Check the mover's California license and any interstate authority

First decide whether the move stays in California or crosses a state line. BHGS says companies moving household goods within, into, or out of California must hold its license. Check the BHGS lookup and make sure the mover is authorized to operate. Match the legal name and permit record to the estimate, agreement, website, and truck. A move across state lines also needs the federal check below.

For a move entirely within California, a written estimate must follow a visual inspection of the goods. A verbal or online hourly-rate quote is not a binding estimate of the total cost. Normally, the moving-services agreement is due at least 3 days before the move. Short-notice bookings and a permitted waiver can change advance timing, but you must receive the completed agreement, including its Not to Exceed price, before the move begins. A change order must cover added services you request; it cannot simply fix the mover’s low estimate.

Keep every signed paper, inventory, photo, and payment record. For a move within California, the tariff requires a written loss or damage claim within 9 months after delivery. If the goods are not delivered, the period runs from when a reasonable delivery time has elapsed.

For a move across state lines, use the FMCSA mover search. Check the current household-goods authority, insurance, U.S. DOT number, company type, and complaint history. A California permit does not replace federal interstate authority. A broker is not the carrier that takes possession of the goods.