Hiring an wrong DC moving company may result in property damage, hidden fees, or outright scams. Some movers are holding things hostage, demanding additional payments, while others do not have proper licenses and insurance.
In Washington, D.C., narrow streets, traffic restrictions, and rules for moving to high-rise buildings make choosing the right moving company even more important. So, how to pick a good moving company?
Ask for Recommendations (But Verify!)
Recommendations passed on by word of mouth from family members, friends, and colleagues can be a useful starting point, but this is just the beginning. Even once reliable DC moving companies can eventually reduce their quality, change owners, or use unfair business practices.
How to Verify a Moving Company’s Reputation
- Check out several platforms for reviews — check out the reviews on Google, Yelp, and The Better Business Bureau (BBB) to make sure they are consistent.
- Use local sources — Local forums such as Nextdoor, Subreddits and Facebook groups dedicated to the District of Columbia provide real-time feedback from residents.
- Keep an eye on official complaints — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the District of Columbia Department of Leased Vehicles (DFHV) keep records of licenses and complaints.
🚨 Red Flags to Watch For:
- Recently, there have been few or no reviews at all — A sudden break in reviews may signal a decrease in the quality of service.
- A flood of excellent five-star ratings overnight may indicate manipulation of reviews.
- Frequent name changes — Companies with a bad reputation often rebrand to avoid negative press.
Only Hire a Mover (Not a Broker!)
Not all “moving companies” are real movers. Many are brokers, meaning they don’t own trucks or hire movers—they simply sell your job to the cheapest subcontractor available.
Not all transportation companies own trucks or hire movers. Many of them are brokers, which means that they sell moving services at the lowest price, rather than performing them themselves.
Why Brokers Are Risky
Brokers have no control over who actually transports your items, which increases the likelihood that the price will be changed – a low initial price that will later increase due to additional fees. Worse, if something goes wrong— delays, damage, or loss of items – neither the broker nor the subcontractor will take responsibility.
Verify Licensing, Insurance & Reputation
Before entrusting your belongings to the moving company, confirm its license, insurance, and reputation to avoid fraudsters and uninsured operators.
Interstate Movers (Moving Between States)
Any carrier operating out of state, long distance moves must have a USDOT number issued by the FMCSA. This database allows you to review their safety reports and consumer complaints.
Local Movers in DC
DC local movers operating exclusively in Washington, D.C. must be licensed by the DC Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV). Request their license number and check it online.
Check for Proper Insurance
Legitimate movers provide documents confirming liability and cargo insurance like Certificate of Insurance (COI). If they hesitate or are unable to provide documents, this is a serious alarm.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Moving Scam
Not all movers are trustworthy. Moving scams are a widespread issue, with 5,918 complaints filed against moving companies in 2023 and 1.5 million inquiries on BBB.org about these businesses (BBB). Florida had the highest number of reports, accounting for 1,871 out of 3,907 nationwide complaints (WFTV).
Common Moving Scams in DC
Some movers engage in so-called hostage moving, where they load your belongings into a truck only to demand additional payment before agreeing to unload them at their destination. Others use fake insurance payments, promising coverage that either doesn’t exist or is too small to protect your belongings in case of loss or damage. In addition, there are name change scams where a company with a tarnished reputation simply changes its name to avoid negative reviews and continue deceptive practices under a new name.
How to Avoid Moving Scams
- Verify licensing—Check the USDOT (FMCSA Database) number for interstate crossings and the DFHV records for local carriers.
- Analyze the nature of the reviews—constant complaints about hidden fees, delays, or damage are warning signs.
- Confirm insurance coverage—request proof of liability and cargo insurance.
- Avoid making large upfront payments—Trusted carriers charge after delivery, not before it.
Check Online Reviews (But Be Skeptical!)
Checking online reviews can help assess a carrier’s reputation, but not all reviews are trustworthy. Many companies manipulate ratings by publishing fake reviews or hiding negative reviews.
Where to Look for Honest Reviews
Platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, Thumbtack and BBB are useful, but patterns matter more than individual ratings. If several clients mention hidden payments, delays, or property damage, take it seriously.
How to Spot Fake Reviews
- The general praise is “Excellent service! I highly recommend it!” without specific details, this is an alarming signal.
- The sudden influx of five-star reviews may indicate that the company is trying to pull itself together after a negative press reaction.
- Excessive use of the company name – fake reviews often unnaturally repeat the full company name for SEO purposes.
The reaction to criticism is no less revealing. Legitimate moving companies professionally solve problems, while dubious companies argue or blame the client.
🚨 Don't rely solely on reviews — check for licenses, insurance, and complaint history.
Final Steps: Ask These Questions Before Signing a Contract
Before contacting any transportation company, ask the right questions to identify hidden payments, unclear rules, or misleading contracts.
💡 You can find out the questions in our article “What to Ask Your DC mover”.
