Road to a Smooth Move: Hiring Licensed Movers

South San Francisco, CA   March 2, 2015  by Sheri Boles, CPUC 

Feeling stressed about your upcoming move within California? The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates moving companies in California and wants to help you take the stress out of an otherwise stressful situation by offering the tips below. By doing your homework and ensuring that you have hired a licensed mover, you can make your move a more pleasant experience.

• Getting started: Looking for a moving company
  • Referrals by family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues
  • Print and electronic advertisements
  • Classified Advertisement Websites

Word of caution: Remember to take these leads with a grain of salt. Often companies that advertise their services may not be licensed. Always research each company thoroughly to ensure that it is licensed by the CPUC and in good standing.

• Researching companies
  • Is the moving company licensed? Call the CPUC at 1-800-877-8867 for verification; in order to be licensed by the CPUC the company has to be insured, pass a background check, successfully complete a test on statewide moving regulations, and more
  • Any complaints against this company?
    • Call the CPUC at 1-800-366-4782 or search by company name on the CPUC’s website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/transportation/movers/; remember that just because the company is licensed does not guarantee that it offers good customer service
    • Contact your local Better Business Bureau to check on the company’s complaint history
    • Visit consumer review websites to get a general idea of how it conducts business

• You’ve selected some prospective moving companies, now get price estimates
  • Always get estimates in writing after the moving company visually inspects your household belongings; the moving company is required to visit your home and cannot give you any quotes if this has not been done
  • Never accept a telephone or Internet (email or text) estimate

• You’ve narrowed down your search to one moving company and verified that it is licensed and in good standing. Now what?
  • Photograph or videotape your household belongings
    • This may be useful if a dispute arises concerning charges, any loss, and/or damage
  • Before the move begins you should have received two important documents from the mover: 1) Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods booklet (if the moving company was hired three or more days in advance) and 2) Moving Service Agreement with a “Not to Exceed” price
    • If there are changes to the Moving Service Agreement get a “Change Order for Moving Service”
  • Get copies of everything you sign. At the end of your move, the moving company should provide you with copies of all completed documents.
    • The CPUC is here to help and wants your move to go as smoothly as possible so you can more easily achieve your “Home Sweet Home!”

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