How to Find Moving Company Complaints Before You Hire
TM
Written by TheMoveTips Editorial Team
Updated 6 min read
Quick Answer
Start your search at the federal level by using the FMCSA database to check for active licensing and past consumer complaints.
Look for patterns of complaints across multiple platforms like the Better Business Bureau rather than focusing on a single negative review.
Always verify that your mover is a registered carrier and not a broker, as brokers do not handle your goods directly.
Finding accurate information about a professional mover requires more than a simple web search for star ratings. Many moving companies purchase fake reviews to boost their standing, which can leave you with an inaccurate picture of their actual service quality. Learning how to find moving company complaints is the most effective way to see if a business respects its customers.
Your goal is to identify patterns of poor performance rather than one off incidents. Every company will have an unhappy customer occasionally. You want to avoid the movers that consistently fail to provide services or engage in deceptive billing practices.
Where can you find official records on moving companies?
The most reliable place to research a mover is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA website. This agency tracks interstate movers and provides a database that reveals whether a company has a history of federal complaints. You can look up a company by its name or its Department of Transportation number.
The FMCSA database shows you if a company is currently authorized to move household goods across state lines. It also provides a snapshot of their compliance record. If you see a high volume of complaints relative to their size, this is a major warning sign.
Checking for state level complaints
Regional oversight often fills the gaps that federal databases might miss. State Attorney General offices and local departments of consumer protection keep records of disputes involving businesses within their borders. If you are moving within a single state, these local resources are often more current than national ones.
Using third party review sites carefully
Platforms like the Better Business Bureau allow you to see if a company responds to consumer grievances. A company that ignores formal complaints is rarely interested in solving your problems if something goes wrong. Pay close attention to the nature of the complaints rather than just the score.
All interstate household goods movers are legally required to participate in an arbitration program to resolve disputes over loss, damage, or disputed charges, and must summarize this program in writing before you sign the bill of lading.
Which moving company complaints are actual red flags?
Some minor issues are common in the logistics industry, but specific types of complaints should disqualify a mover immediately. You must watch for reports of hostage loads where a company refuses to deliver your items unless you pay a surprise fee. This is a severe violation that suggests a predatory business model.
Another red flag is a consistent pattern of low ball quotes followed by price hikes on the day of your move. While minor adjustments for extra packing materials can happen, dramatic changes in price indicate a dishonest estimator. You can try our moving cost calculator to establish a baseline of what your move should actually cost.
Issue Type
Severity Level
Recommended Action
Isolated rude behavior
Low
Proceed with caution
Minor scheduling delay
Medium
Clarify terms in writing
Deceptive billing practices
High
Avoid this company
Hostage loads or theft
Extreme
Report and blacklist
If you find multiple reports of damaged property with no insurance resolution, walk away. Professional companies have established processes for handling damage claims. Movers that dodge their liability are not worth the risk to your belongings.
How to tell if you are dealing with a broker or a carrier
Many consumers mistakenly believe they are hiring a moving company when they are actually talking to a broker. A broker arranges your move but does not own the trucks or employ the movers. Because they act as middlemen, they often have less control over the quality of the move or the timing of delivery.
Federal law requires brokers to disclose their status before you book your move. If a company seems vague about who will actually perform the physical work, ask for their DOT number. You can verify a mover's license to ensure they are the ones handling your items.
Why brokers might hide complaints
Brokers often hide behind the reputations of the carriers they hire. If the carrier does a poor job, the broker might point the finger at the mover. This passing of responsibility makes it difficult for you to hold anyone accountable for your losses.
Transparency in the contract
Always read your contract for language regarding who is responsible for your goods. If the company is a broker, the name of the actual carrier should be disclosed in your documentation. You have a right to know who is entering your home and handling your possessions.
What should you do if you have already hired a bad mover?
If you find yourself stuck in a bad contract or facing an unfair charge, do not just accept it. Start by attempting a peaceful resolution with the company. Contact them in writing to document every interaction regarding your dispute.
If the company refuses to listen, escalate your complaint to the FMCSA. You can also file a complaint with your state Attorney General office. These agencies act as a bridge between consumers and businesses to facilitate a fair outcome. You should also browse more cost guides to understand your rights regarding fair pricing and billing.
Is it normal for a moving company to have any complaints?
Most moving companies will have some complaints because they deal with high stress situations and complex logistics. You should look for trends of unresolved issues or illegal activities like price gouging rather than expecting a company to have zero negative feedback.
Should I trust reviews on the company website?
You should treat reviews on a company website with skepticism because they are likely filtered to show only positive feedback. Independent third party sites provide a more balanced look at a company performance over time.
Can I sue a moving company in small claims court?
Small claims court is an option if your dispute involves financial loss or damaged property that the company refuses to settle. You must have clear documentation of your losses and the contract terms to make your case effectively in front of a judge.
Protecting your move starts with rigorous research before you sign any paperwork. Use the federal databases and local consumer agencies to verify the reputation of every company on your shortlist. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is, so trust the data over the sales pitch.
