Choosing a moving company is about more than comparing prices. You’re trusting a company with your home, your belongings and, in many cases, decades’ worth of possessions.
For more than 80 years, Booth Movers has helped families and businesses move throughout Bergen County, Northern New Jersey and beyond. During that time, we’ve seen the moving industry change dramatically—but the fundamentals of choosing a reputable mover haven’t changed nearly as much.
Whether you choose Booth Movers or another company, here are the things we believe every Bergen County customer should look for before hiring a mover.
1. Make Sure You’re Hiring a Legitimate, Licensed Moving Company
This should be the first step—not an afterthought.
Moving companies operating in New Jersey are regulated by the State of New Jersey. Before hiring a mover, verify that the company is properly licensed and insured to perform the type of move you’re planning.
For interstate moves, movers are subject to federal requirements and should have the appropriate U.S. Department of Transportation credentials.
Don't simply rely on a logo or license number displayed on a website. Verify the company independently.
Ask your mover:
- Are you licensed to perform household-goods moves in New Jersey?
- Are you properly insured?
- Will my move be performed by your employees or subcontracted to another company?
- If I'm moving out of state, who will actually transport my belongings?
- Where can I independently verify your credentials?
A reputable moving company should be comfortable answering these questions.
2. Understand the Difference Between a Moving Company and a Moving Broker
This distinction can surprise consumers.
A moving company generally owns or operates the equipment and employs or directly manages the people performing your move. A moving broker typically arranges transportation with another company.
That doesn't automatically mean every broker is problematic, but customers should know who they are actually hiring and who will ultimately handle their belongings.
Before signing anything, ask:
“Will your company actually perform my move?”
If the answer is no, find out who will.
3. Be Cautious of an Estimate That Seems Too Good to Be True
Price matters. But the cheapest estimate isn't necessarily the least expensive move.
One of the oldest problems in the moving industry is an unrealistically low initial estimate that changes after the move is underway.
When comparing estimates, look beyond the number at the bottom of the page.
Determine:
- What services are included?
- How many movers are anticipated?
- How many hours are estimated?
- Are packing materials included?
- Are there charges for stairs, elevators, long carries or additional stops?
- Is travel time included?
- What happens if the move takes longer than estimated?
- Are there items requiring special handling?
- What valuation or protection option is included?
If one company's estimate is dramatically lower than several others, ask why.
A good mover should be able to explain how the estimate was calculated.
4. Get an Estimate Based on the Actual Scope of Your Move
The quality of an estimate depends heavily on the information available to the estimator.
For smaller moves, a detailed conversation and inventory may be sufficient. For larger homes or complicated moves, an in-home or comprehensive virtual survey can help identify issues before moving day.
Tell the estimator about anything unusual, including:
- Pianos
- Safes
- Oversized furniture
- Artwork
- Antiques
- Exercise equipment
- Outdoor furniture
- Difficult staircases
- Elevators
- Long walks between the truck and residence
- Items requiring disassembly
- Storage requirements
- Multiple pickup or delivery locations
Surprises are rarely good on moving day. The more your mover knows beforehand, the better the company can plan the appropriate crew, truck, equipment and time.
5. Understand What Protection You Have if Something Is Damaged
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of hiring a moving company.
Customers often assume that a mover's general business insurance means every item in their shipment is automatically insured for its full replacement value. That's not necessarily the case.
Ask the mover to clearly explain the valuation or liability options available for your move.
Before moving day, understand:
- What protection is automatically included?
- Are additional valuation options available?
- Is there an additional charge?
- Are there limits on certain high-value items?
- Are there items the mover will not accept responsibility for?
- How does the claims process work?
If you own particularly valuable artwork, jewelry, antiques, collectibles or other high-value property, discuss those items with your mover—and potentially your own insurance professional—before the move.
6. Look Beyond the Star Rating
Online reviews are extremely useful, but don't stop at the average rating.
Read the actual reviews.
Look for patterns involving:
Communication. Did the company answer questions and keep customers informed?
Accuracy. Was the final cost reasonably consistent with what the customer expected?
Care. Did crews protect furniture and the home?
Professionalism. Did employees arrive prepared and behave professionally?
Problem resolution. When something went wrong, how did the company respond?
Also look at the history of the reviews. A company with a long record of customer feedback provides more information than a handful of recent five-star ratings.
No moving company that performs thousands of moves will have a perfect experience every single time. How a company responds when something doesn't go perfectly can tell you just as much as its five-star reviews.
7. Find Out Who Will Be in Your Home
Movers spend hours inside your home and handle virtually everything you own.
It's reasonable to ask who those people are.
Ask whether the company uses its own trained employees, temporary labor, subcontractors or some combination.
You can also ask about:
- Employee training
- Background screening
- Crew supervision
- Workers' compensation coverage
- Safety procedures
Established movers invest heavily in their crews because experienced moving professionals make an enormous difference.
