Most bad moving stories begin with a decision made on price alone, or on a phone call that never included a look at the home. A calm, ordered process protects you better than hunting for the lowest number. This guide gives that process in plain steps.
Step 1: confirm the registration
Every mover carrying goods across state lines needs registration with FMCSA, and a mover working only inside Nevada needs authority from the Nevada Transportation Authority. Ask for the legal name, the U.S. DOT number and the MC number, and check them as described in how to check a mover's USDOT number. O'Brien's holds U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375 and Nevada CPCN 1070.
Step 2: ask for a survey, not a guess
Federal rules require an interstate mover to survey your goods before a written estimate, in person or by video. Any mover who quotes a final number by phone without seeing the home is guessing. An estimator at your home also sees the stairs, the driveway, the pool table in the garage and the furniture that will not fit through a door, which is information a form cannot capture.
Step 3: compare estimates on equal terms
Put the estimates side by side and check that each lists the same rooms, packing, storage, valuation level and estimate type. A binding estimate fixes the price for the services it lists; a non-binding one follows actual weight, with a 110 percent limit at delivery on interstate moves. The questions to ask movers make the comparison easier.
Step 4: read reviews with care
Read recent reviews on Google and look for details about the crew, the care taken and how problems were handled. A pattern across many reviews says more than any single story. Read the reviews O'Brien's has received on the reviews page, and compare them with those of any other company on your list.
Step 5: meet the people and read the paperwork
- Ask who will estimate, who will load and who answers the phone on the day.
- Ask how long the company has served your area. O'Brien's has been family owned since 1941.
- Confirm that the estimate shows how storage, packing and delivery are handled.
- Read the bill of lading and inventory before signing (see bill of lading explained).
Signs to slow down
Slow down if a company asks for a large cash deposit before paperwork, will not name its carrier, cannot show a USDOT number, or pressures you to sign the same day. The FMCSA booklet advises keeping every receipt if cash is demanded and avoiding movers that refuse a physical survey. A reputable mover is comfortable with questions and gives answers in writing.