How to Vet a Moving Company in the DMV

1. Confirm the legal entity

Ask for the registered company name as well as the brand on the truck. Many movers trade under a name that differs from their legal entity, which is normal. Refusing to tell you the entity is a warning sign.

Once you have it, search the state register. Maryland has Business Express. DC's business register is run by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Virginia's is run by the State Corporation Commission. Look for an active status and a formation date that matches what you were told.

2. Check the right registration for your move

Which registration applies depends on where the truck goes.

• Between states. The carrier needs a USDOT number and has to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to move household goods. Search the number on FMCSA's company lookup and confirm the name matches.
• Within Maryland. Movers that charge for household moves using a commercial motor vehicle have to be registered with the Maryland Department of Labor, which keeps a searchable list. The requirement has been enforced since March 1, 2026.
• Within Virginia. For-hire movers need operating authority from the Virginia DMV. Moves of 30 miles or less fall under property carrier authority, and longer ones under household goods carrier authority.
• Within DC. Check the business registration and ask for proof of insurance.
• A mover who gives you a number that does not match their name is a bigger concern than one who explains which registration applies to them.

3. Ask for a certificate of insurance

A certificate of insurance is a one-page form from the mover's insurer. Check that the dates cover your move day and that the limits meet what your building requires. Buildings in DC and Bethesda commonly ask for $1,000,000 of general liability and want to be named on the certificate, and some also ask for auto liability and workers' compensation.

A mover who works in buildings regularly will send this without fuss. Hesitation here tells you a lot.

4. Get the price in writing before any money moves

You want a flat rate or a binding estimate, in writing, that lists what is included, meaning the crew size, the truck, wrapping and padding, stairs, and any long carry. A spoken estimate is how a $600 move becomes $1,400 on the day.

Ask what would change the price. An honest answer is a short, specific list.

5. Treat a large deposit as a warning

A small deposit to hold a date, with refund terms in writing, is normal. A demand for half the job up front, or for cash or a wire transfer only, is the most common pattern in real moving scams.

For reference, our own hold is a flat $100. It comes off the final bill, is refunded in full if we cancel, and is not refunded if you cancel.

6. Read the reviews properly

The number of reviews is useful, but it favors older companies and says little about a newer crew. Read for detail. Do the reviews name crew members, describe specific buildings and neighborhoods, and cover recent months? Ten detailed local reviews tell you more than two hundred generic ones.

Look at how the company answers a bad review. A calm, specific reply shows how you will be treated if something goes wrong.

7. Ask how damage is handled

Before you book, ask two questions. What coverage applies to my things by default? How do I file a claim? Basic coverage on most moves is based on weight, often 60 cents a pound, which is far less than most items are worth. A mover with a written claims process will be able to describe it in a sentence.

Where these rules come from

Registration rules were last checked in October 2026 against the Maryland Department of Labor, the Virginia DMV, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Confirm on their sites, since requirements change.