Last Updated on: 12th September 2026, 07:28 pm
The right questions to ask movers in Phoenix separate a solid company from a costly mistake. Because Arizona does not license moving companies, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office advises residents to verify movers themselves before booking. A fifteen-minute phone call covering the questions below tells you almost everything you need to know.
At Mentors Moving & Storage, we answer these questions every week. We hold USDOT 2911596 and MC 981013, carry an A+ BBB rating, and complete more than 1,200 Valley moves a year. We put this list together so you can hold every company you call to the same standard, including us.
Table of Contents
Questions About Credentials
Start here. If a company stumbles on these, the rest does not matter.
What is your USDOT number? Every commercial moving truck in Arizona needs one, even for in-state moves. Take the number and check it yourself on the FMCSA SAFER database. Confirm the status is active and the company is authorized for household goods.
Are you the carrier, or a broker? Brokers sell your job to another company. You may never meet the business you researched. Ask for the USDOT number of the crew that will actually show up.
How long have you operated in Phoenix, and where is your facility? A real local address you can look up matters. Compare it to the address on the federal record.
What insurance do you carry? Ask for cargo and liability coverage, and request a certificate of insurance if you are moving into a building that requires one.
Questions About the Estimate
Will you do an in-home or video survey? A quote given over the phone without seeing your belongings will change on move day. ConsumerAffairs notes in its guidance on moving scams that a legitimate company inspects your home in person or by video before quoting.
Is the estimate binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed? This is the single most important pricing question.
| Estimate Type | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Binding | Price is fixed, up or down, based on the listed inventory |
| Non-binding | Price can rise on move day, offering the least protection |
| Binding not-to-exceed | Price cannot go above the quote but can go down, the safest option |
What is the hourly rate, and how many movers does that include? Phoenix labor runs around $79 per hour per mover according to Angi’s 2026 data, with most households paying about $1,685. Rates vary, so confirm what crew size the quote assumes.
What is the minimum number of hours? Most Phoenix companies bill two to three hours minimum, even for a small apartment.
When does the clock start and stop? Some companies charge from the moment the truck leaves the warehouse. Others start at your door. This can change your bill by an hour or more.
What is not included in this price? Ask them to name every possible add-on. Stairs, long carries, bulky item fees, packing materials, shuttle service, and fuel surcharges should all be discussed before you sign.
Questions About Payment
How much deposit do you require? A small deposit under 20% is normal. A demand for a large cash or wire payment before move day is a warning sign, since professional movers are paid on delivery.
What payment methods do you accept? Credit card acceptance matters. It gives you a dispute path that cash and wire transfers do not.
When is final payment due? Payment on delivery is standard. Confirm whether they expect it before or after unloading.
Questions About Protection and Liability
What valuation coverage is included? Basic released value protection pays only 60 cents per pound, which covers a 40-pound television for about $24. Ask what full value protection costs and get the choice in writing.
What happens if something is damaged? Ask about the claims process, the deadline to file, and who handles it. A company that cannot explain its own claims process clearly is telling you something.
Are your movers employees or day laborers? Trained, background-checked employees handle furniture differently than a crew assembled that morning.
Questions Specific to Phoenix
These are the ones people forget, and they matter more here than in most cities.
What time will the crew arrive in summer? Valley crews commonly start between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. from May through September to finish loading before the afternoon peak. A company that wants to start at 11 a.m. in July has not thought it through.
How do you handle heat-sensitive items? Truck interiors in Phoenix can exceed 140 degrees. Ask what they recommend you carry in your own vehicle, such as candles, electronics, medications, and vinyl records.
What happens if a monsoon storm hits on move day? The Arizona monsoon runs June 15 through September 30. Ask about their policy on dust storms, rescheduling, and protecting furniture in sudden rain.
Have you worked in my community before? Gated neighborhoods, HOA move windows, and apartment elevator reservations all affect timing. A local crew will know the drill. Our moving day tips for Phoenix cover what to arrange ahead on your end.
Is there anything you will not move? Most Phoenix movers decline propane and grilling supplies, pets, live plants, alcohol, and scuba gear. Better to learn this now than on move day.
Questions About Services You May Need
Ask whether the company handles your specific situation in-house or subcontracts it out.
- Do you offer packing services, and is partial packing available?
- Do you have storage if my closing dates do not line up?
- Can you move a piano, safe, or artwork with specialty handling?
- Do you handle apartment moves with elevator and dock coordination?
- Do you offer labor only help if I rent my own truck?
- Do you disassemble and reassemble furniture?
A Quick Checklist You Can Bring to the Call
| Category | Must-Ask Question |
|---|---|
| Credentials | What is your USDOT number? |
| Structure | Are you the carrier or a broker? |
| Pricing | Is the estimate binding not-to-exceed? |
| Pricing | When does the clock start? |
| Pricing | What add-on fees could apply? |
| Payment | How much deposit, and what methods? |
| Protection | What valuation coverage is included? |
| Claims | How do I file a damage claim? |
| Phoenix | What time do you start in summer? |
| Phoenix | What is your monsoon policy? |
Run this list against all three quotes you collect. The answers will sort the companies quickly. If a quote comes back unusually low, our guide on spotting moving scams explains what that usually means.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important question to ask a Phoenix mover?
Ask for the USDOT number and verify it on the FMCSA SAFER website. Since Arizona does not license movers, federal registration is the main credential you can independently check.
Should I get a binding or non-binding estimate?
Ask for a binding not-to-exceed estimate. The price cannot rise above the quoted amount but can drop if the job is smaller, which gives you the strongest protection.
How many movers should I ask for?
Two movers suit a studio or one-bedroom, three fit most two-bedroom homes, and four work for three-bedroom houses and larger. A larger crew often costs less overall because the job finishes faster.
What questions matter most for a summer Phoenix move?
Ask about start time, heat handling for sensitive items, and the monsoon policy. Crews that start at 6 a.m. and plan around storms finish faster and safer.
Should I ask for references?
Yes, and also read one-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and the BBB. Complaint patterns tell you more than a star average does.
Ask Us Anything Before You Book
Mentors Moving & Storage is happy to answer every question on this list. We hold USDOT 2911596 and MC 981013, maintain an A+ BBB rating, and average 4.7 stars across 692 reviews. You can see our full Phoenix moving services or call (480) 376-1009 for a free written estimate with no hidden fees.
