During My Move

What to Expect?

Before Driver Arrives for Pickup on Moving Day

Confirm the movers’ information including name, time of arrival and the company for which they work.

If the workers that are picking up the items are not from the company you expected, then this is a red flag that there is a high risk that the price could increase.

Make sure to print off your estimate or have it saved electronically where you can access it on moving day.

In many situations with fraudulent entities, the estimate will be provided through a link in an email and when the driver is dispatched to the home for pickup, the estimate will no longer be available.

Confirm all services to be performed by the mover, over the phone with the moving crew.

If you request additional services, the mover may amend the original estimate and provide you with a new price.

Movers Are Arriving at Home for Pick Up on Moving Day

Before any loading starts, the movers/foreman should perform a walkthrough of all the items to confirm the inventory sheet.

If there are any changes that need to be made to services or price, these should be offered in writing and agreed to before any loading has started.

Driver/foreman is required to fill out a Bill of Lading, which is your contract for service.

Read the Bill of Lading carefully to make sure that the dates, services requested, valuation and dollar amounts are filled in and identical to those contained on your original estimate. Do not sign a Bill of Lading if any of these essential fields are left blank.

Federal law requires your mover to inventory your shipment prior to loading.

Be sure to inspect the inventory sheet and check to see that all of your items are listed and can be identified by their descriptions. There should also be notations indicating the physical condition of each item; check to see that these are correct.

My Mover Has Increased Price on Moving Day

What are my choices? 

Walk Away

If you placed a deposit with the company during the estimate process, you could dispute the charge with your credit card. If you did not place the deposit with a credit card, then this money is likely gone, but you can certainly ask the carrier to return it due to changed circumstances and/or an inaccurate estimate. You could attempt to file suit in court against the carrier to recover the money.

If there is a price increase you do not intend to pay or there are multiple red flags, your best option may be to find another mover, if you still have time. An increase in price on the front end is an indication you may be dealing with a fraudulent company and you may want to think carefully before giving them your goods.

If there is a price increase you do not intend to pay or there are multiple red flags, your best option may be to find another mover, if you still have time. An increase in price on the front end is an indication you may be dealing with a fraudulent company and you may want to think carefully before giving them your goods.

If you placed a deposit with the company during the estimate process, you could dispute the charge with your credit card. If you did not place the deposit with a credit card, then this money is likely gone, but you can certainly ask the carrier to return it due to changed circumstances and/or an inaccurate estimate. You could attempt to file suit in court against the carrier to recover the money.

Agree to the Increase

If the increase has been presented to you before loading the goods and you are willing to pay it, then you should sign a new estimate and agree to the new charges. The fact that the new price was given to you before loading is a sign that this company is following the consumer rules and regulations.

Take Your Chances

If the company drives away with your goods with a new price that you do not intend to pay, then there will be additional issues that will likely be difficult to resolve. These discrepancies are unique to every move situation, and you may need to discuss the details with the relevant enforcement officials to ask for support.

My Mover is Refusing to Deliver My Items to My New Home:

These situations are very fact specific and will require special attention.

You can also file a complaint against your broker and/or mover by clicking, because it is against federal rules and regulations for the broker or carrier to demand payment before the items arrive for delivery. State level enforcement agencies and the Attorney General’s office could be contacted to speak to the carrier on your behalf as well. Click here for state-level contact information. Click here for your state’s Attorney General’s office. You can contact the origin state, destination state, and the state where the carrier is located. This technique will have mixed results because it is dependent on the level of enforcement power that the states give these agencies.