Critical Red Flags

• No On-Site Inspection: Giving quotes without viewing your home. It is not illegal to provide a quote over the phone, but under federal law, they cannot use an over-the-phone quote to bypass a physical inspection.
• Large Upfront Deposit: Requesting a deposit greater than 25%.
• Missing Legal Booklets: Failing to provide "Your Rights and Responsibilities" paperwork.
• No Physical Presence: Lacking a verifiable local address or website.
• Hidden License Info: Operating without verifiable federal or state licensing.

• Insist on On-Site Visits: Demand a physical or virtual walkthrough.
• Get Written Estimates: Never rely on verbal or over-the-phone quotes.
• Verify DOT Licensing: Check credentials on official government databases.
• Never Pay Full Cash Upfront: Use secure payment methods with fraud protection.

Federal law, regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves, dictates specific rules regarding how estimates must be handled:

Federal Law (For Out-of-State Moves)

• The Physical Survey Requirement: An interstate mover must conduct a physical, visual survey of your household goods before giving a written estimate.
• The Only Exception: A mover can waive the physical survey only if the customer signs a physical survey waiver before the move begins, or if the home is located more than 50 miles away from the mover's place of business.
• Virtual Alternative: Most modern, legitimate carriers now satisfy the visual requirement by doing a real-time video walkthrough instead of an in-person visit.

State Law (For In-State Moves)

• If you are moving within the same state, local laws apply. While some state utility commissions strictly mandate a physical or virtual walkthrough for accuracy, others allow over-the-phone inventory lists. However, a purely verbal phone quote is almost never considered a legally binding contract in any state.

Why Phone Quotes Are Dangerous

• Non-Binding Quotes: Phone quotes are nearly always "non-binding". This means the price is just an educated guess.
• The "Hostage" Trap: Rogue movers use phone quotes to intentionally "low-ball" you. Once your items are loaded onto the truck, they will claim you have more weight or volume than discussed over the phone and demand thousands of dollars more to finish the delivery.
• Broker vs. Carrier: If a company eagerly gives you a fast quote over the phone without asking for a video walkthrough, you are likely dealing with a moving broker rather than an actual moving company. Brokers match you with third-party drivers and are infamous for inflating prices later.

How to Protect Yourself

Never sign a contract based on a phone call. Insist that the company sends an estimator to your home or schedules a live video survey. Ensure that whatever quote they give you is translated into a written, signed binding estimate before moving day.