Moving is always a big deal. You’re not just changing your address; you’re packing up your entire life. It’s overwhelming. And the last thing you need is to hand over all your worldly possessions to a moving company you can’t trust.
Unfortunately, the moving industry has its share of “rogue movers.” These are the companies that give you a lowball quote, load up your stuff, and then hold it hostage for double or triple the price. Or worse, they just disappear.
We’ve been in this business a long time, and we’ve seen the heartbreak caused by a bad moving company. We want to help you avoid that. This guide is about spotting the moving company red flags before you hire them, so your move is smooth and safe.
Why Vetting Your Mover Is Essential
So, why put in all this effort? Why not just pick the cheapest name you find online?
Because hiring a moving company isn’t like ordering a pizza. You are handing over your furniture, your family heirlooms, your computers… everything. A few hours of research on the front end can save you months of headaches, lost items, and hidden fees.
A good vetting process separates the professional movers from the fly-by-night outfits. It’s the difference between a team that shows up on time and handles your items with care, and one that shows up in a rented U-Haul with no idea what they’re doing. This step is about protecting your property and your peace of mind.
Red Flag 1: Lack Of License And Insurance
This is the big one. The absolute non-negotiable.
Every legitimate moving company must have a moving company license to operate. For interstate moves (crossing state lines), they need a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For local movers within Florida, they must be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Ask for these numbers. If they hesitate, hang up. If they give you a number, go online and verify it.
The same goes for moving company insurance. They should be able to provide proof of both liability coverage (for your items) and workers’ compensation (for their crew). If they can’t, or if they just say “don’t worry, we’re insured,” that’s a massive red flag. It means if one of their movers gets hurt in your home, you could be liable.
Red Flag 2: Demanding Cash-Only Payments
Run. Seriously. If a mover says they only take cash or asks for a massive cash moving company deposit upfront, run the other way.
Think about it. What legitimate, established business operates on a cash-only basis in this day and age? Professional movers will accept major credit cards. This gives you a layer of protection. If they fail to provide the service, you can dispute the charge.
Cash is untraceable. It’s the preferred payment method for rogue movers who plan to take your money and provide poor service, or no service at all. While a reasonable deposit is standard (to reserve your date), it should never be a huge sum and you should always be able to pay it with a card.
Red Flag 3: Vague Estimates Without An In-Home Visit
“Oh yeah, for a 3-bedroom house… that’ll be $800.”
If you hear a quote like this over the phone after a 2-minute conversation, be very suspicious. This is one of the most common moving company red flags. There is simply no way for a mover to know the true scope of your move without seeing your belongings.
Do you have a piano? A heavy antique armoire? Are there three flights of stairs? What about the long carry from the truck to your front door? All these factors change the price.
Reputable companies will schedule an in-home visit or a detailed video walkthrough. After this assessment, they will provide a detailed, written moving estimate. This document should list the inventory and the services included. A vague “per-hour” quote with no details is a setup for a final bill that is double or triple what you were told.
Red Flag 4: Poor Or Non-Existent Online Reviews
In 2025, every established business has an online footprint. If you search for a company and find nothing—no Google Business Profile, no Yelp page, no reviews—that’s a problem. It could mean they’re a brand-new company, or worse, a bad moving company that keeps changing its name to escape its terrible reputation.
On the flip side, what if they do have reviews, but they’re all terrible? Pay attention to the content of the moving company reviews, not just the star rating.
Look for patterns. Are multiple people complaining about the same things? “They showed up 5 hours late.” “My final bill was $1,000 more than the quote.” “They broke my dresser and refused to pay for it.” These are clear warnings from people who have already been burned. Also, be wary of a company with only glowing, five-star reviews that all sound the same. They could be fake.
Red Flag 5: No Physical Address Or Professional Website
This one seems basic, but it trips people up. Hiring a moving company means trusting a real business, and real businesses have real addresses.
Check their website or “contact us” page. Do they list a physical address? If they do, plug it into Google Maps. What do you see? Is it a warehouse with branded trucks out front, or is it a residential home or a P.O. Box at a UPS Store?
A company that hides its physical location is hiding for a reason. They don’t want you to know where to find them when your belongings go missing. A professional website, branded trucks, and a clear physical location are all signs of a legitimate, stable operation.
Red Flag 6: Unprofessional Communication
Your first interaction with a mover tells you a lot. When you call, how do they answer? Is it a professional greeting, like “Stairmasters Moving, how can I help you?” Or is it just… “Hello?”
Pay attention to the details. Are their emails full of typos and coming from a generic Gmail or Yahoo account? Are they using high-pressure sales tactics, telling you the “special price” is only good for the next hour?
If the staff is rude, disorganized, or pushy during the sales process, imagine what the moving crew will be like on moving day. Unprofessional communication is a sign of a disorganized and unaccountable business. This is your moving help; you deserve to be treated with respect.
Red Flag 7: Refusal To Provide A Written Contract
If it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen. A verbal quote or agreement is not a contract. It’s completely unenforceable.
A professional mover will provide you with a detailed, written moving contract. In the moving industry, this is often called the Bill of Lading. This document is your single most important piece of paper. It outlines the services being provided, the inventory, the agreed-upon price (or the rate and how it’s calculated), and the insurance/liability coverage you’ve selected.
Never, ever let a moving crew start loading your possessions without a signed Bill of Lading in your hand. A company that refuses to provide one, or gives you a blank one to sign, is planning to take advantage of you. This is how to spot a bad mover 101.
How To Find A Trustworthy Jacksonville Mover
Okay, so we’ve covered all the scary stuff. How do you actually find one of the good guys? Finding trustworthy Jacksonville movers is entirely possible if you’re patient.
First, ask for recommendations. Talk to friends, family, or your real estate agent. A personal referral is powerful.
Second, do your homework. For local movers in Florida, check their registration with the FDACS. For any move, check their reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Third, get at least three different in-home estimates. This lets you compare not just the prices, but the professionalism and thoroughness of each company. You’ll get a gut feeling for who is organized and honest.
A trustworthy company will be transparent. They will gladly show you their license and insurance, provide a detailed written estimate, and answer all your questions without pressure. We, for example, build our entire business on that transparency.