Hire
How to hire movers
As of September 2026, the hire that holds up is three written estimates, a live licence ID, and a survey that saw the stairs. A $499 Facebook ad is not an estimate.
Haulest data team · Desk opened official pages 17 September 2026. Editorial.
What to collect before a deposit. September 2026.
| Market | Ask for | Official check |
|---|---|---|
| US interstate | USDOT / MC, binding vs not | FMCSA Protect Your Move |
| US in-state | State HHG number where it exists | TxDMV, BHGS, DPU, UTC, ICC… |
| Canada | Insurance, CVOR / safety-fitness, matching van name | Ontario hiring-a-mover page |
| UK | Companies House, GIT limit, waiting time | Companies House search |
Why does the survey decide the price?
A phone number and a bedroom count is how bills jump at the door. Video or in-home, someone has to see the sofa, the walk-up, and the piano you swore was just a bit heavy.
If they will not survey and they want a large cash deposit, stop. That is the hostage-load pattern, not a bargain.
How do you tell a carrier from a broker on SAFER?
US interstate: open the FMCSA SAFER snapshot for the USDOT on the paper. The legal name on that snapshot has to match the van and the estimate. A broker can sell the job. The carrier on moving day is who you look up.
If they will not give a USDOT before a deposit, stop. A 5.0 from three cousins is not a licence. Canada: there is no federal mover licence. UK: there is no national remover licence. Check the official thing that exists.
This page will not fake quotes or a star strip. Licence first. Then reviews.
What should you pay, and on what paper?
US interstate: know binding vs non-binding and the 110% rule. UK: ask waiting time and whether GIT covers boxes you packed. Canada: HST/GST on the invoice.
Never pay the whole job up front. Photograph the inventory and the truck doors.
Before you hire
Four checks before a deposit
Written estimate after a look
Interstate movers must give the booklet and a written estimate after a survey or a full description. A $499 ad is not an estimate.
FMCSA Protect Your MoveLegal name matches SAFER
USDOT on the paper, the truck doors, and the census. A different name is the walk.
USDOT / Companies House lookupWalk from cash and blank paper
FTC: unregistered interstate, huge deposit, cash only, or a blank contract. Photograph and leave.
FTC: hiring a mover110% on a COD non-binding job
Pay up to 110% plus agreed extras and they must hand over the load. Not a cap on extras you signed.
US interstate rules
Reviewed September 2026 by the Haulest desk. Numbers on this page carry their own dates; the official pages below are the sources.
Sources
Links go to the publisher. Haulest does not add findings. Checked September 2026; if the live page moved, believe the agency.
- FMCSA Protect Your Movefmcsa.dot.gov · Government · checked September 2026
- FMCSA SAFER company snapshotsafer.fmcsa.dot.gov · Government · checked September 2026
- Ontario: hiring a moverontario.ca · Government · checked September 2026
- Companies House searchfind-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk · Official body · checked September 2026
- FTC: avoid scams when you hire a moving companyconsumer.ftc.gov · Government · checked September 2026
Ask out loud
Questions people ask
- How many quotes do I need?
- Three written ones. One verbal cheap number is how you donate the day.
- Is Haulest a mover?
- No. We are a research desk and a quote line. We do not operate trucks.
- Can I hire from reviews alone?
- Reviews without a licence check are how people get stuck. Licence first.
- Video survey or visit?
- Video is faster. Stairs, pianos, and tight turns still win with a visit. See the video vs visit page.
Next steps
Next
Keep going
Call for a free quote
From, then To. Date and home size after that. A person on the phone is faster if you already know the dates.
+1 (866) 961-9682Free moving quoteHaulest is not a carrier. We connect you to movers.
Haulest is a research desk and quote line. We are not a carrier.