6 Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring a Moving Company in NY

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

6 Warning Signs of Unreliable Moving Services in NY

1. No Physical Address or Company Website
2. Vague or No Written Estimates
3. Extremely Low Prices
4. No License or Valuation
5. Poor or No Reviews
6. Demands Large Upfront Deposits

Frequently Asked Questions

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Key Takeaways ✔ A missing physical address or website may indicate the company is untraceable or not a legitimate business. ✔ Lack of clear, written estimates often leads to unexpected charges and unclear service terms. ✔ Extremely low pricing can be a tactic to lure clients before adding hidden fees later. ✔ Without proper licensing and valuation, customers are left unprotected in case of damage or loss. ✔ A pattern of poor reviews—or none at all—signals inconsistent service or lack of credibility. ✔ Large upfront deposits increase the risk of scams and reduce accountability before the job is done

Hiring the right moving company can make all the difference between a smooth relocation and a stressful experience. In a busy and competitive market like New York, it’s especially important to stay alert for signs of unreliable or dishonest movers. Being aware of common warning signs can help prevent loss, delays, and unnecessary costs.

Here are 6 red flags to avoid when hiring a moving company in NY.

6 Warning Signs of Unreliable Moving Services in NY

1. No Physical Address or Company Website

Hiring a moving company in NY without a verifiable physical address or an active company website is a major warning sign. Reputable moving businesses should be easy to locate both online and offline. If a company makes it difficult to find basic information, it could mean they lack credibility, experience, or legal standing to operate.

Why This Matters

A physical location and company website are not just about convenience — they are indicators of transparency, legitimacy, and professionalism. When these elements are missing, it raises serious concerns about how the company operates and whether they can be trusted with personal belongings.

• Lack of Accountability: If a moving company doesn’t have a real address, customers have nowhere to turn if something goes wrong. This makes it harder to file a complaint, request a refund, or report damages.
  
• Harder to Verify Legitimacy: A professional website often includes key information like license numbers, valuation details, and client reviews. Without this, customers can’t confirm whether the company is legally allowed to operate in NY.
  
• No Way to Visit or Contact Easily: A business without a known location or contact page may disappear after taking a deposit or delivering poor service. In-person visits or reliable communication methods help prevent misunderstandings and fraud.
  
• Poor Transparency: Companies that avoid sharing basic contact information may also be hiding other details, such as pricing, service limitations, or previous customer disputes.

What to Look for Instead

Before choosing any moving company in NY, customers should make sure they can easily find the company’s address, verify their website, and reach out to someone directly. These signs show the company takes its reputation and responsibilities seriously.

• Complete Business Address: A legitimate company will list a real street address, not just a P.O. Box or vague city location. This helps confirm the business operates locally and is more than just a temporary setup.
  
• Professional Website: A detailed website should include services offered, pricing information, moving tips, and company history. It should also be secure, up-to-date, and easy to navigate.
  
• Verified Contact Info: Reliable businesses list working phone numbers, support email addresses, and sometimes live chat or social media for added accessibility. This makes it easier to get answers and stay informed throughout the moving process.
  
• Presence on Trusted Platforms: In addition to their website, reputable movers are often listed on review sites, business directories, and state licensing boards. These platforms add another layer of trust and allow customers to read real feedback.

2. Vague or No Written Estimates

Not getting a clear, written estimate from a moving company can lead to confusion, unexpected charges, and disputes that are difficult to resolve. Choosing a mover without proper documentation can be a costly mistake.

Why Verbal Agreements Are Risky

Relying on a verbal agreement instead of a written estimate leaves too much room for misunderstanding and manipulation. Without documented terms, there is no way to prove what was promised.

• No Proof of Cost: If the price is only discussed verbally, the mover can raise the rate later without any way to challenge it. A written estimate protects against unexpected fees.
  
• No Clear Scope of Work: A vague agreement can result in the mover claiming certain services—like disassembling furniture or carrying items up stairs—were not included, even if discussed earlier.
  
• No Legal Backup: In the event of a dispute, a written estimate can serve as legal evidence. Without it, there’s little support for claims about what was agreed upon.
  
• Easier to Change Terms: Movers working without written documentation may change the terms or timeline at the last minute, leaving customers with limited options.
  
• No Transparency: When everything is verbal, the customer has no way of verifying what services are covered or how the total cost was calculated.

Why Get Detailed, Written Quotes

A detailed, written estimate provides clarity, transparency, and peace of mind. A professional moving company in NY should always offer written documentation outlining the services, costs, and terms before any work begins.

