Most people pick a moving company the same way they pick a restaurant — they look at the reviews, check the price, and go with their gut. That works well enough sometimes. But moving companies handle everything you own, and the wrong choice can cost you far more than the moving bill. Asking the right questions upfront takes ten minutes and can save you serious grief.
Questions About Credentials and Legitimacy
Start here, before anything else. A company that can't answer these questions clearly and quickly is a company worth being skeptical of.
What is your Georgia HHG license number? (Required for intrastate moves in Georgia — verify with Georgia DPS) · What is your USDOT number? (Required for all commercial movers — look it up at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) · Are you registered with FMCSA for interstate moves, if applicable? · Are you BBB accredited, and what is your current rating? · Can you provide proof of cargo insurance and general liability coverage?
Questions About Pricing and the Estimate
Moving estimates vary widely, and so does the integrity behind them. Understanding how a company structures its pricing — and what the estimate actually commits to — is essential before you hand over a deposit.
Is this estimate binding or non-binding? What happens if the job takes longer than expected? · What is included in the quoted price? Are packing materials, fuel, stairs, and long carries extra? · Are there any fees that might be added on move day that aren't in this quote? · How and when is payment collected — and what forms do you accept?
· What deposit, if any, is required upfront?
Questions About the Crew and the Process
Who actually shows up to move you matters. Some companies subcontract their moves — meaning the crew that arrives is not the company's own employees. That's not always a problem, but it changes the accountability structure significantly.
Will your own employees be doing the move, or do you use subcontractors? · How many crew members will be assigned to my move? · Do you have experience with my specific building type (high-rise, historic home, HOA community)? · What equipment do you bring, and do you use furniture pads and floor protection? · What is your process if an item is damaged during the move?
At Bears Moving Co., every one of these questions has a straight answer. We hold Georgia HHG license #9320, carry full insurance, use our own trained crews, and provide written estimates with clear terms. We believe the companies worth hiring have nothing to hesitate about when you ask.
Red flags to listen for on the call
No Georgia HHG certificate number or USDOT number offered when you ask directly. · A quote given over the phone with no questions about stairs, parking, or inventory. · A large non-refundable deposit required to hold the date. · A refusal to send the estimate in writing, or an estimate with no crew size on it.
· A company name that does not match the name on the license or the insurance certificate.
What good answers sound like
A legitimate Atlanta mover will give you their license numbers without hesitation, ask about square footage, floor, elevator access, and parking before quoting, and describe exactly what the hourly rate includes. They will tell you a realistic time range rather than a best case, explain the difference between released-value and full-value protection, and offer to issue a certificate of insurance to your building.
If they cannot answer what happens when a truck breaks down or how a damage claim is filed, keep looking.
Verify before you book
Check the Georgia HHG certificate with the Department of Public Safety and the USDOT number on the FMCSA SAFER site, which shows operating authority, insurance on file, and inspection history. Read recent reviews for patterns rather than for star counts — repeated mentions of price changes on move day matter far more than one bad day. Two minutes of verification prevents the most expensive mistake in the whole process.
Call us: (404) 514-4814 · Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm · Licensed GA HHG #9320 · BBB A+