Should I book with a broker or directly with a mover?

A mover (the carrier) owns the trucks and employs the crew. A broker owns neither — it takes your booking and sells the job to a mover, often one you've never heard of.

Brokers are legal and must be registered, but the estimate is only as good as the mover who ends up with your job, and on moving day you're dealing with a company you didn't choose. The deposit usually goes to the broker.

Booking directly means the company that quoted you is the one that turns up, and there's one company to hold to the price.

Ask every company: are you the mover or a broker? Do your own crews and trucks do the job? Then look up the USDOT number at protectyourmove.gov — the listing says carrier or broker.

Source: FMCSA, Protect Your Move FAQs · Checked October 2026