Furthermore, DOT does not license local movers, this being a prerogative of the state, and some local movers are completely unlicensed. But beware of the lowest bid. It is not uncommon for a moving company to bid low in order to get your business, then ask for more money when they arrive on moving day. Always get your estimate and the service it covers in writing. As the name implies, the binding estimate ensures that you'll not pay more than the estimate regardless of weight or distance.
Some companies charge a fee for a binding estimate.
This might be useful if you are planning to sell or leave behind many large items and expect the total load of your move to decrease. Understand, for example, that most movers do not unpack, but simply deliver the boxes to the designated rooms in the new home. Although it will never be in a written contract, movers expect tips when they have finished unloading. Broken or lost possessions are the biggest complaints against movers. Interstate movers are liable for only 60 cents per pound of damaged, lost or stolen goods, and some local movers pay even less.