5 Best Local Moving Companies in Columbus

Best Moving Companies FAQs

1. What's the difference between a moving broker and a moving carrier?

A moving carrier is a company that pays its employees to take your goods from one place to another. Carriers handle the entire moving process themselves, from providing you a quote to scheduling the move to invoicing you for their services. Moving carriers are best for people who want to make sure their moving company is 100% accountable for whatever happens to their items.

A moving broker, on the other hand, will never actually touch your stuff. They act as a middleman, creating your quote and contacting its carrier partners to see who is interested in taking the job. They will handle the billing and payment, and receive a cut of the share, but they aren’t the ones who will provide the moving service and they are not ultimately responsible for anything that happens to your property. That liability falls on the carriers. Moving brokers are best for people who don’t have time to shop around for multiple quotes and people on a budget. 

2. What are the benefits of each? 

The main benefits of choosing a moving broker are cost and convenience. Brokers can get you quotes from multiple carriers, increasing the chance of finding a competitive price. They also handle the legwork of finding carriers, saving you time and effort.

On the other hand, the main benefits of moving carriers are control and accountability. With a moving carrier, you deal directly with the company responsible for your move, and have more control over selecting the specific movers and services you need. In case of problems, there's a clear chain of responsibility with the carrier you hired.

3. What's the difference between a bound quote vs non-bound quote?

There are two types of estimates: a binding estimate and a non-binding estimate. The binding estimate is usually offered after an in-home survey since it is the most precise method of appraisal. Whatever the binding estimate’s total is, it essentially means that the moving company agrees to not charge you more than that upon delivery—not including any additional services you may opt into on moving day, such as packing.

A non-binding estimate means the final cost will be given on moving day, once all the items are loaded and weighed. A non-binding estimate is usually less costly than a binding estimate, but it also lacks the security of a binding total, since the company can increase the costs on moving day.

4. What things should you review after receiving a quote? 

Here are some key things to review after receiving a moving quote:

Breakdown of Costs: See a clear breakdown of all charges, including transportation costs, labor costs, packing supplies (if included), fuel surcharges, and any other fees.

Services Included: Confirm if packing and unpacking services are included in the quote, or if they are additional costs. Also, understand what type and amount of insurance is included in the base price. Consider purchasing additional coverage if needed for valuable items.

Additional Considerations: Understand when and how payment is due. Be wary of companies requiring large deposits upfront. Review the cancellation policy in case you need to reschedule your move. Ask about any potential hidden fees, such as long carry charges (for long distances from the truck to your door) or stair fees (for multiple flights of stairs).

One thing to keep in mind regarding moving quotes is the 110 Percent Rule, a federal regulation that states that the moving company cannot charge you more than ten percent over the estimate’s total on delivery day. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t ever charge you: the moving company has 30 days to bill you for the additional costs in excess of that ten percent. Once the 30 days have passed, the charges are forfeit. The 110 Percent Rule only applies to non-binding estimates and to interstate moving companies.

5. What things should you know before moving? 

As the FMCSA puts it, you have a responsibility as a shipper of household goods and as a consumer to thoroughly research the company you are doing business with. And also to make sure you understand all the terms of the contract you’re signing.

But you have rights as well. For one thing, interstate carriers are legally required to provide you with a copy of the “Rights and Responsibilities” booklet and the “Ready to Move” brochure, both of which are FMCSA publications containing important information for you to know before your move.

According to the booklet, you have the right as a client of a moving company to receive the following documents from the company, in addition to the publications mentioned above:

• A written estimate

• Information about the mover’s arbitration program

• Written notice about how to access the mover's tariff (rates, charges and service terms)

• The process for handling claims