Get Quotes from Top Movers in Fort Worth, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Fort Worth?

Per state law, moving companies must register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) before operating in Fort Worth. If a moving company fails to comply with this requirement, it could be fined up to $30,000.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' eLINC platform allows individuals to complete the registration process for their moving company. The department reviews applications within 24 to 48 hours. After that, the applicant receives an email with additional instructions. After the application has been approved, the applicant receives a Unique Identification Number (UID) that they can use to provide their insurance companies with details about their insurance obligations. Once the moving company completes the registration process, the applicant receives an email that informs them that they have to log in to a separate MCCS platform to pay the applicable registration fees, which completes the registration process.

After the registration process is complete, the UID is converted to a Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) Certificate Number, which allows the moving company to legally provide moving services in Fort Worth and the State of Texas.

Before you hire a moving company, make sure that it has been registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. This ensures that the company you hire is licensed and has the necessary resources to carry out the job. You can check this through the Texas Truck Stop online search platform. You can also check the status of your registration application by calling (800) 299-1700 and pressing options 3-4-3. For inquiries regarding the registration process for commercial vehicles used by movers, you can contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at (800) 299-1700.

Aside from completing the necessary registration process in the state, moving companies in Fort Worth must also meet various local business requirements to operate in the city. These include registering with the Texas Secretary of State if the moving company wants to operate as a limited liability company or an incorporated firm. In addition, the moving company must register with the Tarrant County Clerk's Office located at:

Also, the moving company must get a federal tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service. You can contact the Texas Secretary of State at (512) 463-5555 for more information regarding the registration process for moving companies in Fort Worth.

Suppose you intend to move your items from Texas to another state in the country. In that case, it is a good idea to check if the Federal Motor Safety Administration has authorized the company you are considering for the interstate moving services. You can use the online search portal provided by the FMCSA to verify if they have been duly authorized.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Fort Worth?

An excellent way to determine if your intended moving company in Fort Worth is suitable for the job is by looking at how much they will charge you for the moving services. Various factors can affect the total amount you will have to pay for their services, including the distance of the move, the number of movers involved, the size/weight of the items being moved, and accessibility to the moving locations. It's important to note that the moving company's rates cannot exceed the maximum rates and charges provided by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Nonetheless, it is essential to get written estimates from multiple moving companies in the area. This will allow you to compare their prices and make an informed decision before finalizing the work contract. Also, even though getting a low-cost estimate is nice, this shouldn't be the sole factor determining your hiring decision. You should also consider other factors such as the condition of their facilities and reputation. In addition, make sure that they have all the necessary equipment and materials to complete the job effectively.

Transportation and material moving workers in Fort Worth earn an average annual wage of $42,890. The list below compares the average hourly wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of the State of Texas as well as several other major cities in the country:

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Fort Worth Regulations?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDMV) sets weight and size limits for all vehicles used on the state's roads and bridges. Before a moving company can use a vehicle or carry loads that exceed these stated limits, it must obtain a permit from the department. The department has several permit options that are available to first-time applicants. If a moving company needs advice on choosing the right permit fit for their job specification, they can call the TxDMV toll-free number 1-800-299-1700 for assistance. Alternatively, the moving company can go to the department's TxPROS online permitting system and create a user account to access the system's features. Once logged in, they can select the Permit Wizard option.

Once the permit option has been determined, the relevant application form can be submitted online via the TxPROS permitting system or by mailing it to the address provided on the form. Before a permit is issued, a fee is usually required. Once a permit has been issued, the permittee will be required to comply with the various permit restrictions currently in place in Fort Worth. For instance, permitted vehicles that cannot reduce axle weights for 58,420 pounds may travel on GVW Load Zoned highways only if the load has an origin or destination on these highways.

Permittees can contact the Fort Worth District of the Texas Department of Transportation at (817) 370-6527 for more information regarding permit restrictions applicable to commercial vehicles in the city. For questions regarding the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requirements and conditions for oversized and overweight permits, you can contact the agency's toll-free number at 1-800-299-1700 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

Fort Worth's moving companies provide various services, such as:

• Commercial moving services
• Residential moving services
• Specialty moving services.

Commercial and residential moving services involve relocating one's home or office to another location. These services can be performed within the city, in different cities, or even across the country. Meanwhile, specialty moving services involve add-on services like the installation of furniture, item packing and unpacking, and the storage of various household goods.