• Breakdown of Services: A complete quote should list all services included, such as packing, unpacking, furniture wrapping, and loading/unloading. This helps avoid miscommunication on moving day.
  
• Accurate Pricing Structure: The estimate should indicate if it’s a binding quote (guaranteed price), non-binding (price may change), or not-to-exceed (won’t go above a set amount). This allows customers to budget properly.
  
• Company Information and Licensing: A formal estimate typically includes the company’s full name, business address, phone number, and license number, which adds legitimacy and makes the company easier to verify.
  
• Terms and Conditions: Written quotes usually mention cancellation policies, payment methods, timing, and any additional charges. This ensures both parties understand the rules upfront.
  
• Protection Against Scams: Scammers are less likely to provide written documents. Having everything in writing is one of the easiest ways to identify a trustworthy mover.
  

3. Extremely Low Prices

Some moving companies in NY may advertise unusually low prices to attract customers. While it may seem like a great deal at first, these offers often come with risks. In many cases, the low price is a sign of poor service, hidden charges, or dishonest practices.

Why “Too Good To Be True” Deals Are a Red Flag

A legitimate moving company in NY must cover basic business costs such as labor, transportation, licensing, and valuation. If the quoted price seems far below average, it usually means something is being left out—or added later without warning.

• Hidden Fees Later On: Some companies will offer a low estimate at first, then tack on additional charges for things like stairs, long carries, packing materials, or even fuel on moving day.
  
• Untrained or Inexperienced Movers: To cut costs, a company might send underqualified workers who lack the skills or equipment to handle belongings properly, increasing the risk of damage.
  
• Bait-and-Switch Tactics: In some cases, a company may quote a low price to secure the booking, only to demand much more once the move is underway—leaving the customer with no real choice but to pay.
  

4. No License or Valuation

Hiring a moving company in NY without a proper license or valuation may seem like a shortcut, but it can lead to serious problems. NY has strict rules in place to protect people during moves, and those rules only apply if the company follows the law. Unlicensed movers are not only breaking the rules—they’re putting customers at risk.

Why Licensing Matters in NY

In NY State, moving companies must register with the NY State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to legally perform local moves within state lines. For moves that cross state borders, movers must also have a valid license from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

• State Compliance: A licensed company meets NY’s legal standards for safety, professionalism, and operation. Without this, the company is technically operating illegally.
  
• Trackable and Verified: NY-licensed movers have a registration number that can be verified through public databases, giving customers a way to check if the business is real and in good standing.
  
• Regulatory Oversight: Licensed companies are subject to inspections and reviews by state or federal agencies, which helps prevent fraud and unsafe practices.

Why Valuation is Crucial

Accidents can happen even with the most careful movers. That’s why valuation is not optional—it’s essential. A moving company in NY should carry both liability and cargo valuation to protect the customer, their belongings, and the crew.

• Protection Against Property Damage: Whether it’s a scratched hardwood floor in a Brooklyn brownstone or broken furniture in a high-rise Manhattan apartment, companies with valuation can cover repair or replacement costs.
  
• Coverage for Lost or Stolen Items: If belongings go missing, customers have a way to file a claim and receive compensation.
  
• Liability for Injury: Valuation also protects the customer if a mover gets injured on their property, reducing the chance of personal legal exposure.

What Can Happen Without Proper Licensing or Valuation

In a city as busy and complex as NY, working with an unlicensed mover can quickly become a nightmare. The legal protections normally in place won’t apply, and customers are often left with few options if something goes wrong.

• No Way to File a Complaint: Without a license, there’s no government agency overseeing the company’s actions, making it nearly impossible to report bad service or misconduct.
  
• Full Financial Responsibility: If a mover drops a TV or damages an expensive sofa during a walk-up move in the Bronx, the customer may have to pay for all repairs or replacements out of pocket.
  
• Higher Risk of Scams: Rogue movers may demand payment upfront and then fail to show up—or worse, hold belongings hostage for additional fees. In fact, a 2023 survey reported that the average victim of a moving scam lost $836 for that year alone.

5. Poor or No Reviews

Hiring a moving company in NY without checking its reviews can lead to serious issues. A lack of online feedback or a pattern of negative comments often signals poor service or even potential scams. While a few bad reviews are common for any business, consistent red flags in customer feedback should not be ignored.

Why Reviews Matter

Online reviews offer real insights into how a company treats its customers, how they handle belongings, and how reliable their services are. It’s one of the easiest ways to filter out unreliable movers before signing a contract.

Where to Check for Reliable Reviews

Not all review sources are created equal. Third-party platforms offer a more balanced view than a company’s own website.

