Moving companies are difficult to evaluate. Since I could not realistically assess the transportation skills of each mover myself, I relied on the experience of other customers. The most reliable source is Form GSA3080that government employees fill out to evaluate movers after they move for work. This data is compiled into an all-in-one score for movers. From my initial list of more than 50 interstate movers, I removed those who scored below average.
From there, I reviewed each company’s file with the Ministry of Transport. Did it employ enough drivers to handle travel across the country in a timely manner? What is its safety record? I eliminated any companies with below-average vehicle or driver inspection scores.
Next, I tested what I could: the quoting process. I filled out online quote forms from 22 movers and waited for my phone to blow up. It should only take about 10 minutes to get a quote over the phone. I contacted every company that put their sales pitches ahead of my questions or immediately asked for a large deposit. The best moving companies will request a detailed inventory of the items you are moving before providing a quote, and they will be able to explain their policies in clear, simple language.
Finally, I searched the reviews and complaints with the Better Business Bureau. It was less about a blanket number — moving is the kind of industry where people generally only leave reviews when there’s a problem — and more about looking for a pattern of complaints. I also gave preference to certified companies ProMover by the American Trucking Association. This means they have passed an annual review of their business practices, including their complaint history.
