

Question 10: What Do You Need From Me to Make This Move Go Smoothly?

This question is the most revealing of all, because it shifts the conversation from evaluation to partnership. A company that has a clear, specific answer to this question has thought carefully about what makes moves succeed and fail. What to ask: "What do you need from me to make this move go smoothly?" The answer you want: specific, practical guidance. Good answers include:

Have everything packed before the crew arrives
Label boxes with destination rooms
Clear a path from the door to the truck
Be present for the walkthrough at both ends
Have payment ready at the end of the move

A company that answers this question well is a company that has done this many times and knows what works. That is the company you want moving your belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many moving companies should I get quotes from before booking?

Getting quotes from at least three moving companies is standard advice, and it is good advice. Three quotes give you a meaningful range to compare and help you identify outliers in either direction. A quote that is significantly lower than the other two is worth scrutinizing carefully, because it often indicates a non-binding estimate that will increase on move day, or a company that is cutting corners on insurance, crew quality, or equipment. A quote that is significantly higher is not necessarily better, but it should come with a clear explanation of what is included.

Is it safe to book a moving company I found only online?

It can be, but verify independently before booking. Check the company's UTC license number with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and their USDOT number with the FMCSA. Read reviews on multiple platforms, not just the ones the company links to from its website. Ask for references from recent customers. A company that passes these checks and can answer the ten questions in this guide clearly is likely a legitimate operator, regardless of how you found them.

What is the difference between a binding and non-binding moving estimate?

A binding estimate is a firm price that cannot increase on move day, regardless of how long the move takes or how much your belongings weigh. A non-binding estimate is a projection that can change based on actual conditions. For most residential moves, a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate is strongly preferable, because it eliminates the risk of a surprise bill at the end of the move. Always get the estimate in writing and confirm whether it is binding before signing a contract.

What should I do if a moving company asks for a large deposit upfront?

A deposit of 10 to 20 percent of the estimated move cost is standard and reasonable. A deposit of 50 percent or more is a warning sign, particularly if the company is also pressuring you to book quickly. Legitimate moving companies do not require large upfront payments because they are confident in their ability to complete the job and collect payment at the end. If a company asks for a large deposit, ask why, get the refund policy in writing, and consider whether the risk is worth it.

How do I verify that a moving company is properly licensed in Washington State?

Washington State moving companies are regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). You can search for a company's license status at the UTC website using the company's name or license number. For interstate movers, verify their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Both searches are free and take less than five minutes. Any company that is unwilling to provide their license number when asked directly is a company to avoid.

What is released value protection, and is it enough coverage for my move?

Released value protection is the default liability coverage that moving companies are required to provide at no charge. It covers damaged or lost items at $0.60 per pound per item, which is far below the replacement value of most household goods. A 50-pound television would be covered for $30 under released value protection. For most moves, For a complete breakdown of what moving insurance covers and what it doesn't, see our <a href="/moving-insurance-what-it-covers-and-what-it-doesnt/">moving insurance guide</a>. Full value protection is worth the additional cost, because it covers repair or replacement at current market value. Ask your moving company about full value protection options before your move date.

Jason SextonFounder & Owner, On The Go Moving & Storage

Jason founded On The Go Moving & Storage in Redmond, WA in 2009 and has personally overseen more than 25,000 moves across Greater Seattle. He holds a Washington State Household Goods Mover license (HG-064180) and writes from direct, hands-on experience in the moving industry.

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How to Choose a Moving Company: 10 Questions to Ask