• Google Reviews: Provides ratings, detailed customer experiences, and patterns over time.
  
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Offers company ratings, complaint history, and how the company responds to issues.
  
• Yelp: Highlights both positive and negative experiences with detailed user reviews.
  
• Trustpilot: A growing platform where customers leave in-depth feedback on services.
  
• Consumer Affairs: Useful for checking complaints, unresolved issues, and general satisfaction.

Warning Signs in Reviews

Knowing what to look for in customer feedback helps identify risk.

• Repeated Mentions of Damaged Items: Suggests poor handling or lack of care during the move.
  
• Complaints About Hidden Fees: Indicates that the company may not be transparent with its pricing.
  
• Unprofessional Behavior: Reviews mentioning rude staff or missed appointments reflect poor service standards.
  
• Fake-Looking Reviews: Overly positive, generic reviews posted in clusters may be fabricated. A former U.S. federal criminal investigator has stated that so many online reviews are paid and fake that relying on them for guidance is no longer trustworthy. 

6. Demands Large Upfront Deposits

Some moving companies may request a large portion of the payment before any work begins. While it might seem like a standard business practice, this is actually a major red flag when dealing with a moving company in NY. 

Why Large Deposits Are a Red Flag

Paying a significant amount before the move increases the risk of loss and reduces the moving company’s accountability. This is especially concerning in a busy market like NY, where moving scams are not uncommon.

• Lack of Accountability: Once a large deposit is collected, some companies may feel less pressure to deliver quality service. They might arrive late, rush the job, or handle belongings carelessly—knowing they’ve already been paid.
  
• Limited Payment Protection: Payments made in cash, through untraceable apps, or without a written receipt leave no paper trail. This makes it difficult for customers to dispute charges or seek legal help if something goes wrong.

What Reputable Movers Typically Do

Trustworthy movers follow industry-standard practices that are fair and transparent. A professional moving company in NY will explain all charges upfront and avoid placing customers in a financially risky situation.

• Reasonable Deposits: A small deposit—typically between 10% and 20% of the total estimate—is standard in some cases. It’s often refundable or applied to the final balance and always documented in a written agreement.
  
• Payment Upon Completion: Most established moving companies request payment after the job is completed and the customer has verified that everything has arrived in good condition. This approach builds trust and ensures customer satisfaction.
  
• Clear Contracts and Terms: Professional movers provide detailed written agreements that outline the total cost, payment terms, timeline, and services included. This protects both the company and the customer from misunderstandings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do with items I don’t want to take with me?

Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition but no longer needed. Many local charities, thrift shops, and online marketplaces can help you find new homes for these belongings. Recycling or responsibly disposing of things you no longer use can reduce the number of items you have to pack. Holding a garage sale or listing items online can also help lighten your load before moving day. 

How far in advance should I schedule my move?

It’s a good idea to book your move as soon as you know your moving date. For local moves within NY, a few weeks’ notice is often enough. If you’re moving during a busy season, consider reserving your moving company a month or two in advance. Last-minute moves are possible, but you might have fewer options. The earlier you book, the more likely you’ll secure the dates and times that work best for you.

What happens if the move takes longer than expected?

If a move runs longer than planned, it’s usually not a big problem as long as you’ve been clear about timing. Movers may adjust their schedule if they encounter delays, such as traffic or unexpected heavy items. Keeping communication open and being flexible can help everyone manage the situation. If you’re paying by the hour, be prepared for the final cost to reflect the additional time.

What should I pack in my essentials box?

Your essentials box should include things you’ll need right away at your new place. Think about toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, important documents, chargers, and some basic kitchen supplies like utensils, plates, and coffee. Having a first-aid kit and a few snacks on hand can also be helpful. Pack these items separately and keep them with you, not in the moving truck, so you’ll have them as soon as you arrive. 

What do I need to prepare before the movers arrive?

Make sure all your items are packed securely and boxes are sealed and labeled. Clear pathways so movers can easily carry things out without tripping over clutter. Disconnect electronics and appliances if needed, and set aside essentials like medications, important documents, and personal items that you’ll want to keep with you. If you have pets or small children, consider having them stay in a separate area for their safety and to keep the movers’ workspace clear. 

Book Trusted Moving Help With Murphy Moving & Storage in NY!

Choosing the right moving company in NY doesn’t have to be complicated. Murphy Moving & Storage offers dependable, professional service backed by experience and a strong reputation across NY. From packing to transport, every step is handled with care, precision, and respect for what matters most. Trust a team that understands the challenges of moving in NY and makes the process easier from start to finish.

Call today or request a free quote to schedule a move with Murphy Moving & Storage in NY!