8. Make Sure the Company Has the Right Equipment
A professional moving operation requires much more than a truck.
Depending on your move, a company may need furniture pads, floor protection, dollies, straps, ramps, wardrobe cartons, specialty equipment and properly maintained commercial vehicles.
For larger moves, ask whether the mover has enough equipment and personnel to handle the move efficiently—particularly during the busy spring and summer moving season.
9. Consider What Happens if Your Closing Dates Don't Match
This is particularly important in Bergen County.
Real-estate transactions don't always happen on perfectly coordinated schedules. Your home may sell before the new one is ready, a closing may be delayed, or construction may take longer than expected.
Ask prospective movers:
“What happens if I need storage unexpectedly?”
A full-service mover with its own storage capabilities may be able to move your belongings into storage and deliver them when your new residence becomes available.
Understanding those options before moving day can eliminate a tremendous amount of stress if plans change.
10. Ask About Certificates of Insurance for Condos and Apartments
Many condominiums, apartment buildings and managed properties require movers to provide a Certificate of Insurance, commonly called a COI.
Requirements vary from building to building.
If you're moving into or out of a property with management, contact the building well in advance and ask about:
- Insurance requirements
- Elevator reservations
- Approved moving hours
- Loading areas
- Parking restrictions
- Move-in or move-out deposits
- Required documentation
Send those requirements to your mover before moving day.
An experienced Bergen County mover should be very familiar with this process.
11. Choose a Mover That Knows Bergen County
Local experience matters more than many people realize.
Moving in Bergen County can involve everything from large single-family homes in suburban neighborhoods to high-rise buildings along the Hudson River.
Parking restrictions, narrow streets, steep driveways, building requirements, elevator reservations, municipal regulations and truck access can all affect a move.
A company familiar with communities such as Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes, Mahwah, Ramsey, Paramus, Glen Rock, Tenafly, Englewood, Fort Lee and the surrounding areas is more likely to anticipate these issues before the truck arrives.
12. Think About Your Entire Move, Not Just Moving Day
Sometimes the best moving company isn't simply the company that can provide a truck and three movers.
Consider everything you may need:
- Packing
- Packing supplies
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Short-term storage
- Long-term storage
- Specialty-item moving
- Interstate moving
- Commercial moving
- Disposal or removal coordination
Using one experienced company for multiple parts of the move can simplify communication and reduce the number of vendors you need to coordinate.
13. Ask What Happens When Something Goes Wrong
This may be the most revealing question you can ask.
Try asking:
“If there's a problem with my move, who do I call?”
You want a clear answer.
Moving involves people, trucks, weather, traffic, buildings, furniture and constantly changing circumstances. Even excellent movers occasionally encounter problems.
What separates strong moving companies from weak ones is often what happens next.
Is there a real office?
Can you reach someone?
Is there a manager empowered to resolve the issue?
Does the company stand behind its work?
Accountability matters.
Red Flags When Choosing a Moving Company
Be cautious if a mover:
- Won't clearly explain its licensing or insurance
- Won't tell you who will actually perform the move
- Provides a dramatically lower estimate without explaining why
- Requests an unusually large upfront payment
- Gives vague answers about additional charges
- Doesn't provide written documentation
- Can't clearly explain damage or claims procedures
- Has little verifiable business history
- Pressures you to book immediately
- Seems difficult to reach before you've even hired them
Trust your instincts. If getting straightforward answers is difficult during the sales process, communication probably won't improve once your belongings are on the truck.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bergen County Mover
Before making your decision, ask each company the same questions:
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you licensed and insured for my move?
- Will your employees perform my move?
- How was my estimate calculated?
- What could cause the final price to change?
- What protection is included for my belongings?
- What additional valuation options are available?
- Can you provide storage if my plans change?
- Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance if my building requires one?
- Who do I contact if there's a problem?
- Do you regularly perform moves in my town?
- What should I do before moving day to make the move go smoothly?
A professional mover should welcome these questions.
Booth Movers — Serving Northern New Jersey Since 1945.
Booth Movers has been serving Northern New Jersey since 1945.
Over eight decades, we've moved generations of families through Bergen County and beyond. We've watched the equipment, technology, homes and communities change, but we've built our business around principles that haven't changed: careful planning, experienced people, straightforward communication and accountability.
We believe an educated customer makes better decisions. That's why the advice in this guide applies whether you ultimately choose Booth Movers or another qualified moving company.
Do your homework. Compare more than price. Ask questions. Verify credentials. Understand what you're signing.
And choose a mover you feel comfortable trusting with everything that's coming with you to your next home.
Planning a Move in Bergen County?
If you're considering a move within Bergen County, elsewhere in New Jersey or out of state, the Booth Movers team can help you understand your options and prepare an estimate based on your specific move.
Booth Movers — Serving Northern New Jersey Since 1945.
Written by Adam Padla, President, 3rd Generation, Booth Movers, Ltd.
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