An interstate move sounds exciting until you start looking for movers. Then it gets stressful fast. There are dozens of companies, all promising the same thing. Some give you numbers that seem too good to be true. Others avoid giving you straight answers. And meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out who’s actually going to show up, handle your stuff with care, and not surprise you with hidden charges. That’s why the questions you ask up front matter so much. They’re the difference between a smooth move and weeks of frustration. In this post, we’ll go through the key questions to ask before hiring interstate movers – the ones that help you separate the pros from the people you’ll wish you never called.

Main Questions to Ask Before Hiring Interstate Movers

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 8.2 million Americans move to a different state each year, which means interstate moving is far more common than people think – and so are moving scams.

That said, if you want to prevent yourself from falling victim to a scam, these are the main questions to ask before hiring interstate movers.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is the first question to put on your list.

Moving across state lines isn’t the same as hiring a couple of guys with a truck for a local move. In fact, interstate movers are required to have a license with the FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. If they don’t, that’s a red flag you absolutely can’t ignore.

A licensed mover has to follow federal regulations and that protects you if something goes wrong. If your belongings get damaged, lost, or delayed, you have some legal ground to stand on. Without that license, however, you’re taking the company’s word for everything. And that’s risky.

What Services Do You Provide?

Not all moving companies offer the same package of services. Some only handle loading, transporting, and unloading. Others can take care of packing, unpacking, storage, or even furniture assembly. Knowing exactly what’s included helps you avoid assumptions – and surprise costs.

A bonus question: ask if their services are flexible. The best movers know that every move is different and will, thus, work with you to create a plan that perfectly fits your timeline, budget, and stress level. After all, the right team is supposed to make moving less stressful, not add more headaches to the mix.

Can You Provide a Written Estimate?

That ballpark number they toss out over the phone? Forget it. It doesn’t mean much once the truck actually shows up. You’ll want a written estimate that spells out exactly what you’re paying for – the labor, the truck, packing supplies, even the little extras they sometimes forget to mention. If a company won’t put it in writing, that’s usually a sign they’re not being straight with you.

Most people are unaware that not all estimates are created equal, though. Some are binding, some are non-binding, and some are “binding-not-to-exceed.” Each one sets different rules for what your final bill will look like. If you don’t ask about the specifics as well, you might end up with a number that suddenly jumps at the end. And no one wants that kind of shock on a moving day.

Do You Have References or Reviews I Can Check?

A company can say all the right things, but past customers will tell you the truth. Ask for references you can actually call, not just the cherry-picked testimonials on their website. Even better, look them up on Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau to see the unfiltered reviews.

What you’re watching for isn’t perfection – every mover will have a mix of good and bad reviews. What matters is how they handle problems.

● Did they respond professionally when something went wrong?

● Did they make it right?

That kind of track record says a lot more about the company than a glossy sales pitch ever will.

How Do You Handle Damaged or Lost Items?

No one wants to think about their stuff getting scratched, dented, or lost – but it happens. What’s important is how the moving company deals with such situations. In other words, you’ll want to know upfront whether they’ll fix, replace, or compensate you if something goes wrong.

The good movers won’t dodge this question. They’ll walk you through the process and tell you exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. If all you get is vague answers, that’s another red flag.

What’s Your Experience With Interstate Moves?

Moving across state lines isn’t just moving long distances. There are permits involved, route planning, even rules at weigh stations most people never think about. If the company hasn’t done this kind of move before, you could end up paying for their learning curve.

Instead of just asking, “Do you do interstate moves?”, dig deeper. How often do they handle them? Have they done a job like yours recently? What happens if the truck gets delayed halfway?

The best movers will be able to tell you real stories. If all you hear are generic responses with no specifics, that’s usually a sign they’re not as experienced as they want you to believe.

Who Will Actually Be Handling My Move?

Believe it or not, but the company you hire might not be the one that shows up. Some movers subcontract their interstate jobs to other carriers. That means the crew loading your stuff could be a completely different team than the one you spoke with – and sometimes they’re not held to the same standards.

Ask directly if they use their own employees or if they hand the job off. If it is subcontracted, find out who those movers are and whether they’re licensed and insured, too.

Final Takeaway

Hiring interstate movers isn’t something you do every day, and it’s a big deal. You’re trusting people with pretty much everything you own, and once the truck pulls away, there’s no turning back.

When you know a mover is licensed, insured, and upfront about costs, you can relax a little. When you know who’s actually handling your stuff, you can picture the day going more smoothly.

So, before you sign anything, keep this list of questions to ask before hiring interstate movers close by. It’ll help you spot the pros, avoid the headaches, and get through a moving day with a whole lot less stress.