2961 Hunter Mill Rd, Ste 631, Oakton, VA 22124

How to Choose the Best Local Moving Company

Advice on how to find and hire a reputable professional local moving company for your move. Steps to choosing the right mover.


Choosing the right local moving company initially requires a bit of effort on your part but is a very important step in your relocation journey. If you make a good choice and hire a reputable professional local mover, they will not only help you physically move your furniture, but will assist and guide you through the planning of your move – from best timing for your elevator reservation to choosing proper packing supplies. Follow our tips on carefully checking your potential movers and selecting the best moving company to ensure a great moving day for you.

Ask Family, Friends and Co-Workers for Referrals

Word of mouth works wonders when it comes to finding a reliable moving company you can trust. Talk to people and ask around, see if they or someone they know and trust has recently moved and hired a moving company. Find out about their experience good or bad,  and whether they would recommend the mover they worked with.

Read Online Reviews

There will be no shortage of results in any search engine if you search for a local mover online. In fact, you might feel overwhelmed at the wide variety of moving service providers nearby. Good sites to check the reviews on are Google, the Better Business Bureau website , Angie’s List  (which now offers free membership!) and Yelp. Pay close attention to the reviews for the companies you are considering hiring and use your judgement to filter through those you can trust. Read both positive and negative reviews.  Pay close attention to company’s response to less-than-happy reviews to really understand the situation before letting reviews affect your opinion of a moving company. Pick 3-5 moving companies that look trustworthy to you.

Screen Your Potentials Movers to Avoid Moving Scam

Call the moving companies you are considering hiring and ask them plenty of questions. It’s important that you get to talk to a real person and get a feel for the company culture, customer service style and your level of comfort communicating with them.  Visit their website and verify their Federal Motor Carrier (MC) number on FMCSA official website . Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that interests you and clarify specific details of your move. Ask about moving any special oversized items that require extra care like fish tanks, pianos, pool tables, gun safes, pet cages, live plants and whatever else you have in your home that needs to be moved. Provide accurate descriptions and quantities of your furniture pieces and other belongings to your mover. The more specific and thorough you are in this step, the more accurate your moving quote will be. Moving estimate can usually be obtained over the phone by calling the moving company of your choice, or by going to their website and filling out a moving estimate form similar to this one which most moving companies have easily accessible online. Once you have obtained your moving quote, make sure to contact your mover if you have any questions at all. Any reputable moving company will be happy to explain everything in detail and clarify anything you might need more information about. We at Potomac Moving Company, add a personal touch to every move and assign a dedicated move coordinator to each and every move, who is always there for you, reachable by cell phone and email – before, during and after your move completion.

Need Additional Moving Advice?

If you’re not sure whether you can afford professional movers, check out our blog post about “Cost of Hiring Professional Movers vs DIY Moving”. If you need advice on packing, read our “How to Pack Like a Pro” article.

If you have any questions about your upcoming move, give us a call here at Potomac Moving Company at 888-505-3385 and get honest, straightforward advice from our professional, experienced and down right awesome team!  Happy moving!

You can also check out the Frequently Asked Moving Questions Section on our website and browse the selection of our packing supplies. If you would like to know how much your move will cost, please submit the Moving Estimate Request and we will get back to with your personal quote right away!