Most people hire a mover only a handful of times in their life, so it is hard to know what good looks like. A website and a friendly voice on the phone do not tell you much. The good news is that Texas gives you real tools to check a mover before you hand over your belongings. Here is how we would choose a moving company if we were in your shoes, from the license lookup to the questions to ask on the phone.
Step 1: Confirm the Mover Is Licensed with TxDMV
In Texas, companies that move household goods for pay inside the state are required to register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. That registration comes with a certificate number. Any legitimate Texas mover should give you that number without hesitation.
Then check it yourself:
- Go to the official TxDMV Truck Stop lookup at apps.txdmv.gov/apps/mccs/truckstop/.
- Choose Household Goods Carrier.
- Search the company name or certificate number.
- Make sure the status shows Active and the company name matches the one on your estimate.
Ours is TxDMV #007098595c, and you are welcome to look it up. If a mover says “we’re licensed” but will not give you a number, or the number does not match their name, keep looking.
TxDMV also publishes plain-language consumer guidance for people hiring movers. It is worth a few minutes of reading before you book: Don’t Make a Move Without Us.
Step 2: Get the Estimate in Writing
A phone quote is a starting point, not a contract. Before move day, you should have a written estimate or proposal that spells out:
- How you are being charged. Hourly by crew size, a flat rate, or something else.
- What is included. Furniture pads and wrap, disassembly and reassembly, packing materials if you are buying packing.
- What can change the total. Extra stairs, a long carry, items added on move day, or a longer drive than planned.
- Travel time. Whether it is charged and how it appears on the bill.
- Deposit and cancellation terms. How much it takes to reserve your date and what happens if you reschedule.
The more detail you give the mover up front, the more accurate the estimate. List every large item, tell them about stairs and elevators at both homes, and mention anything unusual like a piano, a safe, or gym equipment. If something big gets left off the list, the estimate will be off too.
Step 3: Ask the Right Questions on the Phone
The quote call is your chance to learn how a company actually works. Good questions include:
- Are you the company doing my move, or will you hand it to someone else?
- Who leads the crew on move day?
- Do you charge for trucks, or just for the crew?
- How do you protect floors, doorways, and furniture?
- Do you take apart and put back together beds and tables?
- What forms of payment do you accept, and when is payment due?
- What happens if I need to reschedule?
Pay attention to how the questions get answered. A good mover gives clear, specific answers and does not rush you to book.
Step 4: Watch for Red Flags
Most moving problems are avoidable if you notice the warning signs early:
- No certificate number, or a number that does not match the company name in the TxDMV lookup.
- A price that seems far lower than everyone else without a clear reason. A lowball phone quote can grow once your things are on the truck.
- “We’ll figure out the price later.” If someone wants to load first and talk numbers afterward, walk away.
- Unmarked trucks or a company that answers the phone only as “Movers.”
- Cash only, or a large cash deposit with nothing in writing.
- Pressure to decide on the spot, or a refusal to send anything in writing.
- No physical presence in the community, no reviews, and no way to reach a real person.
Step 5: Read Reviews the Right Way
Reviews help, but read them for patterns, not just stars. Look for comments about how the crew treated the home, whether the final bill matched the estimate, and how the company handled a problem when one came up. A company that responds calmly and fixes issues tells you more than a page of perfect five-star reviews. You can read what customers say about us on our reviews page.
Step 6: Compare Apples to Apples
When you collect two or three quotes, make sure they cover the same things. One mover may include furniture disassembly and pads, another may charge for them. One may quote a crew of three, another a crew of two that will take longer. Line up the details before you compare totals.
What We Do at Elite Star
We are a family owned and operated moving company based in Buda. With 20+ years of experience, our team returns your quote call, answers your questions, does a pre-move survey before every move, and puts your estimate in writing. Single items are welcome too. Local moves are priced by the hour based on crew size, with no truck fees, and travel time is listed separately on your quote. Hector Jr leads the crew on move day. We are licensed with TxDMV (#007098595c), insured, and BBB-registered, and our deposit and cancellation policy is posted for anyone to read.
Whether you hire us or someone else, take ten minutes to check the license and read the estimate. It is the best protection you have.
Quick FAQs
Do Texas movers need a license?
Companies that move household goods for pay within Texas must register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and receive a certificate number. You can check any mover’s status on the TxDMV Truck Stop lookup.
Is the lowest quote the best deal?
Not always. Compare what each quote includes: crew size, truck fees, travel time, furniture protection, and disassembly. A low phone quote that leaves things out can end up costing more.
Should I pay a deposit?
Many reputable movers take a deposit to reserve your date. Make sure the deposit amount and the cancellation terms are in writing before you pay.
Planning a Move? We Can Handle It.
Elite Star Movers is a family owned and operated moving company based in Buda, serving all areas around Austin and down the I-35 corridor to San Antonio. Request a free quote or call (512) 358-7827 (main) or toll-free (855) 358-7827. Our team returns quote calls, and Hector Jr leads the crew on move day.
Serving People & Protecting Furniture, Peace by Piece.
Verify us: TxDMV #007098595c · Look us up on TxDMV Truck Stop · Family owned and operated · BBB-registered
More guides: Moving Tips & Resources · Moving FAQ
