Moving companies are difficult to evaluate. Since I can't really rate each mover's hauling skills myself, I rely on the experiences of other customers. The most reliable source is the Form GSA3080which is filled out by government employees to check on movers after they move to work. That data is compiled into an all-in-one score for movers. From my original list of over 50 interstate movers, I cut any with a below average score.
From there, I looked at each company's record including Department of Transportation. Does it use enough drivers to handle timely cross-country transfers? How is its safety record? I removed any companies with below average vehicle or driver inspection scores.
Then I tried what I could: the quote process. I filled out the 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 mention any companies that prioritize their sales on my questions or ask for a large deposit right away. The best moving companies will ask for a detailed inventory of the items you're moving before they provide a quote, and they'll be able to explain their policies in clear, simple language.
Finally, I looked for reviews and complaints with the Better Business Bureau. It's less about a general number — moving is the kind of industry where people usually only leave reviews when there's a problem — and more about finding a pattern of complaints. I also gave preference to companies certified as Promote of the American Trucking Association. This means they have passed an annual review of their business practices, including their complaint history.