Before hiring a moving company, you must confirm they have the necessary resources and equipment to provide you with the best possible moving service. Confirm their availability from the company, and then request an inspection of their facilities and moving vehicles to ensure they are up to the task. Then, get an estimate of charges and rates before you finalize an agreement with a moving company. Consider it a red flag if the company doesn't provide this information after inspecting the items that have to be moved.

Cost estimates for some services that are commonly offered by movers in Fort Worth are provided below:

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Before or after the move, you may need to pack and store various items depending on the nature of the moving task. If you need a moving company that can provide you with all of the services you need, such as storage and transportation, hiring them instead of using multiple moving companies is advisable. This ensures that the entire process is handled by one company, eliminating the possibility of errors and delays during the move.

Some common situations where a homeowner in Fort Worth may require a storage facility when relocating include:

• The new home is not ready yet
• They would like to move their items at their own pace.
• They would like to ensure that their belongings are in a secure location while decluttering other items.

In addition, you should choose a moving company in Fort Worth that will be able to provide you with the necessary parking services. There are various types of parking services that they offer, and these include:

• Full packing or unpacking: This process involves packing and unpacking all your belongings from the current home to the new house. This usually involves the movers handling all aspects of the move.
• Unpacking or partial packing: It is a process that involves packing and unpacking only the items that have been specified.
• Self-packing/unpacking: This process involves the homeowner taking the initiative and putting their items in the boxes. The movers then wrap the items and place them in the locations where they have been requested. The homeowner also unpacks their times when they are moved to the desired location.

Always confirm with your intended moving company what they will do with your items during the packing process and when they are in storage. It's also important to check out the company's facility and ensure that it's secure and well-equipped. Some movers also charge separately for storage, while others include the cost of this service in their total charges. Ensure you have all the estimates correctly for the move from the moving company.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Fort Worth?

Moving can be a stressful and energy-consuming process, and it is important to show appreciation to the company that provides the best possible moving services by tipping the movers. Although the standard for tipping in Fort Worth is $5 to $10 per mover, you can also check with the company to see their tipping amount. Although tipping is not obligatory, it is still important to consider the following factors when deciding the amount you should give to the movers.

• The complexity of the move.
• Their punctuality
• How well they treated your items
• Their general demeanor

If you are not satisfied with the movers' work, then it is unlikely that you will tip them. Instead, if any of the movers were rude, disrespectful, or manhandled your items, you should report them to the moving company.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Fort Worth?

Road crashes are estimated to cost the United States around $380 million in direct medical costs annually. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, over 1,000 fatal accidents and over 200,000 non-fatal injuries were reported in the transportation and material moving industry.

Hiring a moving company with the proper insurance coverage and bonding can help minimize your financial liability if something goes wrong during your move. Hiring an uninsured moving company means you will incur liabilities, like paying for the damages and being held liable for the cost of treating the injuries sustained while on your moving job.

Moving companies in Fort Worthmusto maintain certain insurance minimums per Rule 218.16 of the Texas Administrative Code. The applicable insurance requirements include:

• Cargo insurance of at least $5,000 for loss or damage to total cargo carried by one vehicle. Alternatively, $10,000 for aggregate loss or damage to multiple shipper cargoes carried on one vehicle.
• Automobile liability insurance of at least $300,000 when moving items with a gross weight that is less than 26,000 pounds
• Liability insurance of at least $500,000 when moving items with a gross weight that is more than 26,000 pounds
• Accidental or workers' compensation insurance coverage of at least $300,000 for medical expenses and $100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment

Before hiring a moving company in the city, ensure they have all the necessary licenses and insurance requirements. Doing so can protect you from legal trouble if something goes wrong during your move. You can request a copy of their insurance certificate and make sure you authenticate such certificate with the issuing insurance provider. You can also contact the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles at (800) 299-1700 to get more information about the insurance requirements for moving companies in Fort Worth.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Fort Worth?

Before hiring a moving company in Fort Worth, ensure that they can provide you with references and letters of recommendation from their previous clients. Typically, a reputable moving company will not hesitate to give references from past clients. If they are unwilling to provide these details, it's a red flag that they cannot meet your expectations. Some companies will also provide testimonials and reviews from their past clients on their websites. However, it's essential to ask them for references so that you can get a first-hand account of their experiences.