How to Check a Moving Company in Pennsylvania: BBB, USDOT and PUC

Your whole home goes on a truck with a crew you just met. So it pays to check them first. The good news? It takes just a few minutes.

This guide shows you where to look and what to look for. We use our own records as the model. That way you can see what a clean, licensed mover looks like.

Step 1: Check the Mover’s BBB Profile

Start at bbb.org. Search the name and town. Make sure the address is a real office, not a mail box.

Next, look at three things on the page:

• ✓The letter grade. Ratings run from A+ down to F.
• ✓The seal. Movers with the BBB seal agree to follow its Standards for Trust.
• ✓Complaints. Read how the mover replied. A calm, fair reply says a lot.

Years count too. A long BBB file gives you more to judge. LiteMovers opened its BBB file in 2008. You can see our BBB profile here.

Step 2: Look Up the USDOT Number

Each mover that crosses state lines must have a USDOT number. It also needs an MC number. That shows it can haul goods for pay from state to state.

You can look up both for free through the FMCSA Protect Your Move tool. Type in the number from the mover’s site or truck.

• ✓Check that the legal name matches the company you called.
• ✓Make sure the status says the mover is active.
• ✓Look at the safety record and how many trucks and drivers it has.

Out-of-state movers must also hand you the booklet called Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. Our FMCSA guide for movers sums up the rules in plain words.

Step 3: Confirm the PA PUC License

PA has its own rule for moves in the state. A mover that hauls home goods from one PA town to the next needs a license from the PA Public Utility Commission.

This counts most for local moves. Say you move from Wayne to West Chester. Your mover should show a PUC number on its site, its quote and its bill of lading.

LiteMovers holds PA PUC license A-8916211. You will find it on the forms for each local Philadelphia-area move.

Step 4: Get an In-Person or Video Estimate

A good mover wants to see what you own. That means a walk-through at your home or a live video call. A quote made in two minutes on the phone is just a guess.

• ✓Ask for the estimate in writing.
• ✓Make sure it lists stairs, long walks and big things like a piano.
• ✓Ask what comes with it, like packing, wrap and setup.
• ✓Ask how storage works if your dates don’t line up.

If you need room between closings, ask about packing and storage. Our moving FAQ page covers more questions to ask.

Red Flags to Watch For

Most movers are honest. But moving scams do happen. These signs should make you stop and look close:

• ✓A large cash deposit before move day.
• ✓No street address, or just a mail drop.
• ✓No USDOT, MC or PUC number to share.
• ✓A rental truck with no company name on it.
• ✓A name that changes on the phone, the quote and the truck.
• ✓A push to sign a blank form.

Moving a mom or dad? Take more care. Seniors are a top target. Our senior moving team walks families through each step.

LiteMovers Credentials at a Glance

LiteMovers is a family-owned moving and storage firm. We have served the Philly area since 2007. Our office is on East Church Road in King of Prussia.

We were also voted Best of Main Line. Read what folks say on our customer reviews page. Moving out of state? See our long-distance moving services.

For a deeper look at hiring, read how to choose a moving company in Philadelphia.

Moving Company FAQs