Statewide planning Check Texas authority for the route
For an intrastate household-goods move in Texas, ask the performing motor carrier for its legal name and TxDMV certificate details, then confirm an Active certificate through TxDMV before booking. Match the name in any official record to the legal entity on the estimate and contract.
- For an intrastate household-goods move in Texas, ask the performing motor carrier for its legal name and TxDMV certificate details, then confirm an Active certificate through TxDMV before booking.
- For an interstate move, use FMCSA records to confirm the performing carrier or broker and its current household-goods authority.
- A USDOT number alone does not prove state authority, insurance, service quality, or endorsement.
- Match the legal entity on the official record to the estimate and contract.
Statewide planning Confirm the performing legal entity
Ask who will physically transport the household goods and whether that entity is acting as a carrier or broker. Compare the legal name, authority record, estimate, contract, and payment instructions before booking.
- Ask each company for the legal name and license number that would appear on your proposal.
- Search the TxDMV Truck Stop Motor Carrier Lookup for the company by name or number.
- Confirm the record shows an active status rather than a lapsed or inactive one.
- Match the name on the license record to the name on your proposal so the paperwork describes the same business.
Statewide planning Comparing written proposals instead of promises
Because verbal descriptions are easy to blur together, ask each licensed mover for a written proposal that covers the same inventory, the same origin and destination addresses, and the same list of services. Written proposals make differences visible: how each company counts travel time, what valuation or loss-and-damage options are included, which items need special handling, and what happens if the plan changes on moving day. Comparing documents rather than phone calls is the simplest way to keep the decision neutral.
- Give every company the same inventory list and addresses so the proposals describe the same job.
- Ask how travel time, stairs, long carries, and packing materials are reflected in the written proposal.
- Request the valuation and claims options in writing and keep them with the estimate.
- Keep every proposal so you can compare the documents side by side rather than relying on memory.
Statewide planning Planning a move anywhere in Texas
For a move within Texas, give every company the exact addresses, date, inventory, requested services, property rules, truck access, carrying distance, and route constraints. Check current weather and road conditions close to the date and put delay, travel, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
- Give every company the same move date, addresses, inventory, and requested services.
- Document stairs, elevators, gates, truck access, and carrying distance at both addresses.
- Check current weather and road conditions close to the move date.
- Put travel, delay, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
Official resources Check current records and local guidance
Rules and public records can change. Use these official sources to confirm the requirements and access details that apply to your route and addresses.