Choose the Right Moving Partner: Moving Company or Move Broker

Understanding Your Options 

Moving soon? You’ll have to decide whether you’ll be moving yourself, leaving the bulk of the job to a professional mover or using a broker to find someone to transport your belongings. Each option comes with its own benefits and challenges. And it ultimately will come down to factors like your budget, your timeline and the physical work involved.  

For this article let’s assume that someone other than yourself will be handling your move. Therefore, it’s important that you thoroughly understand the difference between a professional full-service moving company like United Van Lines and a move broker. Let’s dive in!  

Real Moving Companies: Direct and Reliable

Advantages of Hiring a Moving Company

Hiring a full-service mover like United vs. a broker is an investment not only in money, but also in your own peace of mind. Every move involves more than a bit of trust between you and the people you’ve hired to transport your possessions. You want a partner who understands your needs and goes the extra mile to deliver. 

Direct Communication

Large nationwide movers like United understand the importance of keeping you in the loop. For example, customers who move with us are automatically assigned a move coordinator who functions as a single point of contact. If you have a question of concern, they’re only an email, text or phone call away. 

Comprehensive Services

In addition to loading and unloading your items, full-service moving companies such as United will offer a variety of add-on services such as packing and unpacking, storage, car shipping, and special handling for unique items. 

Regulated Protection 

By law, traditional full-service, interstate moving companies like United must offer a choice of at least two liability options at no additional cost before a move is scheduled. With the first option, your mover assumes minimal liability in case of loss or damage occurring during transit. With the second, or ‘full value’ option, your mover assumes a much higher liability for any claims you may need to file. These protection options can be crucial in case of accidents or unforeseen circumstances.   

This is why every first quote from United includes our Full Value protection option. It can be waived in favor of the minimum liability option if that’s your preference.  

Potential Challenges of Using a Moving Company

You might assume that using United or a similar full-service mover will cost you more than using a move broker, but this isn’t necessarily true. Our move quotes reflect actual services and protections and we strive to be as transparent as possible. 

One thing we need to emphasize is that research and preparation are key to a stress-free move. Book as far in advance as possible — preferably eight or more weeks out — to lock in your preferred date.  

Move Brokers: Convenience at a Cost 

The upfront cost of a broker-negotiated move can seem very attractive — and they are often more flexible when it comes to scheduling. But that’s not the whole story. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using the services of a move broker. 

Benefits of Using a Broker 

The advantage a move broker (sometimes known as a “platform,” “dispatch service,” or similar name) — has over full-service movers is that they can potentially save you time and money. They connect you with moving companies offering the best rates, which also saves you having to research and reach out to potential movers individually. Responsible move brokers follow applicable federal regulations that require them to enter contracts with all their network of full-service movers.  

Risks to Consider

One of the most significant differences between a broker and a traditional moving company is that brokers don’t own the moving equipment, nor do they have any direct involvement in the actual move. If there’s an issue, you may find yourself caught in the middle without an ally to whom you can turn.  

If you use the services of a move broker, you may find your choices are more limited and you could wind up with a mix of companies handling your possessions. This means you could be caught between an array of different schedules and standards of service.  

Since brokers aren’t directly affiliated with the actual packers and movers, they don’t have to take any responsibility for what happens throughout the move process. And to ensure a healthy profit margin for themselves they may recommend the cheapest option over quality service, resulting in subpar (and unlicensed) movers handling your precious possessions. Also be aware that some brokers may bypass regulations and provide quotes that aren’t based on actual rates and charges, leading to artificially low (and misleading) quotes. 

Key Considerations for a Successful Move 

Now that you have a general idea of how a full-service mover like United works versus a move broker, here are a few things you’ll need to address before the van pulls up. 

Protecting Yourself from Scams

Since you first went online to get a quote, have you noticed a lot of incoming calls from the Sunshine State? Chances are more likely you’re dealing with a move broker. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Florida has more move brokers than any other state. What’s more, the Federal Department of Transportation (USDOT) revealed that half of all moving scam-related complaints submitted in 2023 came out of Florida.   

This is where online professional and customer reviews will be greatly beneficial in navigating through your various moving options. Customer sites such as Yelp are a good start — and don’t fail to check whether your mover or broker appears on the Better Business Bureau website. In addition, FMCSA will have key information about whether you’re dealing with a registered broker. Their number is (800) 832-5660. 

Want more help? Here are tips for spotting moving scams and the best ways to avoid them. 

Comparing Quotes

Not only is every move different, but moving quotes are not all calculated the same way. Whether you use a traditional mover or a broker, some red flags to look out for right away include the following:  

• Providing a quote without an in-person or virtual survey beforehand 
• A price that seems suspiciously low 
• Lack of detail about what’s included in the price 
• Requiring upfront payment before moving day 

Always make sure you’re aware of exactly what the quoted move price covers. As a guideline, we suggest you look at what’s included in a United full-service move.  

Making the Right Choice for Your Move

With a full-service mover, you’ll know that someone besides you is carefully monitoring every aspect of the move process, including any additional services you might need. With a broker, you’ll probably feel less in control of your move and more apt to see unexpected charges and lapses in service. It’s really up to you whether you’re willing to sacrifice full-service accountability for potential cost savings.   

Ready to Move with United Van Lines, America’s #1 Mover®? 

Now that you know the difference between move brokers and full-service movers like United, it’s easy to see how we could be a key factor in making your move less stressful. After all, we’ve helped more than millions of families make the same journey. 

Our flexible full-service moving packages have been carefully designed with customer needs in mind. Not to mention tools like the MyUnited Move Portal let you track moving milestones, book your move online and access a library of expert moving tips for a smooth experience.