Transferring companies are difficult to assess. Since I cannot grade the hauling skills of each mover myself, I rely on the experiences of other customers. The most reliable source is Form GSA3080to be filled out by government employees to evaluate the movers after they move to work. That data is compiled into an all-in-one score for movers. From my original list of more than 50 interstate movers, I cut anything with a low average score.

From there, I looked at each company’s record Department of Transportation. Does it employ enough drivers to handle timely movements across the country? How is its safety record? I eliminated any companies with below average car or driver inspection scores.

Then I tried what I could: the citation process. I filled out online quote forms from 22 movers and waited for my phone to ring. It should only take about 10 minutes to get a quote over the phone. I am asking any companies that are prioritizing their sales to my questions or asking for a large deposit right away. The best moving companies will ask for a detailed inventory of the items you’re moving before they provide a quote, and they can explain their policies in clear, plain language.

Finally, I check reviews and complaints with the Better Business Bureau. It’s less about total volume — moving is the kind of industry where people usually only leave reviews when there’s a problem — and more about finding a pattern in complaints. I also give preference to companies that are certified Promote through the American Trucking Association. This means they have passed an annual review of their business practices, including their complaint history.